Benefits of an accounting adviser

Amid tightened budgets, constrained resources, evolving requirements, and a scarcity of talent, in-house accounting and reporting functions are being asked to be more strategic and add value. Here are eight possible benefits of an accounting adviser:

• An experienced perspective – Ae you facing challenges such as talent shortages, increasing responsibilities, and the need for insights to help inform your accounting conclusions in your finance team? How can accounting advisers with deep and diverse experience across industries help you to address these issues?
• Lead an open dialogue – Are you struggling with auditor engagement? How can having an open dialogue with an accounting adviser about transaction structures and their accounting implications help you to alleviate these issues?
• Translate the nuances of accounting guidance – Struggling to explain complex accounting guidance to non-finance leaders and preparing for Board or audit Committee presentations? What are the benefits of having an experienced accounting adviser assist with these tasks?
• Advocate for a chosen approach – Facing difficulties advocating for your approach in discussion with our independent auditor, especially on judgmental accounting issues where differing views might arise? Find out the benefits of having an accounting adviser assist in these scenarios.
• Examine alternative angles – What are the potential advantages of an accounting adviser’s insight into diverse accounting conclusions, particularly when a company’s resources limit exploration of optional strategies?
• Address thorny issues early – Dealing with last-minute complications due to late identification and resolution of complex accounting issues? How can accounting advisers help you to identify complex problems in advance?
• Improve internal controls – Struggling with improving internal controls, assessing the control environemnt, and controlling complex transactions? How can an accounting adviser help you address these issues?
• Improve audit readiness: Are you struggling with the demands of the financial statement and internal controls audit while maintaining your day job? Wondering how can an accounting adviser with an audit background help address these issues? Learn about the potential advantages they provide

Empower your accounting by considering a cosourcing model with our senior experienced consultants.

Our team of experienced professionals, world-recognized professionals in their field, and are involved in a wide range of engagements related to accounting services, economics and finance. We provide critical insight and expertise in legal and regulatory reporting to enable strategic decision-making by executive management teams.

Get in touch with our global experienced teams and discover how our decades-long expertise can empower your business

At Morningside Consulting and Training Group we have invested substantially to develop a disciplined, standardized methodology to drive udit quality and objectivity. Our professionals are trained in the same methodology, ensuring the consistently high standards our stakeholders can expect of our team.

To privately-owned companies we offer the services of trusted business advisors – dedicated staff that are trained and experienced in working with owner-managed and or family-controlled companies. Your trusted business advisor approaches your audit from a different perspective since that audit of a privately-owned company is usually conducted in a less complex environemnt than that of a corporate organization. through your trusted business advisory, we offer you a “one stop” solution and access to all our services including tax planning, legal advice and a myriad of business advisory services.

We also offer industry expertise and sound working knowledge, best practice and benchmarking opportunities within specific industries. Our high-quality, risk-based audit approach also relies on the support of information system specialists from our senior auditors.

How we can add value

Adding value through our audit service

In performing audit, we will strive to go beyond a financial statement opinion to help you identify and manage your risks – control, compliance and operational – as well as generate value-added ideas and solutions.

We will:

• Focus on understanding your strategic business plans and operational processes in addition to the financial statements.
• Perform a thorough risk assessment to develop the audit plan.
• Develop an audit that builds on a growing understanding of your internal controls, policies and procedures, recognizing the importance of internal controls.
• Include industry and subject matter experts in the audit process as part of your service team.
• Assess your financial statement compliance and
• Emphasize continuous and open communication with management.

Our approach:

• Be controlled centrally by our trusted business advisor to ensure an defective process.
• Evolve with your business, responding quickly to changes in risk profile and organizational structure.
• Challenge your people, including those outside of the finance function, reinforcing their responsibility for the integrity of the financial information on which you depend to run the business.
• Provide assurance confirming that effective management and governance are in place an that key systems and controls are operating effectively, and 
• Be forward-looking, providing feedback that is relevant to the way you run the business.

Get in touch 

Top Benefits of Business Intelligence (BI) for Companies 

By using tools to analyze data and drive better business decisions, organizations can improve their operations and gain the benefits and advantages outlined here.

Business intelligence software’s roots can be traced back to the mainframe-based decision support systems of the 1960s, but BI technology has continuously evolved in response to advances in data architecture and new business demands. Modern BI tools can be deployed in the cloud or on enterprise servers, desktops and even mobile devices. Here are 10 key BI benefits that make for better business operations, ideally leading to increased revenue, higher profits and a competitive advantage over business rivals.

1. More informed decision-making – It’s easy to say “better decisions” without really specifying what that means. First, BI tools provide timely access to information that’s validated for accuracy, giving executives and operational workers a true picture of the business when it’s needed for decision-making. BI applications can approach near-real-time data insights for fast-moving businesses. They can discover or draw attention to trends and patterns in business data that might otherwise go unnoticed. In this way, BI reduces the reliance on intuition and guesswork in tactical decision-making and strategic planning. Taken together, all of this improves decisions and avoids flawed ones that can result in business errors and missteps.
2. Increased operational efficiency – One of the most time-consuming aspects of data analysis has always been preparing data and ensuring that it’s high-quality. Designing these processes can still be a significant effort – but once that’s completed, BI tools can automate regular data collection and processing, even in desktop systems. They also automate the updating and distribution of reports and BI dashboards in various formats, from PDF files to mobile apps. This saves time and effort, and because business users are free from manual data handling, they can focus on more strategic, higher-value tasks. In addition, some BI tools, through features such as process mining, can highlight inefficiencies in business intelligence workflows and provide actionable insights that guide additional optimizations and cost reductions. Likewise, corporate executives and business managers can use the results generated by BI applications to make business operations more efficient. BI helps optimize business processes and resource allocation to ensure that time, effort and money are put to the best use possible in companies.
3. Improved financial and strategic performance – BI software is frequently used to deliver detailed financial insights. Real-time tracking of financial metrics enables businesses to quickly adopt new tactics in response to market changes. They can then allocate resources more effectively and optimize spending. BI tools are often used alongside budgeting and planning applications, providing the analytics insights that in turn drive budgeting decisions. Most BI tools include features for setting KPIs and then monitoring and reporting on them with simple dashboards that enable managers to see the current state of their business against the strategic plan at a glance. 
4. Deeper customer insights – Customer behavior is a complex topic for many businesses because it changes over time in response to economic conditions, competitive pressures and personal preferences. BI tools are frequently used by both product and marketing teams to gain a deeper understanding of customers and market trends. In particular, the tools provide a structured framework for analyzing customer interactions across multiple touchpoints. Customers can then be categorized for more effective marketing, and changes in their buying behavior can be tracked over time. With these so-called customer intelligence insights, companies can develop new products and marketing strategies, to the extent of creating personalized recommendations for individual customers. This can increase customer retention and lifetime value, and it also feeds into improved customer support, product design and service delivery.
5. Better market intelligence – External data, such as competitive intelligence, economic and market data, provides crucial context for tactical and strategic planning. For example, in rapidly developing markets, such as new product categories, companies need to respond quickly to changing market conditions and emerging business opportunities. Integrating external data into BI software enables analysis of current business performance with that extra context, which is highly valuable for strategic decision-making. Similarly, companies use BI not only to manage their internal performance but also to benchmark against other companies in their industry. These benchmarking techniques require sophisticated analytics tools that can normalize and compare data across different organizations and market segments. The insights provided by BI tools enable companies to adapt teir strategies with increased agility while also identifying opportunities to differentiate their products or services in the market.
6. Improved data quality and access – In contemporary businesses, data isn’t used only by BI and data analytics teams. As mentioned previously, applications such as budgeting and planning are deeply informed by data. Similarly, project management efforts, product development process and pricing strategies might extensively be based on data from customer and financial records as well as other sources.BI systems consolidate data from multiple sources, providing a single, unified view with improved data quality and consistency. This ensures that decision-making is based on accurate and up-to=date information, which minimizes analytics errors and discrepancies. Wider access of data also promotes increased cross-departmental collaboration.
7. Predictive views of business trends and issues – BI tools increasingly include features that would have been considered quite advanced just a few years ago – capabilities such as predictive analytics and machine learning, for example. These technologies uncover patterns in historical data, and by comparing the patterns to incoming new data, they can predict future trends and potential business challenges. That enables businesses to take a proactive approach to changes in the market, new opportunities and internal issues. To make such technologies more accessible, companies can implement BI tools as augmented analytics features, which are designed to automatically discover insights and present them to business users with suggestions for action or further investigations.
8. Enhanced collaboration and communication – As important aspect of improved decision-making is the ability to collaborate with other users to validate decision or gain additional insights before taking action. The dashboards and reports created in BI platforms can be easily shared across business teams for comments ad collaboration. 
9. Reduced costs and financial waste – Many of the most difficult business decisions come at times of difficulty or crisis, and they often involve having to make cuts and reduce costs. In all cases, corporate executives and business managers need to make decisions under pressure, but they need to make the best decisions possible. Data-driven decision-making becomes particularly crucial at such times. By analyzing operational data, BI tools provide systematic approaches to identifying areas where costs can be reduced without compromising core business functions, through measures such as eliminating redundant processes and financial waste. BI tools can also be used to categorize expenses in order to better understand where costs can be trimmed and the potential impact of any cost reductions.
10. Stronger compliance and risk management – Regulatory compliance is a necessary burden for businesses, some more so than others. While all companies face some degree of regulation, industries such as healthcare and financial services are subject to an increasingly complex regulatory environment that requires sophisticated monitoring and reporting capabilities. BI tools can be used to track compliance metrics and degenerate automated reports and benchmarks to meet regulatory obligations. It can also go further and help monitor potential business risks as they emerge, in real time, so organizations can respond quickly. For example, BI tools can aid financial services firms in fraud and credit analysis. Similarly, in manufacturing, Total Quality Management practices require regular or continuous auditing of production and quality problems. Reports and dashboards are essential tools for quality managers working to keep stay on top of issues as they arise.

Talk to our experienced consultants to identify and develop the most suitable BI solution customized for your unique business and industry challenges

Strategy & Operations Consulting

We work alongside your teams to help transform your capabilities systems, solving problems right from the start, while building resilience for the future. Our global network of Strategy & Operations professionals draws on the strength of MCTG Consulting’s full suite of professional services and industry experience to focus solutions on the real issues affecting businesses today.

What MCTG Consulting Strategy & Operations Consulting can do for you

Leading companies are taking big, transformative steps, redefining their purpose, embarking on end-to-end digital transformations and learning how to achieve disruptive innovation in a rapidly shifting market environment.

We have the breath of perspectives and depth of experience to provide strategic advice to help achieve optimal – and sustainable – results.

We create a custom approach tailored to each client’s unique situation and bring extensive business and sector experience with tested analytical techniques. As experienced advisors to the C-Suite, MCTG Consulting helps you answer:

• How can I seize growth opportunities and competitive advantage?
• What are the appropriate revenue, profitability and sustainability targets for my business?
• How can I better anticipate and adapt to digital transformation?
• Can I use an M&A strategy as an accelerant to achieve profitable growth goals?
• When is a divesture best for my long-term value?
• How can I build and secure liquidity, managing the impact of disruption between finance and operations?
• How can I win the competition for capital?

