An auditing practice for sale in South Africa carries a specific due-diligence checklist. Start with the IRBA registration: confirm it is in good standing, that the engagement partner profile is transferable, and that assurance clients understand the independence rules that apply after a change of ownership.
Then look at retention. Assurance fees are recurring, but they are also personal — if the signing partner leaves, clients often follow. Ask for fee-by-client history over three years, review the largest ten clients for concentration, and meet the audit managers who will stay on after the handover.
