ABOUT US
DELIVERING WORLD CLASS SERVICES TO WORLD CLASS CLIENTS
ABOUT US
DELIVERING WORLD CLASS SERVICES TO WORLD CLASS CLIENTS
Integrated Reporting & Assurance Services, or ‘IRAS’ is a Close Corporation registered on the 12th of April 2011 (Registration Number: 2011/006116/07). IRAS has one Non-Executive Director, Christina Nichola, one Managing Partner and Lead Certified Sustainability Assurance Practitioner (CSAP), Michael H. Rea, full-time Associates, interns, and a group of extremely important and highly skilled "Networked Associates". Due to a total annual revenue of less than R10 million, IRAS is deemed an Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME) according to the revised Department of Trade and Industry (dti) Codes of Good Practice for Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), and thus a Level 4 Supplier. As a demonstration of our commitment to sustainability, IRAS supports socioeconomic development (SED) by directing up to 10% of all revenue (not the SA standard of 1.0% - 1.5% of Net Profit After Tax) to projects that IRAS is actively involved in. During FY2023 IRAS directed more than 10% of our total income to SED (7.5% in FY2023, 5% in 2021). As from September 2018, the bulk of all SED spend is directed to the Siyathuthuka Khalokhazi Basket Ladies project in rural KZN, with the project now providing a mix of Food Security and Microeconomic Development support for more than 20 families in a deep rural location, while donating more than 3 000 pairs of school shoes in the greater Hlabisa area. In November 2022, the local Zulu King (Nkosi Hlabisa) hosted a ceremony for Michael to invite him into the Zulu culture, granting Michael a plot of land to expand his work in the Hlabisa community.
MANAGING PARTNER AND LEAD ASSURANCE PRACTITIONER
MICHAEL
With undergrad degrees in Biology and Psychology, plus an MBA, Michael has been providing ESG/sustainability reporting and assurance services to clients in 20 countries for over 20 years.
From 2009 to 2013, Michael was the AccountAbility (UK) sole representative in SA, training over 130 new Certified Sustainability Assurance Providers (CSAPs), in partnership with the ACCA and the University of Stellenbosch Graduate School of Business.
CLICK HERE to connect with Michael on LinkedIn.
MANAGING PARTNER AND LEAD ASSURANCE PRACTITIONER
MICHAEL
With undergrad degrees in Biology and Psychology, plus an MBA, Michael has been providing ESG/sustainability reporting and assurance services to clients in 20 countries for over 20 years.
From 2009 to 2013, Michael was the AccountAbility (UK) sole representative in SA, training over 130 new Certified Sustainability Assurance Providers (CSAPs), in partnership with the ACCA and the University of Stellenbosch Graduate School of Business.
Originally from Canada, Michael moved to South Africa in 1999 and considers himself a ‘wannabe S’African’. He created IRAS as a shared value entity that generates income as a means to have an over-sized socioeconomic impact on our employees, our business partners, and the beneficiaries of the Siyathuthuka Khalokhazi Basket Ladies project: a 100% Black Female microeconomic development project based in northern KZN.
A passionate e-cyclist, Michael rode across Canada (Victoria to Halifax) in 2018, and from Cairo to Francistown (Botswana) in 2019. The plan for September 2023 is to finally return to Francistown and complete the last leg of his ‘Cairo to Cape Town Carbon Free’ ride.
CLICK HERE to connect with Michael on LinkedIn.
JUNIOR ASSOCIATE & RESEARCH MANAGEMENT
MERISKA
Having returned to Durban following four years of study at the University of the Witwatersrand (‘Wits’), Meriska relocated to start her career at IRAS just before the launch of our 2022 research report in August 2022.
Meriska completed her BSc in Geology and MSc in Environmental Science, with her postgraduate research focused on using fossil pollen as proxy records to reconstruct past environments.
Her Masters’ dissertation entailed the reconstruction of past climatic conditions in the Angolan highlands to assess the accuracy of data gathered in conflict-affected regions. This project was a part of the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project.
Meriska has a keen interest in sustainable development and environment-related issues.
CLICK HERE to connect with Meriska on LinkedIn.
RESEARCH INTERN
SIBO
Sibonginkosi (‘Sibo’) relocated from Zimbabwe to Johannesburg in May 2023 to join IRAS as an Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Research Intern. He completed a BSc Honours degree in Geography and Environmental Studies at Midlands State University in Zimbabwe prior to developing professional experience in sustainability reporting and assurance with EY in Harare, and Safety, Health and Quality Management at Verify Engineering.