For more insights on corporate and growth strategies, transaction strategy and execution, restructuring and turnaround strategy, digital strategy consulting, get in touch 

Corporate Forensic Investigations – Benefits

Corporate crime poses a real and substantial threat to businesses sustainability: undetected and unchecked, it can create costly long-term problems, regardless of an organization’s size, geography, industry or scope.

When you’re facing an investigation, allegation or crisis it’s essential to get to the important facts as quickly as possible. But these events typically come out of the bule, catching the organization unaware. We are here to support organizations and individuals at every stage, from identifying, extracting and analyzing relevant data, to helping them to prevent the same emergency and to understand what happened and why.

Fraud and theft involving anything from intellectual property to inventory, from cybercrime to corruption, can result in widespread difficulties for your organization. 

Transparency means more investigations

Businesses worldwide are under increasing pressure to demonstrate high ethical standards and meet stakeholder demands for transparency. Investigation, whether mandated by regulators or instigated internally, are on the rise as a result.

A range of diverse events and crises can warrant a thorough investigation, including:

• Corporate irregularities
• Asset misappropriation
• Regulatory breaches
• Improper business relationships or conflicts of interest
• Patent and copyright infringement
• Suspicious transactions
• Bribery and corruption
• Whistleblower reports or tip-offs

Dealing with these events effectively takes time, effort and investment. Allegations must be investigated thoroughly, discreetly and quickly, with the minimum disruptions to the business – requiring skills that typically go beyond the capabilities of a business

We are here to help you.

Our team of experienced investigators includes forensic accountants, lawyers, former law enforcement agents, experts in forensic technology and global intelligence specialists, and we have provided support on many of the highest profile matters in recent years.

Corporate Regulatory Compliance 

What is Corporate Compliance? Why is it Important?

Corporate compliance is vital for maintaining legal and ethical standards, protecting the company from risks, and ensuring long-term sustainability. 

Every business, regardless of their size, must follow Corporate Compliance in order to keep their operations running smoothly. It is the only way to make sure that your business steers clear of risks or legal issues. While it may feel like a hassle, maintaining corporate compliance can save huge unseen costs for your organization. 

Overlooking the importance of keeping up corporate compliance can result in fines, penalties, lawsuits and damage to reputation. So, it’s best not to go down that road and develop a compliance program that can help your organization steer clear or potential problems.

Our cross-disciplinary team is equipped with deep expertise across the corporate regulatory spectrum, from bespoke solution development and corporate regulatory program architecture to privacy laws and various legislative compliance landscapes and has a track record of serving as trusted advisors when clients are facing their greatest opportunities and challenges.

For more customized solutions, let our senior experienced consultants leverage their costs-cutting expertise and help you identify your opportunities while addressing any industry-wide challenges you might facing.

Implementing an Energy Management System (EMS) offers numerous advantages that enhance operational efficiency and sustainability. Key benefits include:

• Energy Savings and Cost Reduction: EMS enables organizations to monitor and optimize energy consumption, effectively reducing waste. This leads to significant cost savings by lowering utility expenses and improving overall energy efficiency.
• Environmental Impact Mitigation: By decreasing energy usage, EMS contributes to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the carbon footprint. This aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and promotes corporate environmental responsibility.
• Regulatory Compliance: EMS assists businesses in adhering to standards such as Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and ISO 50001. Compliance with these regulations ensures legal adherence and enhances corporate reputation.
• Operational Efficiency: IN manufacturing facilities, EMS improves energy usage by identifying inefficiencies and implementing optimization strategies. This leads to enhanced productivity and reduces operational costs.
• Strategic Decision-Making: EMS provides real-time data analytics, empowering organizations to make informed decisions regarding energy management. This supports long-term sustainability planning and resource allocation.

Real-World Examples of EMS Benefits

• 3M Company: By implementing an EMS across 56 sites globally, 3M achieved substantial energy savings and enhanced energy efficiency. The system facilitated continuous improvement in energy performance, contributing to the company’s sustainability goals.
• Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd.: The adoption of an EMS led to significant energy-saving benefits. Including a reduction in energy consumption and improved energy management practices. This initiative supported the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
• HARBEC Inc.: Through the implementation of an EMS, HARBEC achieved energy savings and improved operational efficiency. The system enabled real-time energy consumption monitoring, leading to informed decision-making and cost reductions.

These cases demonstrate the tangible benefits of EMS implementation, including cost savings, enhanced energy efficiency, and support for sustainability objectives.

Key Components of an Energy Management System (EMS)

A well-implemented energy Management System (EMS) is a combination of tools, processes, and strategies that work together to optimize energy consumption and improve sustainability. By leveraging the following components, organizations can achieve operational excellence and reduce environmental impact.

1. Energy Monitoring and Metering

Accurate data collection is the foundation of any EMS. Smart meters and sensors continuously track energy consumption across operations, providing real-time data for analysis. This granular visibility helps businesses identify usage patterns, detect wastage, and set benchmarks for improvement. Effective monitoring also supports compliance with energy efficiency standards and improves decision-making.

1. Energy Audits

Regular energy audits are essential for identifying inefficiencies and uncovering opportunities to reduce energy waste. Audits assess energy usage, equipment performance, and process efficiency, enabling business to implement corrective actions. Morningside Consulting’s energy audit solutions streamline this process by combining comprehensive assessments with actionable insights. 

1. Energy Efficiency Measures

Implementing measures like upgrading to energy-efficient equipment, optimizing production schedules, and improving HVAC systems can significantly reduce energy usage. These measures are key to lowering operating costs and enhancing overall sustainability. Organizations with EMS can track the effectiveness of these measures in real-time, ensuring continuous improvement.

1. Integration with Carbon Reporting

A robust EMS aligns energy data with Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions for comprehensive carbon reporting. This integration simplifies compliance with frameworks like GHG Protocol, enabling businesses to track their carbon footprint and meet emission standards. Morningside Consulting offers seamless integration of energy management with carbon accounting software, making Scope 3 emissions reporting accurate and hassle-free. Explore our carbon reporting solutions.

1. Automation and Smart Technology

IoT devices, AI-driven analytics, and real-time automation are revolutionizing EMS. Smart technologies enable predictive maintenance, automated controls, and instantaneous adjustments, maximizing energy efficiency while reducing operational downtime. Maverick leverages advanced AI and IoT to deliver real-time analytics and automation, helping businesses optimize energy usage and align with sustainability goals. Find out how our solutions integrate smart technology in our Energy Efficiency Guide.

With the right combination of these components, EMS not only improves operational efficiency but also positions businesses as leaders in energy efficiency and sustainability.

Applications of Energy Management Systems-Industry Specific

Implementing Energy Management Systems (EMS) is essential for energy-intensive industries aiming to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impact. Here’s an overview of EMS applications across various sectors:

• Manufacturing and Mining: EMS enables real-time monitoring and optimization of energy consumption in production processes, leading to significant cost savings and improved operational efficiency. 
• Automotive: Incorporating EMS helps automotive manufacturers reduce energy usage in both vehicle production and operational phases, contributing to lower emissions and compliance with environmental standards.
• Aeronautics: EMS assists in managing the substantial energy demands of aircraft manufacturing, ensuring processes are energy-efficient and sustainable.
• Healthcare: Hospitals and medical facilities utilize EMS to monitor and control energy usage, ensuring critical systems operate efficiently while reducing operational costs.
• Heavy Machinery: EMS aids in optimizing the energy consumption of large equipment, enhancing performance, and extending machinery lifespan.

Steps to Implementing an Effective Energy Management System (EMS)

Implementing an Energy Management System (EMS) requires a structured approach to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with organizational goals. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Conduct an Energy Audit to Assess Current Usage

Begin with a comprehensive energy audit to identify inefficiencies and establish a baseline for energy consumption. This involves examining equipment, processes, and operational practices to highlight areas of energy waste. Understanding your current energy consumption is crucial for Morningside Consulting’s energy audit solutions can provide deep insights and facilitate compliance with frameworks like the GHG Protocol.

Step 2: Set Energy Reduction and Carbon Reporting Goals

Define clear, measurable objectives for reducing energy usage and lowering carbon emissions. Goals should align with regulatory requirements such as SECR, CSRD, or ISO 50001 and consider long-term sustainability targets like net-zero emission. Integrating these goals with Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions reporting ensures a holistic approach to energy and carbon management.

Step 3: Select the Right EMS Tools and Technology

Choose an EMS solution that suits your organization’s needs. modern EMS tools leverage IoT devices, AI-powered analytics, and real-time monitoring for enhanced decision-making. Ensure the system integrates seamlessly with carbon accounting software for streamlined reporting and compliance.

Step 4: Train Employees and Create an Energy-Conscious Culture

Effective EMS implementation depends on employee engagement. Train staff to use the EMS and foster a culture of energy efficiency. Empowering employees to identify and address inefficiencies can lead to continuous improvement and stronger adherence to sustainability goals.

Step 5: Monitor, Review, and Optimize the EMS Regularly 

EMS is not a one-time setup. Continuously monitor performance metrics, compare them against goals, and adjust strategies as needed. Regular reviews ensure the system evolves with changing energy demands and regulatory updates, maximizing its effectiveness.

Explore Morningside Consulting’s solution to simply every stage of EMS implementation 

Trends in Energy Management Systems (EMS)

The integration of renewable energy sources into Energy Management Systems (EMS) is a growing trend, driven by the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions. Key developments include:

• Increased Renewable Energy Adoption: in 2024, Spain achieved a record 56% of its electricity supply from renewable sources like wind and solar, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy transition.
• Industrial Sector Initiatives: Companies are increasingly adopting renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, Flex Power Solutions in Limerick, Ireland, developed technology to convert excess renewable electricity into useful heat, aiding industrial decarbonization efforts.
• Global Renewable Energy Capacity Growth: China has rapidly expanded its renewable energy capacity, adding 216 gigawatts of solar power in 2023 alone, demonstrating a significant commitment to renewable energy integration.
• Advancing in Energy Storage and Grid Modernization: The increasing share of renewables necessitates enhancements in energy storage solutions and grid infrastructure to manage variability and ensure reliability. Investments in smart grids and battery storage are critical to accommodate the growing influx of renewable energy.

Future Energy Management Systems

The future of Energy Management Systems (EMS) is being shaped by rapid advancements in technology and evolving sustainability goals. These innovations are set to transform how businesses manage energy and reduce their environmental impact.

Emerging Technologies in EMS

• Smart Grid: These intelligent energy networks allow EMS to interact dynamically with utilities, optimizing energy distribution and consumption while reducing waste.
• Digital Twins: Virtual replicas of physical systems enable organizations to simulate and test energy strategies, predicting outcomes without disrupting operations.
• Advanced Sensors: IoT-enabled sensors provide real-time data on energy usage, improving precision and enabling proactive energy management.

Did you know?

Energy Management in Automotive Manufacturing took a significant leap forward with the adoption of advanced EMS with the adoption of EMS solutions by leading companies in Europe.

