Associate Professor, Wits’ School of Accountancy
Associate Professor Wayne van Zijl CA(SA) works at Wits’ School of Accountancy. He has distinguished himself through his supervision of over 30 honours and 17 master’s students. The research covers a range of topics includingNGO accounting, stokvels in South Africa, accounting for human capital (intangible assets), the JSE’s Proactive Monitoring Unit, the challenges of small- and mid-cap JSE listed firms when it comes to IFRS-compliance, and audit committee effectiveness.
In addition to working closely with postgraduate students, Wayne has published 10 journal articles, some of them in leading international accounting journals such as the Australian Accounting Review, Accounting Forum, the British Accounting Review and Critical Perspectives on Accounting. One of Wayne’s papers (examining the government’s response to COVID-19) has been downloaded a record 15 000 times since its publication in August 2022.
Wayne has co-authored two book chapters and 30 conference papers. He is a section and associate editor of the South African Journal of Economic and Management Science and Meditari Accountancy Research. Wayne is the deputy chair of the Wits-recognised Centre for Critical Accounting and Auditing Research (CCAAR).
Inside the classroom, Wayne differentiates himself from his colleagues by integrating his research into lectures. His research drives his teaching innovation. Most recently, to inspire excellence in CA students, he developed an integrated project that takes students through the process of starting their own businesses. This ensures students develop key entrepreneurial and business skills that will help them succeed as difference makers.
Wayne’s interests extend beyond teaching and research to environmental conservation. Wayne recently embarked on an epic journey with fellow professor Kurt ’Indiana Jones’ Sartorius, Benn Sartorius and Esdras Barbosa to paddle over 1 100 km down the Rio Madeira, the major tributary to the Amazon. They set out to raise awareness of and funding for projects to tackle climate change. Notable supporters include Mervin King, SAICA and prominent South African corporates. The journey saw the team navigating illegal gold miners, dehydration, storms, hungry mosquitoes and river pirates. The project is ongoing and you are encouraged to visit https://devman.wits.ac.za/devman/accountantssaveplanet/giving/. More details on the project and stories from the adventure will follow in a presentation expected in early November this year.
