Public Interest Score Calculator

Every company and close corporation registered in South Africa must calculate its Public Interest Score (PIS) at the end of each financial year in terms of Regulation 26(2) of the Companies Regulations, 2011. The score determines which financial reporting framework applies and whether the entity's annual financial statements require an audit, an independent review, or neither. Fill in the fields below — the score and the audit/review outcome update as you type.

Note: this calculator applies to profit companies and close corporations. Non-profit companies, public companies and state-owned companies (SOCs) are always subject to audit regardless of PIS — the tool flags this automatically where relevant.

00 Entity Details

Company / CC name

Used on the printed report. Leave blank to print without a named entity.

Financial year end

The financial year end this Public Interest Score is being calculated for.

01 Type of Entity

Private Company / Close Corporation (Pty) Ltd or CC — the PIS thresholds below apply in full. Personal Liability Company Inc. — same PIS-based rules as a private company. Non-Profit Company (NPC) Audit required if incorporated by an organ of state, or if it holds assets in a fiduciary capacity for unrelated parties above the R5m threshold. Public Company / State-Owned Company Always required to be audited, regardless of PIS.

02 How Were the Financial Statements Compiled?

Independently Compiled by a person outside the company — e.g. an external accountant or accounting firm, acting independently of management. Internally Compiled in-house — e.g. by a director, financial manager, or in-house bookkeeper/accountant.

03 Public Interest Score Factors

Under Regulation 26(2), the score is the sum of four factors. Enter the figures for the financial year being assessed.

Average number of employees

One point per employee, averaged over the financial year. Where the number fluctuates, use the average headcount for the period.

0 points

Third party liabilities at year end

One point for every R1 million or part thereof owed to unrelated third parties (loans, trade creditors, bank debt) at the financial year end. Related-party and shareholder loans are generally excluded.

0 points

Total turnover during the financial year

One point for every R1 million or part thereof in turnover for the financial year.

0 points

Number of individuals with a beneficial interest

One point for every individual known, at year end, to directly or indirectly hold a beneficial interest in the entity's issued securities (e.g. shareholders or members).

0 points

04 Engagement Type Factors

These override the PIS-based outcome — any "yes" here means an audit or review is required regardless of the score.

Is the entity required to be audited in terms of its Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI)?

Many MOIs impose a mandatory audit requirement even where the Companies Act itself would not.

Did the entity hold assets in a fiduciary capacity greater than R5 million for an unrelated party at any stage during the year?

E.g. attorneys' trust accounts, estate agents' trust funds, or similar arrangements — this always triggers a mandatory audit.

Are any shareholders/members of the entity not also directors (i.e. the entity is not owner-managed)?

"Owner-managed" means every person with a beneficial interest in the securities is also a director. If any shareholder is not a director, answer yes.

Voluntary audit

The board or shareholders have resolved to have the annual financial statements audited even though it is not otherwise required.

05 Result

Public Interest Score

0points

Small Company

PIS below 100

Score Breakdown

Factor	Input	Points

Important: this calculator is provided as a general guide based on Regulations 26 to 30 of the Companies Regulations, 2011, made under the Companies Act 71 of 2008. It does not constitute legal, audit or accounting advice, and does not consider every possible exemption, sector-specific requirement, or nuance in "third party liability" and "beneficial interest" definitions (for example, treatment of related-party loans, deferred tax, or group structures). Where the outcome is uncertain, borderline, or has a significant impact, we recommend obtaining a formal opinion from a registered auditor or chartered accountant. Contact TMT Chartered Accountants Inc., our assurance partner, for a definitive assessment.

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