Volkswagen’s manufacturing plant Zwickau, Germany, has undergone a significant transformation to model of energy-efficient automotive production. By implementing an advanced EMS, the plant has optimized its energy consumption, leading to reduction in CO2 emissions by more than 60%. This initiative aligns with Volkswagen’s broader strategy to achieve carbon-neutral production across its facilities.

Conclusion

The evolving landscape of EMS underscores its importance in meeting both operational and environmental challenges. By embracing emerging technologies and aligning with regulatory goals, businesses can position themselves as leaders in energy efficiency and sustainability. Morningside Consulting’s advanced tools and solutions are at the forefront of this transition, helping organization navigate the future of energy management with confidence. Contact Morningside Consulting today for smarter Energy Management System solutions

Explore Morningside Consulting solutions to simplify every stage of your EMS programs

ESG Consulting: The role our ESG team can optimize organizations’ compliance with regulatory standards

Our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) consultants play a critical role in helping organizations integrate sustainable and socially responsible practices into their operations, decision-making and reporting. ESG consultants provide strategic advice, develop frameworks, and ensure compliance with evolving regulatory standards related to sustainability. Morningside Consulting has the following key roles and responsibilities for our ESG Consulting services:

Assessment and Analysis 

• ESG Risk and Opportunity Identification: Assess a company’s current practices to identify environmental, social, and governance risks as well as opportunities for improvement. This includes analyzing sustainability risks like climate change, supply chain issues, human rights concerns, and governance deficiencies.
• Materiality Assessment: Help companies identify and prioritize the most relevant ESG issues for their business and stakeholders, known as materiality assessments. This ensures that efforts are focused on areas with the most significant impact.

Strategy Development

• Develop ESG Strategy: Work with leadership to craft a comprehensive ESG strategy aligned with the company’s overall business goals. Develop action plans to integrate ESG practices into the company’s operations, supply chains, and business models.
• Setting ESG Goals: Help organizations set measurable ESG goals, such as carbon emissions, improving labor practices, or enhancing governance transparency.
• Sustainability Integration: ESG consultants assist businesses in integrating sustainability and ethical considerations into core business processes, decision-making, and company culture.

Regulatory and Compliance Guidance

• Compliance with ESG Regulations: Ensure that companies comply with relevant ESG-related regulations and standards (e.g. GRI, TCFD, SASB, EU Taxation and all South African regulations and standards) in their reporting and operations.
• Stakeholder Requirement: help companies meet the ESG expectations of key stakeholders, including investors, regulators, employees, and customers.
• Risk Management: Guide businesses in managing ESG risks and preparing for regulatory changes, particularly related to environmental standards, human rights regulations, and corporate governance norms 

ESG Reporting and Disclosure

• Developing ESG Reports: Support companies in preparing and disclosing their ESG performance. This includes producing sustainability or CSR reports and responding to investor queries related to ESG data.
• Performance Metrics: Help track ESG performance indicators (KPIs) that align with reporting frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TFCFD).
• Communication and Transparency: Work with businesses to ensure clear and transparent communication or ESG efforts to stakeholders, investors, and the public, emphasizing the impact of their ESG initiatives. 

Stakeholder Engagement

• Internal Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate with internal teams (e.g. legal, finance, human resources, operations) to align ESG initiatives with overall company goals and ensure smooth integration across departments.
• External Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate dialogue with external stakeholders such as investors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), communities, and regulatory bodies to align ESG strategies with expectations.
• Investor Relations: Assist in engaging investors by communicating ESG performance and aligning it with the expectations of socially conscious or impact investors.

Training and Awareness

• Raising Awareness: Organize training sessions and workshops to help companies raise awareness among employees, executives, and stakeholders about ESG-related issues and the importance of sustainability.
• Capacity Building: Help companies build internal capabilities for managing ESG efforts by training staff in implementing sustainable practices and improving governance structures.

ESG Integration into Business Operations

• Sustainability in Supply Chain: ESG Consultants work on embedding ESG criteria into the supply chain by promoting ethical sourcing, waste reduction, and sustainable resource use.
• Operational Efficiency: Provide recommendations to optimize resource efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and implement circular economy principles (e.g. recycling, energy conservation).
• Governance Enhancements: ESG Consultants assist companies in strengthening corporate governance by promoting transparency, ethical leadership, and improving diversity and including practices within the board or management structures.

Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

• Tracking Progress: Monitor the company’s ESG progress and evaluate the impact of implemented strategies, ensuring that the company meets its sustainability and social responsibility goals.
• Data Collection and Benchmarking: Support organizations in collecting, managing, and analyzing ESG data to benchmark against industry standards and competitors.
• Adjust Strategies: ESG consultants reassess the strategy periodically and adjust it based on new data, emerging trends, and stakeholder feedback to maintain relevance and effectiveness. 

Innovation and Trends

• Keeping Up with ESG Trends: Stay updated with the latest trends, innovations, and technologies in sustainability and social responsibility. Provide strategic insights on how emerging practices (e.g. carbon offsetting, renewable energy integration, circular economy) can benefit the organization.
• Identifying Industry Best practices: Guide companies in adopting best practices from industry leaders in ESG, helping them remain competitive in the market.

Supporting ESG Investments

• ESG Due Diligence: ESG Consultants assist companies with due diligence on potential investments, ensuring that companies in which they invest meet ESG criteria.
• Green Finance and ESG Investment: They advise organizations on sustainable financing options like green bonds, carbon credits, nd ESG investment funds to attract impact investors and support sustainable growth.

Get in Touch for Insights and how our team of professionals can help your organization to navigate the ever-evolving ESG landscape.

Amendments to the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) have been signed into law, although the effective date on which they become operative has not yet been proclaimed. 

Some of the key amendments include:

• The confirmation of a risk-based approach to customer due diligence which requires the identification and assessment of an institution’s money laundering and terrorism risks.
• Additional due diligence requirements for legal persons, trusts and partnerships.
• Ongoing due diligence and scrutiny of transactions during the course of a business relationship and not just at the inception of the relationship.
• Additional obligations in relation to clients who hold prominent public or private sector positions, and
• Increased intervention power by the FIC and provision for warrantless searches in specified instances.

Some of the amendments may require changes to internal business processes and operations. 

What are the compliance obligations for accountable institutions?

• Registering with the FIC.
• Submitting regulatory reports to the FIC.
• Implementing a risk-based approach.
• Developing a risk management and compliance programme.
• Conducting customer due diligence.
• Establishing beneficial ownership.
• Scrutinizing clients against targeted financial sanctions list.
• Determining whether clients are politically exposed persons.
• Keeping records of customer transactions.
• Appointing a compliance officer.
• Training employees on how to comply with the FIC Act.

For more information and if you are unsure whether you have adequate FIC compliance strategies, please contact:

Dr Pete Mhlanga

Financial Crimes Subject Matter Expert | Risk Advisory 

FICA | Anti-Money Laundering 

Advocate of the High Court of South Africa

PhD Law (UNISA)

Risk | Compliance | Governance Law (Wits)

Harvard Professional and Executive Development

LLM (UNISA)

LLB (Tax Law | Company Law) (UNISA

Morningside Consulting and Training Group (Pty) Ltd

petemhlanga@mctg-consulting.co.za | info@mctg-consulting.co.za 

Tel.: 083 576 5175/ 011 367 0636

66 Park Lane,

Sandton 2196

Financial Advisory | Audit, Assurance & Reporting

In an increasingly complex world, our Audit, Assurance and Reporting Advisory team provides the confidence our clients need and the trust our stakeholders expect. Our dedicated team of professionals are connectors and leaders in Johannesburg and most major financial centres in the world, delivering for the most iconic clients, while providing outstanding talent experience for our people.

With over decades’ experience of performing quality audit and assurance services, our team is proud of our unwavering commitment to doing the right thing. Our critical public interest role and instilling trust and confidence are the core of our services.

When you work with our Audit, Assurance and Reporting Advisory teams, you can be assured and expect a drive to deliver with quality, integrity, innovation and impact

External Audit – We don’t just grasp our clients’ businesses; we dive into thrilling opportunities and uncover risks beyond ordinary financial reporting.

Internal Audit, Process and Controls Advisory – Our teams take a trustworthy, holistic approach, assisting clients with compliance and assurance.

Reporting Advisory – Our dynamic teams do not just wiled core technical accounting and reporting skills, we turn them into tools for an engaging journey in advisory. 

Find out more

We are committed to helping clients succeed in this rapidly evolving industry.

FICA was adopted in 2001 and has since been amended a number of times to ensure that South Africa’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) regulatory regime is in line with international standards as set out by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and reflects South Africa’s continued commitment to combating money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF).

In November 2022, the South African Parliament amended the Schedules in FICA. The amendments relate to the classification of accountable institutions listed in Schedule 1, supervisory bodies listed in Schedule 2, and reporting institutions listed in Schedule 3 of FICA.

In terms of Schedule 1, the changes will increase the number of businesses included as Accountable Institutions resulting in those businesses now having to comply with FICA. This will have an operational impact on those newly classified businesses since there are identification, validation, monitoring and reporting obligations which they must now comply with.

High level obligations overview

FICA requires Accountable Institutions to fulfill certain obligations. Below, we have provided a summary of the obligations which are required in order to achieve compliance with FICA:

1. Register with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) as an Accountable Institution.
2. Formally appoint a money laundering control officer and communicate the identity of this person to the FIC.
3. Undertake a formal risk assessment of your business to identify ML and TF risks.
4. Implement a risk-based approach to combating and money laundering terrorist financing and PF.
5. Train employees on FICA compliance and ML, TF risk exposure.
6. Conduct customer identification and verification including identity verification to a reliable and independent source such as the South African Department of Home Affairs.
7. Conduct customer due diligence, including identifying the source of income for specific customers such as cash transactions.
8. Monitor all transactions for ML and TF risks
9. Suspicious and unusual transactions reporting to the FIC
10. Cash transactions reporting to the FIC.

What to do now?

Should you be unsure as to whether or not you are required to comply with FICA, we suggest the following:

• Determine whether your business is now an Accountable Institution.
• Undertake a risk assessment to understand your compliance obligations (as required by Directive 6 & 7).
• Determine implementation requirements
• Decide on self-staffing the capacity or outsourcing

Morningside Consulting can advise you on your compliance strategy and we also offer an outsourced onboarding compliance solution which provides customer identification and verification, customer due diligence, staff training and ongoing customer monitoring to enable reporting to the FIC.

Get in touch!

Dr Pete Mhlanga

Financial Crime Subject Matter Expert | Risk Advisory

petemhlanga@mctg-consulting.co.za

Tel. 083 576 5175

PhD Law (UNISA)

Risk Management | Regulatory Compliance | Corporate Governance (Wits)

Harvard Professional and Executive Program

LLM (Public International Law) UNISA)

LLB (Company Law | Tax Law) (UNISA)

HR Consulting 

Our HR Consultants design and deliver training programs to enhance employees’ skills and knowledge, facilitate career development, and support and develop organizational growth strategies. They also help organizations measure the success and return on investment (ROI) of their HR initiatives. They establish metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs), track progress, and evaluate the impact of HR programs on organizational performance.

