Corporate Accounting

Purpose

To provide:

Effective financial management and asset consulting and support to council management.

Corporate accounting comprises of the following four departments:

Budget office

Established in terms of section 80 (1) of the Municipal Finance Management Act, the budget office is responsible for the overall planning, direction, management and co-ordination for the implementation of eThekwini’s budget.

Main focus areas

• Strategic planning and budget process guidelines
• Preparation of the draft estimate and tariff reports
• Managment of the consolidation and presentation of the budgets for the council and its entities
• Assisting in the alignment of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP)
• Budget monitoring and control. Preparation of  end-year comparative reports, dashboard
  financial indicators and financial information for the municipal manager, mayor, provincial and national treasury
• Providing strategic advice and support to line departments
• Implementation of budget reforms in terms of National Treasury guidelines
• Implemenation and management of tariff policies that govern tariffs and co-ordinating the determination of tariffs
• Preparation of a long-term and medium-term expenditure framework in terms of the city’s vision, IDP and  Long-term Development Framework
• Development and maintenance of a financial model
• Completion of various statistical returns
• Compliance with budget and financial issues in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act

Financial statements

The financial statements department is responsible for the overall planning, direction, management and co-ordination for the preparation of eThekwini’s annual financial statements.

Main focus areas

• Managing the consolidation and presentation of the financial statements for council and its entities
• Co-ordinating the preparation of audit working papers
• Attending to areas of weakness as identified in the Auditors Report
• Implementing Generally Accepted Municipal Accounting Practices (GAAAP)
• Improving financial management reporting
• Processing of Value Added Tax returns
• Authorising amendments to the chart of accounts

Capital

The purpose of the capital department is to manage, co-ordinate and control the activities of the capital branch to ensure that council as a whole meets its legislative and other statutory obligations in preparing and maintaining the capital budget and the fixed assets register.

Main focus areas

• Compiling the capital budget programme, determining strategic splits and linking the capital budget to the IDP.
• Consolidating and presenting the capital budget for council.
• Capital project monitoring and control. Preparing monthly capital comparative financial information for the Municipal Manager and Mayor.
• Providing strategic advice, support and training to line departments in respect of all capital aspects.
• Ensuringcompliance with the National Treasury budget reforms.
• Controlling and co-ordinating the allocation of capital savings.
• Reconciling various types of funding and the allocation of council funding.
• Calculating depreciation charges of municipal assets.
• Maintaining and controlling the fixed assets register.
• Ensuring compliance of the asset register to the annual financial statements.

Accounts payable

The core functions of the department are to ensure the efficient payment of creditors taking cognisence of the payment terms, reconciling creditors statements and administering the supplier master database.

Methods of payment

The main methods of payment is via electronic funds transfers (EFTs) or cheques. No disbursement of cash take place.

Where can I collect my cheque?

9th floor
Shell house
221 smith street
Durban

Why EFTs?

EFTs are the preferred method of payment as it is considered more secure, eliminating cheque fraud. EFTs will also avoid delays and problems associated with the postal system and in certain instances the inconveinance of collecting cheques, thus ensuring timeous payments.

How do I register for EFT?

To register for EFT, the EFT application form needs to be completed (EFT registration form download) and submitted together with the following documentation:

Banking details on an authorised company letterhead

Should the bank account be held by an individual, a certified copy of their identity document would be required

Cancelled cheque, bank statement or letter from the banking confirming the details on the application form

Valid VAT certificate

Applications can be dropped off personally or posted to:

Accounts payable
EFT Registration
PO Box 828
Durban
4000

Please note that only the original of the registration form will be accepted, no faxed or photocopies of the applications will be permitted.

Who should I contact should I have a query?

General Outstanding Accounts
T.W. Hunt
Tel: +27 31 311 3357
Email: hunt@durban.gov.za

Creditors address book and EFT registration
K. Naicker
Tel: +27 31 311 3387
Email: naickerkj@durban.gov.za

Cheque and EFT payments
Y. Ismail
Tel: +27 31 311 3416
Email:

Cheque collections / changes
E. Lees (Mrs)
Tel: +27 31 311 3392
Email: leese@durban.gov.za