VAT Navigator Certificate Programme:
VAT Compliance & Administration
VAT Navigator Certificate Programme: VAT Compliance & Administration is a practical, systems-driven programme designed to equip finance and tax professionals with the skills required to apply, manage and control VAT accurately in practice. With SARS placing increased scrutiny on VAT coding, VAT201 accuracy, refund claims and transaction-level data, this programme focuses on building robust, defensible VAT compliance frameworks within organisations and client environments.
Start Date:
30 March 2026
Course Duration:
18 Weeks
Platform
Moodle
CPD Points
18 Points
Course Fee
R5,405 (incl VAT)
Course Overview
The course is built around real-world VAT workflows – from registration and transaction processing through to VAT201 submission, refund readiness and audit interaction. Participants gain hands-on exposure to common compliance failures, practical correction strategies and preventative controls, enabling them to reduce audit risk and improve VAT accuracy across the full VAT lifecycle.
This certificate is ideal for professionals responsible for day-to-day VAT compliance, reporting and process ownership, and for those seeking to strengthen their operational VAT competence in an increasingly data-driven SARS environment.
Course Episode Roll-out
Orientation and Introduction
Live Session
Episode 1
VAT Fundamentals & “Where Things Go Wrong” – Recorded Session
Episode 2
Speaker: Michelle Hawkins
VAT Updates & Future-Proofing – Recorded Session
Episode 3
Sector Hotspots: Property, NPO, and “Weird” Transactions – Recorded Session
Episode 4
VAT Registration, Supplies & the VAT201 in Practice – Recorded Session
Episode 5
VAT Audits, Refunds & Dispute Strategy – Live Session
Episode 6
Complex VAT Scenarios & Case Law – Live Session
Who Should Enrol?
Tax Practitioners and Tax Consultants
Accountants
Auditors
Bookkeepers
Financial Managers
Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners
Meet The Speaker
episode 1,2 & 4 speaker
Michelle Hawkins
Senior Tax Specialist
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With over a decade of dedicated service at the South African Revenue Service (SARS), as a Senior Specialist in Tax Court Litigation, Michelle’s expertise’s in tax law, honed through a Master of Laws degree and practical application, has been the backbone of her career.
Michelle joined PKF Johannesburg in March 2025, and has leveraged her analytical skills to navigate complex tax litigation, drafting technical tax opinions and advise clients on the intricacies of tax.
Qualifications:
Master of Laws – LLM, Tax Law/Taxation – University of Pretoria
Bachelor of Laws – LLB Law – University of South Africa
B.Proc, Law – University of South Africa
episode 3 Speaker
Tosca Dos Santos
Chartered Accountant (SA) and Registered Tax Practitioner
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Tosca Dos Santos is a Chartered Accountant (SA) and Registered Tax Practitioner with a Master’s degree in taxation and with over 26 years’ experience across advisory, corporate, and academia.
She currently serves as a Director: Tax Services at Kreston Advisory Pretoria.
Tosca previously served for over a decade as Group Tax Executive at Telkom SA SOC Ltd. and was a Tax Director at KPMG. Her expertise includes tax risk management, transaction advisory, and managing complex SARS audits and disputes. She has also lectured at postgraduate level in taxation.
episode 4 Speaker
Tatiana Meyer
Tax Compliance Manager
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I am a Tax Compliance Manager with 16 years of experience specialising in South African tax compliance and SARS engagements. As a registered SAIT practitioner, I have dedicated my career to helping clients navigate complex compliance requirements with clarity, accuracy, and confidence.
My work centres on managing end‑to‑end compliance processes, handling SARS reviews and queries, and resolving technical tax challenges efficiently. I am passionate about problem‑solving and delivering exceptional client service, and I strive to bring a practical, solutions‑driven approach to every engagement.
Over the years, I have built a strong reputation for my technical competence, attention to detail, and commitment to high professional standards. I enjoy sharing knowledge and contributing to the profession.
episode 5 Speaker
Gert van Heerden
Head: Technical Practitioner Relations & Support
(BCom, LLB, LLM)
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Gert van Heerden leads the Technical Practitioner Relations & Support team, where his focus is on supporting tax practitioners and strengthening constructive engagement within the tax profession. Having worked both at the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the Office of the Tax Ombud, Gert brings a practitioner‑aware perspective to tax administration and understands the practical realities faced by those working on the front line of compliance.
His experience across tax administration, dispute resolution and taxpayer rights has shaped a strong appreciation for fair, reasonable and transparent processes, and the role these play in building confidence in the tax system.
Through his work, Gert remains committed to contributing to a professional, well‑supported tax community and to advancing a tax environment that works effectively for both practitioners and taxpayers.
episode 6 Speaker
Gerhard Badenhorst
Director in the Tax practice of Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
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Gerhard Badenhorst is a Director in the Tax practice of Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr. He is a chartered accountant and specialises in value-added tax (“VAT”) matters since VAT was introduced in South Africa. He advises various industries, including financial services, mining, manufacturing, retail and real estate industries. Gerhard acts for various private, public and multinational corporations and non-profit organisations. He is a guest lecturer on VAT at the University of Pretoria and the University of the Witwatersrand, and served as an ad hoc member of the VAT sub-committee of the Davis Tax Committee. Gerhard is the co-author of the LexisNexis publication Value Added Tax in South Africa: Commentary.