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HR Consulting

As an outsourced HR consultant, we offer a full range of HR services to help companies dela with every element of employing, developing and managing people.

We help business recruit, manage, develop, and retain great people. We build lasting relationships with our clients and deliver a truly customized HR consultancy service

Stay compliant

• Get proactive updates on employment laws and regulations that may impact your business, so it’s easier to manage compliance.

Develop company and workplace policies

• We are available to help you develop and update your employee handbook, including policies addressing employment-related laws.

Labor advice you can count on

• Our team will assist you and your business by providing you with the appropriate advice and guidance in managing your labour issues, including negotiations and strike management.

Simplify your hiring process

• Get help identifying job candidates, applying effective hiring tactics, onboarding new hires, and retaining productive employees.

Get more done with targeted advice

• Obtain essential assistance at any point in the employee life cycle, from interviewing and hiring to employee discipline and separation.

HR Strategy 

• Morningside Consulting helps its clients reach their businesses goals. We provide unique strategic planning advisory and facilitation services to our clients.

Contact us for mor information and find out more about our services and solutions customized for your company.

Human Resources Management Consulting

Our professional team provides swift, efficient and confidential human resource management consulting services with quick answers in a complex global environemnt. 

Research shows that these some of the key challenges faced by human resource managers, including: regulatory compliance, retention, employee engagement, leadership development, change management, performance management, recruitment challenges, attracting top talent, compensation, human resource development, conflict resolution, employee onboarding, time, diversity, equity, and inclusion, employee health and wellness, create a versatile workforce, employee misclassification, globalization, lack of expertise, remote and hybrid workplace management, talent shortages.

Our experienced team of professionals have proven track records in international human resource management services and deliver customized HR consulting solutions to diverse industries and help organizations navigate the complex human resources management landscape, from recruitment to change management and compensation program development and implementation. 

Find out more.

Companies face growing risks in addressing information governance and privacy – two key concerns that are converging in today’s digital era. A sound information governance and privacy strategy reduce regulatory compliance risk, increases operational efficiency and establish competitive advantage. 

MCTG Consulting Information governance and privacy services teams consists of multidisciplinary professionals who support organizations in all facets of information governance, taking into consideration legal, regulatory and privacy concerns. Leveraging extensive experience helping clients respond to data breaches and conduct forensic investigations, MCTG Consulting teams focus on effective and efficient use of data, as well as managing privacy risks, through technology and process innovation.

Benefits of MCTG Consulting Information governance and privacy services:

• Deep knowledge of data protection and privacy regulations with teams located around the world and experience in cross-border data transfer.
• Dedicated industry professionals who understand industry-specific data and regulatory challenges
• Multidisciplinary teams of talent operations, data governance and regulatory compliance
• A data-driven approach, coupled with workflow and technology innovation, bringing precision, efficiency and deeper insights to privacy compliance programs.
• A global network of local resources who understand regional, cultural and regulatory environments and work together under one consistent methodology to reduce risk and increase efficiency.

We assist in developing, documenting, and implementing information governance programs that reduce corporate risks, ensure data privacy, enable faster and deeper insight into data, and improve the e-discovery process.

Our privacy teams can design, build and run a client’s privacy risk management capabilities. We deliver custom solutions no matter the company’s data environemnt or risk profile. We are highly skilled at producing defensible documentation and have the credentials and expertise to testify in courts about the methods used for any information governance, privacy or security project.

For more information, talk to our high-experienced consultants on how they can help improve your company’s governance, privacy and security programs.

Information & Technology | Information Governance, Privacy & Security  

Companies face growing risks in addressing information governance and privacy – two key concerns that are converging in today’s digital era. A sound information governance and privacy strategy reduce regulatory compliance risk, increases operational efficiency and establish competitive advantage. 

MCTG Consulting Information governance and privacy services teams consists of multidisciplinary professionals who support organizations in all facets of information governance, taking into consideration legal, regulatory and privacy concerns. Leveraging extensive experience helping clients respond to data breaches and conduct forensic investigations, MCTG Consulting teams focus on effective and efficient use of data, as well as managing privacy risks, through technology and process innovation.

Benefits of MCTG Consulting Information governance and privacy services:

• Deep knowledge of data protection and privacy regulations with teams located around the world and experience in cross-border data transfer.
• Dedicated industry professionals who understand industry-specific data and regulatory challenges
• Multidisciplinary teams of talent operations, data governance and regulatory compliance
• A data-driven approach, coupled with workflow and technology innovation, bringing precision, efficiency and deeper insights to privacy compliance programs.
• A global network of local resources who understand regional, cultural and regulatory environments and work together under one consistent methodology to reduce risk and increase efficiency.

We assist in developing, documenting, and implementing information governance programs that reduce corporate risks, ensure data privacy, enable faster and deeper insight into data, and improve the e-discovery process.

Our privacy teams can design, build and run a client’s privacy risk management capabilities. We deliver custom solutions no matter the company’s data environemnt or risk profile. We are highly skilled at producing defensible documentation and have the credentials and expertise to testify in courts about the methods used for any information governance, privacy or security project.

For more information, talk to our high-experienced consultants on how they can help improve your company’s governance, privacy and security programs.

Information Technology | Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy Consulting

Build a Value-Driving AI Strategy for Business Growth. 

Our AI consultants develop tailored AI strategies that seamlessly align with your business objectives, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to respond to the market, unlock growth and manage risk.

From setting AI vision to executing value-driving AI initiatives

Generative AI (Gen AI) is one type of AI that executives suddenly want to try in their businesses, but to capture its value and manage risk in a sustainable way, executives need a sound, holistic and achievable AI strategy.

Our AI consultants can help you harness the full power of AI to transform your business while protecting your organization against new and emerging threats. From ideation through execution and beyond, our holistic, end-to-end AI consulting approach ensures that every aspect of your AI journey is optimized for success. 

Building an AI strategy inclusive of GenAI requires a rigorous approach – from developing a business-driven vision to planning which initiatives to adopt nd why. 

Deployed well, GenAI will become a competitive advantage and differentiator, building on the ability of AI in general to automate repetitive and tedious tasks and generate new insights, ideas and innovations with predictive analytics, machine learning (ML) and other AI methods.

Our professionals help our clients develop smarter products and services using AI strategies. Making business processes and functions (such as accounts, sales, warehouses, logistics, manufacturing and HR) more intelligent, automating repetitive or mundane tasks to free people up for mor value-adding activities.

Our cross-disciplinary team is equipped with deep expertise across the AI spectrum, from bespoke solution development and AI architecture to cybersecurity and AI risk advisory and has a track record of serving as trusted advisors when clients are facing their greatest opportunities and challenges.

Get in touch for more insights on how your business could become more efficient and profitable and achieve growth.

Information Technology | IT Audit & Consulting

MCTG Consulting offers IT audit and consulting services to protect information systems, establish compliance with regulatory requirements, and reduce risks.

Information Technology (IT is becoming increasingly important to your business strategy, operations and internal audit.

An organization’s IT program is crucial to the success of its operation. To ensure that it functions effectively, there are several important considerations that must be considered, especially in today’s technology-driven world. It is imperative to ensure that the IT program functions effectively to support the business objectives. to achieve this, here are several important considerations that must be considered, including\\;

• Security measures to protect sensitive information
• Scalability to allow for growth and change
• Reliability with backups systems and disaster recovery plans
• Cost-effectiveness to optimize resource allocation and minimize downtime.
• Compliance with industry regulations and standards
• Innovation to keep pace with technological trends.

Our IT Audit & Risk Advisory Services practice can help protect your organization’s information systems, establish compliance with regulatory requirements, and provide insights to leverage IT controls to reduce costs and gain competitive advantage.

Knowledgeable and Experienced IT Audit Consultants 

By working with MCTG Consulting, your organization will receive world-class guidance and expertise from IT assurance professionals with decades of IT consulting and audit experience across a multitude of industries.\

Such guidance is complemented by professional accreditations, such as:

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Certified in Risk & Information Systems Controls (CRISC)
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
• Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP)
• Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM)
• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Registered Practitioners (CMMC-RP)
• Certified CMMC Professional and Assessor (CCP/CCA)

Get in touch and learn our global expertise can transform and empower your IT audit systems

Information Technology | Cybersecurity and Privacy

Build trust. Stay competitive. Deliver value. Our data privacy consulting experts help companies navigate the ever-changing landscape of data privacy requirements. We help clients to understand data lifecycles to protect data, meet the privacy expectations of consumers, and comply with applicable privacy regulations. 

As companies pivot more toward digital business models, exponentially more data is generated and shared among organizations, partners and customers. This digital information has become the lifeblood of the interconnected business ecosystem and is increasingly valuable to organizations and to skilled threat actors. Increased digitization also means companies are exposed to new digital vulnerabilities, making an effective approach to cybersecurity and privacy more important than ever.

We help our clients transform from value protectors to value creators by building trust, promoting resilience and enabling the business. We are here to help you transform your organization and drive growth, while staying resilient and preparing for the unexpected.

Organizations are experiencing unprecedented change in the data privacy landscape, changing regulations are forcing constant business, technical and legal operational changes. These changes often overlap, resulting in highly complex legal and regulatory scenarios.

We offer a dedicated global cross-functional team that includes former regulatory agency officers, attorneys, chief privacy and data officers, technologist and privacy consultants, and auditors to help organizations build, implement, and optimize their privacy programs.

Wie partner with our clients to understand jurisdictions and regulatory obligations, assess their privacy needs, implement compliance measures and safeguards and respond to new and changing regulations

Our Data Privacy Consulting Services includes\:

• Privacy Compliance – Compliance with current and future privacy laws requires disciplined execution. From developing a robust compliance strategy to managing consent order response and data subject requests for information, MCTG Consulting helps at every stage.
• Data Discovery – We help establish a formal inventory of data to capture where personal data is collected, processed, and stored. Paired with data privacy flow mapping, classification, and assessments, companies can automate and optimize their data discovery efforts.
• Privacy as a Service – Think of us as an extension of a team. we provide tailored, full-service support to asses privacy needs, implement and automate privacy-related functions, and respond to new and changing regulations. 

For our comprehensive approach to Cybersecurity and Data Privacy. Get in touch with us

Information Technology | Digital Forensics Consulting Services

Our swift, efficient and confidential digital forensics consulting services provide quick answers in complex global investigations

Whether for a time-sensitive investigation or an-end-to-end e-discovery matter, the need for expertise in digital forensics has never been greater.

We offer a wide range of proactive and reactive digital forensic services through our experienced team of investigators and data engineers who use state-of-the-art technology to help our clients.

Globally, modern businesses are relying on technology and creating and storing more data than ever before. With the value of this technology and data increasing every day it is more important than ever to have a digital forensics partner who is prepared to support you in a time of crisis.

During litigation and investigations involving electronic evidence, the requirement to collect, process and review vast types of data which are stored on different devices can be challenging. The evolving threat of cybercrime is also becoming more complex and advancing quickly, with highly trained cyber gangs using new techniques to disrupt businesses on a global scale.

With extensive experience in fraud, employee misconduct, theft of intellectual property and more, our digital forensics team ensures fast, strategic and confidential services worldwide with minimal disruption. Our team adeptly and defensibly collects electronic data and then analyzes artifacts, system logs and hidden data to investigate abnormal activity related to complex and regulatory investigations

Our comprehensive data acquisition services ensure the defensible assessment and preservation of relevant information across diverse platforms, including traditional sources, mobile devices, cloud repositories and social media. Our expertise extends to preserving and reconstructing deleted data as well as employing advanced tools to bypass encryption for password cracking when needed. 

As experts in investigative services, our team specializes in preparing and conducting witness interviews, managing key communications and performing fact-finding investigations to uncover corrupt activities.

Our digital forensics consulting capabilities include processing, hosting, review and production of multilingual data. We offer meticulous preparation of sworn affidavits and declarations, along with expert testimony to bolster your case. Our expertise extends to crafting responses to government subpoenas and requests for information and producing formal reports for regulators and law enforcement personnel.

Across forensic collection, post-collection and investigative services, our clients trust our deep experience and industry-leading expertise to deliver:

• Rapid results – We prioritize speed and efficiency, understanding the criticality of timely data preservation. We swiftly asses data, analyze actions and deliver intelligence reports, enabling organizations to act promptly.
• Process Workflows – Our global forensic experts swiftly deploy worldwide for data collection and investigation. We have vast experience managing global cases and all they can entail: ensuring compliance with data privacy laws, navigating cultural sensitivities, maintaining discreet processes and operating in multiple languages.
• Best-of Breed Technology – Our experts employ robust tools and methods for forensically sound investigations. We craft clear courtroom materials, such as affidavits, diagrams, exhibits and expert testimony, elucidating forensic evidence and methodologies

Get in touch and learn how our global expertise can empower your Digital Forensics processes

Information Technology | Risk Management Consulting

At MCTG Consulting, we build resilient risk management solutions to help our clients confidently navigate dynamic business environments, enabled by high-performing risk and control ecosystems. We bring leading insights and innovative capabilities to help you meet tomorrow’s challenges today.  Our team of former industry executives and regulators; risk management professionals and analytics experts help you plan and execute engineered aligned, data-driven, and tech-enabled solutions to protect your business and enable growth.

Our Risk Management Consulting Services:

• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) – Provide your directors with a risk-informed approach to ERM tailored to fit your organization’s maturity, risk culture, and risk management needs and expectations to drive better business performance. Organizations demand value beyond “enterprise risk listing” activities and ERM programmes that loses momentum.
• Operational Resilience – Improve resilience through a robust testing programme, building on existing business continuity management activities., IT disaster recovery, and cybersecurity incident response. We bring knowledge across the four domain areas of operational resilience: business, technology, cyber, and third-party.  
• Operational Risk Management (ORM) – Build an effective ORM programme to reap both immediate and long-term benefits. It isn’t enough to be focused merely on understanding the status and limiting known risks; ORM objectives must evolve as business drivers change.
• Credit Risk Management (CRM) – Build an effective credit risk management system that enables you to identify, measure, and manage risks in accordance with your organization’s risk appetite prior to loss events occurring. Our solutions are designed to reduce operational costs, improve the efficiency and quality of credit risk decisions, and enhance processes.
• Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) – One-stop solution for financial, information technology, compliance, and operational due diligence. We integrate procurement and TPRM to enhance your visibility, efficiency, risk and cost management.
• Risk and Compliance Analytics – We enable clients across industries to extract insights and translate it into prudent risk detection. We empower intelligent decision-making and help you immunize against current and emerging threat vectors, all while navigating through a complex regulatory and business environemnt.
• Technology Risk Management (TRM) – As organizations adopt new technologies, risk and exposure grow. We help design and implement operating models to manage technology risk and better control IT systems, people and processes. Our technology risk offerings reduce costs and risks while increasing agility.
• Risk Transformation – We work with your organization to design, execute, embed, and sustain risk transformation initiatives. Worthwhile risk transformation does more than reduce the risk on non-compliance and regulatory penalties. It creates real business value by reducing operational costs and improving the efficiency and quality of risk decisions. At MCTG Consulting, we use technology, innovation, data, and analytics to transform the field of risk management. 

We can help you excel today and in the future.

Get in touch 

Information Technology | Software Engineering 

As a global software consultancy, we help you build and implement efficient technological solutions that deliver real business value. The training, tools, processes, and technologies we use have one goal: to transform, optimize and empower your businesses to be more efficient, productive and profitable.

With hundreds of software engineers spanning 10+ countries, our collective experience allows us to provide architecture strategies, software platforms, and integrations that accelerate your digital business.

Our consultants have over 20 years of experience building and integrating the latest technologies that maximize the flexibility of data and the opportunity for re-use across multiple channels.

Flexible ways of working with your business or existing engineering team

Multiple-disciplinary teams.

If you need a dedicated team of designers, engineers, project managers, cloud/DevOps engineers, and QA specialists, we can help. Our global team of experts can take on the entire product development lifecycle, acting as your engineering department. 

Strategy sprints

Need an outside perspective on a problem. One to five-week sprints let you explore many options, test them, and determine if they are worth pursuing. 

Team augmentation

When you need additional staff or specialized experts, we can come in, help you accelerate development, and then ramp off when it makes sense.

We are more than just a technological consultant team. Beyond the technical implementation, we help you with migrating between platforms, provide training to your team, implement governance frameworks and drive adoption within your organization, whether that’s in a single country or across 50+ local markets.

Engineering services:

• Digital Products – Digital Products is a team of experienced makers. With a history of delivering exceptional custom software and cultivating effective teams, we help companies accelerate their product roadmaps, design prototypes, and transform into innovative tech teams. Building a culture of innovation.
• Technology strategy & architecture – Our tenured team ca help you identify key technical challenges, explore solutions, and provide you with a technical blueprint for your digital business. During strategic planning, we will not only detail programming languages, frameworks, and hosting solutions, we will explain the why behind each recommendation. In the end, your development team has a clear path to production, armed with precise architecture diagrams and answers to key technical questions. Whether you need a prototype or a review of your current tech stack and architecture, our experienced architects can diagnose and create a modern strategy that aligns with your business goals. We aim for cloud-first, best-of-breed, technologically proven, and quality-driven development.
• Web & Mobile App development. Our team has extensive experience building world-class software applications across a number of devices. Supporting a wide range of tech stacks, our software team can operate as your business’s product team or integrate seamlessly into your existing setup to help build web and mobile applications. Mobile apps provide a presence. A constant contact point in your customer’s pockets, just a tap away.  That means your business needs a trustworthy, easy-to-interact-with application, built for the repeated use of a frequent customer.

Find the right platform (or build your own)

Get in touch for more insights and find how our global experts can partner with tour business for growth, innovation and digital transformation.

Fuel Your Financial Success

Monthly Accounting Services Tailored To Your Needs

Welcome to Morningside Consulting and Training Group (MCTG Consulting), industry leaders in outsourced accounting services. We provide trusted financial expertise through structured processes. We will help you refine your vision, identify potential challenges, and implement a clear, achievable strategy to ensure that your business and individual accounting needs remain scalable, resilient and compliant.

At MCTG Consulting, we believe that small and large businesses should enjoy a level of support that propels them forward, which is why we offer a structured service that addresses the full spectrum of bookkeeping and compliance needs of our clients. For a fixed monthly fee, our service includes all financial accounting, payroll processing, VAT returns, SARS compliance, monthly management accounts, as well as support from a technical expert in all matters pertaining to the stratgy and finance needs of your business or individual needs.

Our team of senior professionals have been servicing audit, accounting, business and company secretarial needs for South African and multinational companies for decades. Our outsourced accounting services offering and businesses need syndicated, outsourced, virtual or fixed price monthly accounting services with a range of competitively priced accounting packages.

Why do you need Accounting Services?

• Improve cash flow
• Real-time financial information
• Better collaboration between accountants and the business
• Best practices on compliance 
• Access to global expertise in accounting, corporate tax and income tax
• Innovative and integrated business applications
• Compliance, peace of mind
• Streamlined accounting services and less paperwork
• Data and information security 

Get in touch to learn more about our monthly packages from R4,500 ex VAT. Switching to MCTG Consulting’s Cloud Accounting is easier than you think!

Accounting & Bookkeeping Hourly Rates 

Hourly billing is common for consulting, tax advisory, audits, and forensic accounting, where work is customized and requires expertise. Below are the standard hourly rates:

Service	Hourly Rate (ZAR)
Junior Bookkeeper	R400 – R600
Senior Bookkeeper	R600 – R900
Accountant	R900 – R1, 500
Senior Accountant/CFO	R1,500 – R3,000
Tax Practitioner	R900 – R2, 000
Forensic Accountant	R2,500 – R5, 000
Auditor	R1, 800 – R3, 500

Why Hourly Rates Matter: Accountants must factor in expertise, complexity, and risk. A simple bookkeeping task may take a few hours pe month, while forensic or tax audit services require deep investigation and legal risk.

Fixed-Fee Accounting Services (By Task)

Our all-Inclusive Accounting Packages – Prices From R4,500 per month 

Many businesses prefer fixed-fee accounting services for predictability and budgeting. Below is a pricing guide based on industry-standard rate for 2025.

1. Bookkeeping & Financial Management

Bookkeeping is essential for accurate financial records, tax compliance, and cash flow tracking.

Service	Fee Range (ZAR)
Monthly Bookkeeping (Small Business)	R3, 000 – R7,500
Monthly Bookkeeping (Medium Business)	R7,500 – R15,000
Monthly Bookkeeping (Large Business)	R15,000 – R35,000
Catch-up Bookkeeping (per Financial Year)	R10,000 – R50,000
Bank Reconciliation (Per Month)	R1,500 – R5,000

           Who needs this? Businesses that want to outsource bookkeeping instead of hiring an in-house accountant. Pricing depends on transaction volume and complexity.

1. Annual Financial Statements & Compliance

Financial statements are required for tax filling, bank loans, and investors. These must be prepared in accordance with IFRS or GAAP standards.

Service	Fee Range (ZAR)
Annual Financial Statements (Turnover <R1m)	R3,500 – R6,500
Annual Financial Statements (R1m – R5m Turnover)	R7,000 – R12,500
Annual Financial Statements (R5m – R10m Turnover)	R12,500 – R25,000
Annual Financial Statements (R10m+ Turnover)	R25,000+ (Custom)
Management Accounts	R5,000 R15,000
Drafting Company Resolutions	R1,500 – R5,000

Who needs these services? Businesses that need accurate, auditable financial records for SARS compliance, banks or investors.

1. Tax Services & SARS Compliance

SARS penalties are steep if tax returns are late or incorrect. Below are pricing benchmarks for corporate tax, VAT, and payroll tax services

Service	Fee Range (ZAR)
Company Tax Return (IT14)	R2,500 – R6,500+
Provisional Tax Return (IRP6)	R1,500 – R3,000
VAT Return Submission (VAT201)	R1,500 – R5,000 (per submission)
SARS Dispute Resolution	R5,000 – R25,000+
Tax Clearance Certificate	R1,200 – R2,500

Why Tax Pricing Increased (2025): SARS now requires beneficial ownership disclosures, additional double-checks, and stricter compliance reviews. A company tax return that previously too 30 minutes now takes 2+ hours.

Our All-Inclusive Accounting Packages – Pricing From 4,500 per month

1. Payroll & HR Services

Service	Fe Range (ZAR)
Payroll Processing (Pe Employee)	R250 – R750 per month
BI-Annual PAYE Reconciliation (EMP501)	R3,000 – R7,000
IRP5 Submission (Non-Payroll Clients)	R700 – R1,500 per employee
UIF& COID Registration	R1,800 – R3,500

 Who needs these services? Businesses that outsource payroll to avoid compliance risks and want accurate, automated salary processing.

Need a free, non-obligation quote?

1. Company Secretarial & Business Compliance

Corporate compliance prevents legal and financial risks and is mandatory for CIPC-registered businesses.

Service	Fee Range (ZAR)
Company Registration	R,500 – R3,500
CIPC Annual Return	R700 -R3,500
Beneficial Ownership Register	R1,500 – R5,000
Share Certificates	R1,500 – R3,500
Drafting Board Minutes	R1,500 – R5,000
Director Changes	R900 – R2,500

Why this matters? Missing CIPC fillings can result in company deregistration. A compliance expert prevents costly mistakes.

How to Choose the Right Accounting Fee for Your Business? 

• Do you need a Monthly or Annual Services?
• If you want ongoing financial support, choose a fixed monthly fee. If you need tax filing, opt for task-based pricing
• What Business Size? Large businesses need more complex compliance, reporting and payroll management, which costs more.
• How Complex Are Your Taxes? Companies with multiple shareholders, international transactions, or SARS audits require higher fees.
• Consider the Expertise Required. A senior tax specialist should charge R900 – R2,000 per hour based on expertise and risk exposure.

For more information about our packages and pricing, talk our experts for a free non-obligation quote.

IT | Data Analytics & Data Science Consulting

Unlock the full potential of your data with top-tier data and analytics consulting services. Drive growth and make informed decisions. 

Companies have more data – and more ways to use it – than ever before. What they might not have is time. MCTG Consulting’s experts in AI and data and analytics strategy build the platform and the organizations that turn opportunities into value. Fast.

Data is everywhere, streaming across our world through a growing array of sensors, applications, and business models. Much less common, though, are companies that actually use data and analytics to transform what they do and how they do it. Becoming a data-driven organization isn’t easy. It requires not only a vision but a foundation of the right data assets, data governance, talent, and culture. It means getting data out of silos, adopting new ways of working, and developing new skills and even mindsets. It takes focus – a relentless one – one business outcomes.

The data and analytics journey require a holistic set of capabilities. One of the hallmarks of our data and analytics strategy is our ability to call on a global network of industry, functional and technology experts. Our team at MCTG Consulting data and analytics consulting teams with specialized talent to deliver end-to-end solutions – all while enabling our clients to build and scale their own capabilities.

Data & Digital Platform 

For many organizations, one of te biggest roadblocks is their own IT. We accelerate data-driven transformation by creating a data and digital platform. A launching pad fo data and analytics, it decouples data from legacy systems, so information is readily available for new applications and business models. A data and digital platform ets companies think big, start small, and grow fast, unhindered by existing IT infrastructure or the pace of its renewal. With more than 400 certified platform experts to draw on, we help clients develop their culture – in ways that let them realize the full potential of data and analytics.

Artificial Intelligence

One of the most potent forms of analytics is AI. By helping companies detect – and even anticipate – behavior and patterns, AI has transformed area like customer service, retail analytics, and industrial automation. It enables faster, better decision making and can spark massive competitive advantage. Yet only 10% of companies succeed with AI. The problem: many organizations launch successful pilots but find it difficult to extend AI deeper and more broadly into their operations.

Find out more. 

How our experienced professionals can help your organization achieve more with latest data and analytics trends.

Our world-class mining consulting services

At Morningside Consulting and Training Group, we exist to help miners find smarter ways to mine and unearth hidden business value. We help mining leaders evaluate mining opportunities, solve hidden productivity challenges, and improve performance across the mining cycle while our smart technologies, built by mining professionals over 20 years, underpins everything.

Whether you are in need of mining, geology, engineering services, geotechnical advice, or advisory services, our dedicated team of mining experts will help you unearth the most value out of your mine. 

Technical mining solutions

Morningside Consulting and Training Group’s consultants have provided world class technical advice to the mining industry for more than 20 years. From feasibility studies to expert geotechnical audits, when it comes to challenges in mining, chances are we have seen it and have found a smarter, more efficient way to solve it.

Commercial mining outcomes

Morningside Consulting and Training Group Advisory is a specialized team focused on providing exemplary whole-of-mine optimization advice. Working with mining executives from all over the world, Morningside Consulting Advisory bridges what’s happening at the mine face with the decisions that need to be made in the boardroom by using our distinct propriety tools and frameworks.

Every mine has a value life cycle, but its future value is not fixed. The strategic decisions that mine owners make, their ability to extract the value from their data ultimately determines their mine’s performance and the actual return to stakeholders.

The Morningside Consulting Difference 

Unmatched expertise

We see expertise as experience + relevance + reputation + insight + specialist skill.

Unique data sets

We have the world’s most comprehensive data set of independently validated site-level cost and productivity data that our experts have built over decades.

Propriety tools and frameworks

Morningside Consulting Advisory also draws a raft of IP frameworks including Hill of Value, Performance Diagnostics, Predictive Geometallurgy, Machine Learning, Simulation, Value Driver Trees, Cost Engineering, and many more.

Our services include:

• Mining – We help our clients mine smarter. Whether it’s planning a mine or enhancing the productivity of an existing one, our unparalleled mix of operational experience, industry insight, and up-to-date performance data delivers solutions to improve their bottom line.
• Geology – Our experience in most metals and coal helps our clients mine smarter. From nuggety gold deposits to iron ore mineral resource estimation and geological evaluations, our world-renowned expertise helps you hit the mother lode.
• Engineering services – Our multidisciplinary approach helps our clients mine smarter. We earned our reputation as world leaders in backfill engineering by designing and developing some of the first paste fill systems in the world.
• Geotechnical engineering – Our team has extensive mining experience across a range of challenging environments. This includes deep, high-stress underground mines with squeezing ground conditions and mining-induced seismicity, as well as open pit mines with deep slopes in high rainfall or frozen environments.
• Metallurgy – Our practical ability to turn strategy into action helps our clients mine smarter. We will help you with smarter skills by:

• Reviewing existing safety management systems.
• Undertaking metallurgy components of scoping and pre-feasibility studies.
• Designing and managing metallurgical test work programs
• Developing and mass balancing flowsheet options.
• Providing experts and specialists reports for regulatory authorities.
• Conducting due diligence assessments for debt funding, acquisitions, and disposals.
• Providing advice on pyrometallurgical concentrates.
• Pre-feasibility studies – This assessment generally follows the following progression as more data becomes available:

• Concept study – to provide an opportunity to identify the technical and economic potential of an early-stage resource and to justify approval of funding for more detailed studies. 
• Pre-Feasibility study – to collect sufficient information allowing an experienced consultant to assess many opportunities to select one that mitigates all material risks and best satisfies the objectives of the project owner using a variety of metrics. Using data and benchmarks verified from many existing operations, we can quickly assess the confidence level of our planning work for use input to the PFS, allowing selection of the favored operation.
• Feasibility Study – to operate the technical and economic basis for one chosen option at sufficient level of confidence for preliminary regulatory assessment and financial approval to proceed to detailed design and construction.

• Caving – Sub-Level, Block and Panel Caving – Our team has extensive experience covering studies, operations and optimization, technical evaluation, and specialist investigations. Why block, sub-level and panel caving make for smarter mining. This commitment to industry-leading mining practices and outcomes is exemplified across our sub-level caving (SCL), block caving (BC), and panel caving (PC) work. With high-quality, near-surface orebody sources depleted, the industry is turning to underground mining methods. As a result, cave mining alternatives are increasingly economically attractive. However, success requires fastidious planning, management and the exceptional orebody knowledge and analytical skills.
• Predictive Geometallurgy – Everything that happens in a mine depends on the orebody. So, know your orebody better with Morningside Consulting. Geometullurgy has advanced over the last few years. The advancement of orebody mapping techniques and applications of data science and machine learning have headed a new era for mine owners and operations. Practical Applications by Morningside Consulting has not just defined what geometallurgy is, we have been working on what it means in practices for the ability to optimize mine sequencing, make better plant design decisions, improve the stability of operations, and make the right strategic choices. Predictive Geometallurgy is a process that produces a dynamic 3D block model that enables you to understand orebody variability, improve design and scheduling, reduce volatility, improve recoveries, and reduce operating costs.

Recent results

• Helped the team at one global mine in South Africa deliver a 20% increase in ore production.

• Worked with a global mining company to realize operating cost reductions of US$300M on an NPV basis.

• Assisted a multinational mining company reduce costs by 20% at its mine in Tanzania.

• Morningside Consulting’s Hill of Value process helps our clients’ Angola base metal operations unlock near-term mining opportunities and more than US$1.5B in value.

These are just some of the case studies where our experts have been working on with clients.

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Mobile Applications Development 

Applications Services | Applications Development 

Expert Help in Challenging Situations

Morningside Consulting and Training Group (MCTG Consulting) will help you make value-driven decisions regarding your mobile app(s): market positioning, architecture, functionality, development process, audit, budget planning. 

Click contact details below to share your needs and get a quote.

Mobile app development consulting aims to provide professional guidance in mobile development initiatives. Our consultants with over 10 years in mobile application development, MCTG Consulting advise on device compatibility, perform app audits, plans modernization and from-scratch development of new competitive apps.

What’s more, we provide end-to-end mobile project implementation, including mobile design, mobile app development, mobile testing, and mobile app maintenance & support.

Services Scope of Our Mobile App Consulting

If you want to improve your existing mobile app or develop a completely new one, an expert review may be a good place to start. MCTG Consulting’s mobile app consulting specialists offer a wide range of services: from feasibility study to code reuse analysis for your mobile and web apps.

Our selected Mobile App Consulting Services

Healthcare Platform with AI Care Suggestions for Patients with Obesity

In 5 to 6 months, MCTG Consulting delivered a ready-to-market MVP of a medical platform for patients with obesity. It comprised cross-platform apps for patients and doctors, integration with HealthKit and Google Fit, and Ai engine for personalized suggestions.

Mobile Credit Platform Revamp and Aws Cost Optimization in 3 Months

MCTG Consulting migrated a mobile credit platform to the new AWS region, resolved the bugs in a loan app’s code, and implemented new lending features. The clients capitalized on low cloud infrastructure expenses and faster time-to-market for its product.

iOs and Android Insurance Apps Driving 50% Reduction in Insurer Workload

MCTG Consulting’s client, an insure with over 15 years in the market and $50B of premium value, for an app driving faster claim settlement and higher customer and employee satisfaction. The app enables self-inspection damage and claims filling for insured and is written software such as React Native.

Primary Care Telehealth App Designed in 4 Weeks

MCTG Consulting designed Healthcare authority compliant telehealth and practice management software for secure online patient-doctor communication and automated appointment scheduling. The client has got a technical design and an MVP development plan to build its solution with confidence.

Fitness App Redesign and Evolution Completed in 4 Months

MCTG Consulting conducted a comprehensive UX audit and redesigned the UX/UI of a Xamarin mobile app to help a US fitness startup drive higher user engagement. Our team also developed new features to increase app value for fitness pros and enthusiasts.

We Work with Mobile Apps for Different Industries, Goals and Audiences 

Enterprise apps:

• Inspection and quality control apps
• Compliance and audit apps
• Remote asset monitoring apps
• Asset management and maintenance apps
• Mobile BI and reporting apps
• Customer service and support apps
• Field service apps
• Field sales and order capture apps
• Loyalty and promotion management apps
• Invoicing and payment collection apps
• Employee management and time-tracking apps
• Corporate learning and training apps
• Secure corporate messaging and conference apps

Supply chain management and logistics apps

• Supply chain planning and optimization apps
• Inventory counting and location tracking apps 9using barcodes, RFID, or computer vision technology)
• Warehouse management and shelf-life monitoring apps
• Procurement management apps. Including automated replenishment apps
• Transportation planning and route optimization apps
• Fleet management apps
• Driver-side navigation and route management apps
• Last-mile delivery and package tracking apps

Secure medical apps

• Telemedicine apps
• Patient apps (e.g. for secure health information exchange, appointment scheduling, postoperative care)
• Care coordination apps
• HER | EMR apps with mobile access 
• Nurse apps
• Staff timetable management apps
• Medical inventory management apps
• Hospital asset tracking apps
• Chronic disease management apps
• Remote patient monitoring software
• Fall detection and emergency alert systems
• Wander management apps
• Digital therapeutics (DTx)
• Clinical trial management apps

Health and fitness apps

• Health tracking apps
• Activity and steps tracking apps
• Workout and personal training apps
• Meditation and relaxation apps
• Mental health apps
• Diet and nutrition tracking apps
• Medication intake tracking apps
• Rehabilitation apps
• Sleep tracking apps
• Pregnancy and period tracking apps
• Baby care apps
• Breastfeeding support apps

Banking and financial self-service apps

• Mobile banking apps
• Payment apps
• Peer-to-peer money transfer apps
• Digital wallets, including crypto wallets.
• Lending apps
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) apps.
• Personal information and budgeting apps
• Retail investment and trading apps
• Wealth planning apps
• Mobile robo-advisors
• Insurance elf-service apps
• DeFi apps (e.g. for staking, crypto lending)

Manufacturing and production control apps

• Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
• Product lifecycle management (PLM) systems
• BOM generation and inventory reservation apps
• Product quality management systems (QMS)
• Equipment monitoring solutions
• Machine monitoring solutions
• Condition monitoring solutions
• Product scheduling solutions
• Human-machine interface apps
• Industrial IoT (IIoT) Solutions

Public safety and emergency services

• Disaster alert and crisis management apps
• Emergency response apps (911 alternatives)
• Public health alert and epidemic tracking apps

e-Government and citizen apps

• Digital ID and government portal apps
• Tax filling and revenue services
• Social benefits and welfare access apps
• Digital voting and civic engagement apps
• Citizen reporting and feedback platforms

Entertainment and media apps

• Subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) apps
• TV license subscription, retention and maintenance apps
• Live sports and events streaming apps
• Music streaming apps
• Podcast apps

Adherence to security standards

Relying on security practices backed up by our ISO 27001 certificate, MCTG Consulting guarantees total security of user-and server-based data, queried by our application.

For more insights, get in touch

Motor Vehicle Dealerships: Seven key points to become fully FICA complaint

With the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) new Schedule 1 Amendments regarding motor vehicle dealers in place, a number of steps must be taken to ensure full FICA compliance.

In short, the changes include Motor Vehicle Dealers (MVDs) having to become Accountable Institutions instead of being just Reporting Institutions. These new measures are to ensure that vehicle dealers do not become a method of money laundering with ill-gotten gains.

There is more to FICA compliance than collecting and verifying documents. To be fully complaint, Accountable Institutions should comply with all obligations set out by the FIC.

Morningside Consulting and Training Group, a leading FICA compliance solutions provider, highlights the following obligations:

• Register with the FIC: 
• Accountable and Reporting Institutions are required to register with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC). Registration ca take place on the FIC’s goAML EE online system, which can be accessed via the FIC’s website www.fic.gov.za 
• Appoint an anti-money laundering | combating the financing of terrorism compliance officer:
• The senior management or board of directors of an Accountable Institution needs to formally appoint a compliance officer to ensure compliance with FICAA (financial Intelligence Centre Amendment Act). Ideally, the person appointed should have the competence and seniority to ensure the effectiveness of the accountable institution’s compliance function.
• Develop an RMCP:
• Accountable Institutions are required to apply a risk-based approach when establishing a business relationship and or conducting a single transaction with a client. Part of this risk-based approach includes developing controls that mitigate and manage the business’s antimony laundering risks and meet the FICAA requirements. All the controls developed and implemented should be documented to form part of the risk management and compliance programme (RMCP).
• Perform due diligence:

• Customer due diligence refers to the process of analyzing information about an individual or legal person from multiple sources to ensure your clients are who they say they are.
• It should also include verifying the identity of an individual or the registration of a legal person and this person’s address or location, obtaining information regarding the economic sector or occupation of your client: obtaining information about the nature of your client’s relationship with you; monitoring transactions; developing a risk-rating scheme to categorize your clients; checking data against third party data sources and identifying the source of funds.
• It also includes identifying whether your client, a related party, authorized person or Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) is on a sanctions list or has appeared in any adverse media.
• Submit reports to the FIC:

• Both Accountable and Reporting Institutions are obligated to report any suspicious behavior or transactions to the FIC. This includes reporting any cash transactions in excess of the threshold of R49 999.
• Other types of reports that can be submitted are known as suspicious transactions or suspicious activity reports (STRs/SARs). These reports should be submitted when there is either a transaction or activity by the client that appears to be suspicious or unusual.
• Lasty, the fourth type of report that can be submitted is a terrorist property report (TPR). A TRR should be submitted when you think your client may possess or control property belonging to a client that could be linked to terrorism.
• Record keeping:

• FICAA enquires accountable institutions to keep records of not only the due diligence that was carried out but also details of any transactions that took place – including any counterparties to those transactions. This is to ensure that evidence is available should the FIC or the authorities require it for an investigation or prosecution.
• Records must be kept for at least five years. It can be in paper or electronic form – as long as it kept securely, safely, in confidence and is accessible by the FICAA compliance officer.
• Ongoing Training:
• According to section 43 of the FICAA, accountable institutions must provide ongoing training relating to AML/CFT with the purpose of complying with the provisions set out by the FICAA and its internal compliance with the Act.

The latest FICA Amendments (2025) may require changes to internal processes. Some of the key amendments include:

• The confirmation of a risk-based approach to customer due diligence which requires the identification and assessment of an institution’s money laundering and terrorism risks.
• Additional due diligence requirements for legal persons, trusts and partnerships.
• Ongoing due diligence and scrutiny of transactions during the course of a business relationship not just at the inception of the relationship.
• Additional obligation in relation to clients who hold prominent public or private sector positions, and
• Increased intervention power by the FIC and provision for warrantless searches in specified instances.

Morningside Consulting can advise you on your compliance strategy and we also offer an outsourced onboarding compliance solution which provides risk management and compliance programmes (RCMPs), ongoing staff training, due diligence and identification assessments from former regulators and industry leaders to enable reporting to the FIC.

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Strategy & Operations Consulting

We work alongside your teams to help transform your capabilities systems, solving problems right from the start, while building resilience for the future. Our global network of Strategy & Operations professionals draws on the strength of MCTG Consulting’s full suite of professional services and industry experience to focus solutions on the real issues affecting businesses today.

What MCTG Consulting Strategy & Operations Consulting can do for you

Leading companies are taking big, transformative steps, redefining their purpose, embarking on end-to-end digital transformations and learning how to achieve disruptive innovation in a rapidly shifting market environment.

We have the breath of perspectives and depth of experience to provide strategic advice to help achieve optimal – and sustainable – results.

We create a custom approach tailored to each client’s unique situation and bring extensive business and sector experience with tested analytical techniques. As experienced advisors to the C-Suite, MCTG Consulting helps you answer:

• How can I seize growth opportunities and competitive advantage?
• What are the appropriate revenue, profitability and sustainability targets for my business?
• How can I better anticipate and adapt to digital transformation?
• Can I use an M&A strategy as an accelerant to achieve profitable growth goals?
• When is a divesture best for my long-term value?
• How can I build and secure liquidity, managing the impact of disruption between finance and operations?
• How can I win the competition for capital?

For more insights on corporate and growth strategies, transaction strategy and execution, restructuring and turnaround strategy, digital strategy consulting, get in touch 

Tax & Finance Advisory & Transactions

Tax, Finance Advisory & Transactions support, organizations and individuals where they need it.

Our Tax, Finance Advisory & Transactions teams help you manage taxes and mitigate risks related to supply chain restructuring, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), intellectual property (IP), and government credits. Serving clients from multinationals to family businesses, we help you develop and implement practical tax management strategies.

Global tax & finance advisory services for organizations of every size.

One of the biggest business tax challenges – and opportunities – lies in managing your corporate tax position and global effective tax rate. We help you apply practical tax management strategies and advise on a broad range of domestic and foreign tax matters. This helps you to make smart choices that align with your tax objectives and business operations. 

Our tax & finance advisory professionals draw on deep tax knowledge, industry experience and cutting-edge technology to inform you of your tax approach to transactions and business strategies.

With a global team located in every major financial centre in the world, we assist you whenever opportunities and challenges arise and will work side by side with you to implement successful business corporate tax strategies that reduce costs and help achieve business efficiency. 

Government Grants, Credits & Incentives – Our government grants, credits and incentives specialists provide support globally to help your organization pursue incentives and execute effective management strategies.

High-Net-Worth Individuals & Family – Whether it is for a privately owned company, a family enterprise or a high-net-worth individual, MCTG Consulting specialist can support your complex tax needs.

Intellectual Property Management – We advise you on creating, owning and monetizing intangible assets in line with your business models while evaluating the impact of these assets on your company.

Post-Meger Integration – We help identify post-merger integration tax synergies. This includes reviewing transaction documentation, releasing post-merger values and managing local requirements and tax risks

Finance & Treasury Tax Advisory – We work with you to assess, support and build the tax capability your organization’s treasury function needs today, while advising on future enhancements as your business grows.

Supply & Value Chan Tax Advisory – We help you navigate the ever-changing laws and regulations affecting how ou manage and report your taxes by integrating tax considerations into the management of your supply and value chain.

Legal Entity Structuring – Our legal entity structuring teams analyze local, bilateral and multinational treaties, laws and regulations to clarify the impact of global operating structures on your tax obligations

Accounting Method Services – Our advisory services are designed to analyze tax accounting methods, with a focus on forecasting or calculating tax liability, tax rate assessment and tax risk mitigation.

M&A Due Diligence – When our company restructures, enters new markets, or buys/sells entities, our dedicated tax and legal professionals can help you navigate complex business transactions.

Tax Controversy – We support you at each phase of a tax dispute resolution cycle. Spanning the major tax fields, our teams include former tax authority officials, alternative dispute resolution professionals, former regulators, lawyers, and more.\

Indirect Tax Recovery & Advisory – Whether you need help with the end-to-end process, or bespoke one-off advice, our specialists can help you process and manage your VAT/GST refunds and more.

Find out more. 

Learn how our Tax Transformation with Cloud ERP can benefit you and your business

• ESG professionals and consultants are turning to artificial intelligence (AI). They are using AI to streamline climate reporting processes, enhance ESG data accuracy, promote consistency in reporting, and seamlessly scale their gap analyses, making it easier to comply with ESG frameworks.
• How is AI improving ESG compliance and reporting: Use cases and benefits:

• Modern sustainability teams have to comply with evolving environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards and requirements. This, coupled with ESG compliance and reporting inefficiencies like manual processes, high data volumes, and fragmented data, makes it challenging for them to achieve their goals.
• That’s why many ESG professionals and consultants are turning to artificial intelligence (AI). They are using AI to streamline climate reporting processes, enhance ESG data accuracy, promote consistency in reporting, and seamlessly scale their gap analyses, making it easier to comply with ESG frameworks.

What is the role of AI in ESG?

# The process of developing and implementing an ESG strategy is incredibly data-driven. In fact, data is the most vital element in ESG decisions, as it acts as a compass for investors, ESG practitioners, and other business stakeholders. However, analyzing it manually is a complex and time-consuming task.

# That’s where AI comes into play. It uses machine learning algorithms to automate the analysis of large datasets, including broad and hard-to-mine ESG information, reducing the times spent on administrative tasks. As a result, teams can focus on higher-value strategic activities.

# For example, our software, an AI-powered gap analysis tool, analyzes a wide range of documents – including ESG reports, regulated public disclosures, and other materials – and transforms them into clear, easy-to-understand insights. This makes it their current disclosures and prepare regulation-compliant reports.

Use case for AI in ESG compliance and reporting

AI serves a wide range of purposes in ESG compliance and reporting, and we’ll look at the top seven here

1. Improving efficiency, speed, and consistency of gap assessments.

Gap assessments require ESG professionals to analyze vast amounts of data and identify discrepancies between existing disclosures and ESG regulations and frameworks. Without AI, this process is lengthy, complex, and prone to errors. AI elevates gap assessments by enabling ESG consultants to analyze disclosures in minutes and uncover first-pass compliance determinations to improve client reporting. It also minimizes the risk of human errors that could impact the accuracy, consistency, and quality of ESG decisions. Take software, for example. The AI-powered tool empowers consultants to efficiently identify and close reporting gaps, streamlining compliance with reduced manual effort.

1. Streamlining ESG auditing workflows

ESG audits require teams to collect, verify, and analyze data from different sources, sometimes with varying reporting formats. Unfortunately, this can make it difficult for auditors to get an accurate picture of companies’ ESG processes.AI can streamline the auditing process by gathering data and consolidating it into a unified platform. It can also automate compliance checks and simplify report preparation, allowing auditors to guide clients effectively while saving time.

1. Supporting prospecting efforts for ESG consultant

Since ESG consultants thrive on a healthy flow of clients, they need to regularly identify organizations that require their services. But with many time constraints because of their jobs, it can be difficult to find the time to prospect new clients while managing existing engagements. AI-driven tools can lighten the burden by analyzing public data – such as sustainability reports and public filings – to identify companies with potential ESG challenges that are likely to need consulting services. Consultants can also use data to tailor proposals to address specific compliance needs and secure impactful engagements.

1. Benchmarking ESG performance

Delivering benchmarking reports is a time-intensive challenge. ESG professionals often have to analyze disparate data sources when comparing an organization’s performance against peers and industry standards as a whole. AI simplifies the process by aggregating data from multiple sources. This enables consultants to make precise comparisons across industries and competitors, allowing for better insights into relative ESG performance.

1. Upskilling research for ESG consultants 

As ESG standards evolve and projects diversify, consultants have to upskill. They must rapidly gain expertise in niche topics and stay updated on dynamic ESG frameworks to not only serve their clients effectively but also remain competitive. AI-driven tools help by summarizing regulations and providing detailed, expert-driven gap analyses, with justification for each regulatory requirement. Junior consultants can then learn from these reviews, and senior experts can quickly validate their work, fostering confidence and expertise across teams. Some AI technologies can also adapt training modules to consultants’ unique learning needs, allowing them to upskill in specific ESG domains. 

1. Finding compliant disclosure examples for CSRD reporting

Since it was just implemented in 2023, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is still relatively new for many organizations. So, there’s a scarcity of high-quality reporting examples companies can emulate. AI tools address this challenge by analyzing and extracting relevant available fillings. Some then assemble a centralized library of curated, compliant quotes, allowing consultants to create exceptional reports that align with evolving standards. This accelerates report drafting and promotes compliance with CSRD requirements. 

1. Simplifying compliance for ESG auditors

ESG auditors often struggle to provide clients with sell-drafted compliance examples without assuming consultancy roles. AI tools like our software solve this problem by providing a repository of evaluated complaint disclosures. This enables auditors to offer guidance efficiently while maintaining their advisory boundaries.

Key benefits of AI in ESG compliance 

It’s normal to be skeptical about introducing new technology into your processes. So, it may be reassuring to learn that ESG teams are already using AI for research purposes, consultants are leveraging it for ESG gap analyses, and auditors are using it to automate compliance checks. You can expect these key benefits when you leverage AI models for ESG compliance:

• Saving time and resources: AI automates labor-intensive, repetitive tasks like data collection, gap analysis, and reporting, minimizing the need for manual intervention. This saves consultants a lot of time and allows them to focus on higher-value tasks like stakeholder engagement. Automating repetitive tasks also enables companies to analyze compliance requests more efficiently and facilitate quicker decision-making. 
• Reducing errors and increasing confidence: ESG-focused AI minimizes human error by standardizing information from different sources and cross-referencing datapoints. This promotes compliance with complex ESG regulations, limiting the risk of legal, financial or reputational repercussions. AI purpose-built for ESG space also helps validate data, promoting information accuracy and traceability. Data integrity is vital since it builds trust with key stakeholders like partners, investors, and regulators.
• Scalability for growing demand: AI processes large data sets quickly, allowing ESG consultants to analyze thousands of reports from numerous sources within short time frames. Fast results allow them to take on new clients and effectively respond to request for proposals (RFPs) without compromising service quality. 
• Business continuity: AI supports long-term ESG goals and strategy development by maintaining a steady flow of accurate and current insights. It helps organizations align their ESG programs with up-to-date standards and facilitates seamless compliance regardless of company restructuring or staff turnover, promoting business continuity.
• Considerations for using AI in ESG: The value of AI in ESG compliance is clear. That said, there are concerns over data inaccuracy resulting from AI hallucinations, the loss of the human touch, and ESG teams’ ability to leverage AI-driven tools effectively. For optimal outcomes in their AI adoption initiatives, organizations need to address these issues by:

• Using AI tools purpose-built for ESG compliance: Not just any AI tools will be effective for ESG regulatory compliance. Specialized platforms like our software differ from generic AI tools like ChatGPT in that they focus solely on the needs of the ESG space and have an in-depth understanding of complex ESG frameworks. So, they can provide the precision needed to meet nuanced ESG standards and avoid the risks of inaccurate outputs. 
• Including human oversight: Human expertise is necessary in AI processes to ensure that results align with regulatory requirements. To promote data accuracy and reliability, use AI solutions that bring human expertise to your processes. Our software is an excellent option because it incorporates insights from highly specialized ESG professionals and regularly conducts quality checks to ensure compliance assessments are accurate and reliable.
• Training and upskilling: AI tools will only be effective if your team knows how to use them. Invest in training programs that help each member understand basic AI functionalities, how to maximize the potential of AI systems, and to manage them efficiently. Ideally, every ESG practitioner should know how to use AI to collect data, conduct gap analyses, prepare reports, and keep up with evolving ESG requirements.

Easily integrate AI into your ESG processes with our technology

With its ability to comb through mountain of data, standardize ESG information, and automate gap analyses, AI has become a valuable tool for stakeholders in the ESG space, including organizations, ESG consultants, and auditors. To maximize its value, opt for systems purposely built for ESG compliance instead of generic options, as they have a more nuanced understanding of ESG standards. As an AI-powered tool focused on ESG, our software offers unparalleled compliance assistance. Our platform collects and analyzes extensive data sets and offers regulatory depth and data accuracy ESG-regulated organizations, consultants, and auditors need to comply with different ESG frameworks. 

Get in Touch for more information and solutions!

Warehousing | Logistics | Product Demand Optimization 

Our Warehousing | Logistics | Product Demand Optimization Consultants develop tailored solutions that seamlessly align with your business objectives, leveraging cutting-edge technology to respond to the market, unlock growth and manage risk. Our cross-disciplinary team is equipped with deep expertise in the following activities:

• Conduct detailed analysis of client supply chain operations to identify inefficiencies and areas of improvement
• Create custom solutions that address client’s specific supply chain challenges
• Develop and implement effective strategies that optimize operations, reduce costs and improve efficiency
• Analyze companies’ data, identify areas of improvement, and make recommendations for processes, technology, and equipment
• Recommend process improvements, technology, and equipment for supply chain, warehousing and product demand optimization
• Collaborate with clients’ teams to ensure successful implementation of logistics solutions
• Provide guidance and support to clients on matters related to supply chain management, product demand optimization, and warehousing efficiencies, competitiveness and reducing cost
• Monitor and track progress of logistics solutions and make adjustments as needed
• Prepare and deliver presentations to clients to communicate analysis findings and recommendations
• Develop strategies that play a pivotal role in optimizing and managing the operations within a warehouse setting, ensuring that goods are stored, handled, and transported efficiently, safely, and cost-effectively
• Apply principles of warehousing management systems (WMS), technology, and management science to improve operational systems, devise layouts for materials handling, and streamline overall logistics processes, and ultimately improve product demand
• Facilitate smooth operations and the effective management of warehousing solutions. Primarily, these include designing and implementing warehouse management systems that integrate logistics with overall business systems.
• Evaluate and improve existing logistics processes and develop solutions that enhance productivity and reduce costs.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and oversee the installation of warehouse equipment
• Develop layouts for warehousing systems that optimize space utilization and streamline processes and improve productivity and reduce costs.
• Analyzing and recommending improvements in logistics operations, systems, and processes
• Assisting in the selection, implementation, and maintenance of warehouse management systems (WMS)
• Conducting time and motion studies to identify opportunities for cost reduction and efficiency gains. Conduct research to identify industry-wide challenges facing target market organizations and working closely with other teams to create opportunities for reaching new clients.
• Collaborating with other departments to ensure that logistics considerations are integrated into overall operational strategies
• Developing risk management programs to ensure continuity of supply in emergency scenarios
• Training clients’ staff in new systems and technology relevant to logistics and warehousing.

Get in touch for more insights!