Sibo has a keen interest in sustainability and environmental issues. Prior to joining IRAS, Sibo was an active volunteer in Climate Justice and Environmental Activism, participating in several youth-led initiatives for environmental justice in Zimbabwe, with a focus on other African countries (Botswana, The Gambia and Zambia).
Sibonginkosi is a certified leader within various global organisations, including the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation for Social Democracy, from which he received a Youth Leadership Certificate. Sibo believes that Teamwork makes Dreamwork possible.
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
BEKE
Following more than 15 years working as a lead ISO auditor in Zimbabwe Bekezela Chuma joined IRAS in January 2023. As an experienced ISO management systems third party auditor, Beke has taken the lead on guiding the rest of the IRAS team through a series of Environmental, Health & Safety and Quality learning and development (L&D) opportunities.
Beke joined IRAS out of a keen interest in pursuing sustainability from an ESG data transparency, reporting and assurance perspective, with a desire to promote a range of key sustainability issues within companies.
Beke holds a BSc in Chemistry & Biology as well as a Masters’ degree in Business Administration (MBA), culminating in a dissertation that focused on investigating the effects of implementing ISO SHEQ standards on business sustainability.
After working within IRAS in Joburg for 3 months, Beke returned to Zimbabwe to establish her own business on her own turf, while continuing to care for her three boys (including her husband). As of 01 June 2023, Beke and IRAS will continue to work together, with Beke representing IRAS as a Primary Networked Associate, participating in IRAS projects as and when her skills and experience are required.
Originally from Canada, Michael moved to South Africa in 1999 and considers himself a ‘wannabe S’African’. He created IRAS as a shared value entity that generates income as a means to have an over-sized socioeconomic impact on our employees, our business partners, and the beneficiaries of the Siyathuthuka Khalokhazi Basket Ladies project: a 100% Black Female microeconomic development project based in northern KZN.
A passionate e-cyclist, Michael rode across Canada (Victoria to Halifax) in 2018, and from Cairo to Francistown (Botswana) in 2019. The plan for September 2023 is to finally return to Francistown and complete the last leg of his ‘Cairo to Cape Town Carbon Free’ ride.
JUNIOR ASSOCIATE
DANIËLLE
After finishing a three-year diploma in Sustainable Development from The School of Public Leadership in Stellenbosch, Daniëlle decided to move to Johannesburg in pursuit of seeing what sustainability in action looks like, joining IRAS in February 2023.
In her studies, Daniëlle explored a range of skills, including inter-cultural communication, green economics, systems thinking, sustainable design principles and eco-literacy. She took a special interest in imagery and the role it could play in making information more accessible. She believes that this can be utilised to inspire sustainable action.
Daniëlle holds the belief that sustainability is an intuitive and community-based activity which can be re-ignited through a re-connection with each other, our heritage and the ecosystems that we exist in. This interest lends itself to IRAS’s Sustainability Data Transparency Index (SDTI) Research that IRAS produces on an annual basis.
JUNIOR ASSOCIATE & RESEARCH MANAGEMENT
MERISKA
Having returned to Durban following four years of study at the University of the Witwatersrand (‘Wits’), Meriska relocated to start her career at IRAS just before the launch of our 2022 research report in August 2022.
Meriska completed her BSc in Geology and MSc in Environmental Science, with her postgraduate research focused on using fossil pollen as proxy records to reconstruct past environments.
Her Masters’ dissertation entailed the reconstruction of past climatic conditions in the Angolan highlands to assess the accuracy of data gathered in conflict-affected regions. This project was a part of the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project.
Meriska has a keen interest in sustainable development and environment-related issues.
CLICK HERE to connect with Meriska on LinkedIn.
RESEARCH INTERN
SIBO
Sibonginkosi (‘Sibo’) relocated from Zimbabwe to Johannesburg in May 2023 to join IRAS as an Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Research Intern. He completed a BSc Honours degree in Geography and Environmental Studies at Midlands State University in Zimbabwe prior to developing professional experience in sustainability reporting and assurance with EY in Harare, and Safety, Health and Quality Management at Verify Engineering.
Sibo has a keen interest in sustainability and environmental issues. Prior to joining IRAS, Sibo was an active volunteer in Climate Justice and Environmental Activism, participating in several youth-led initiatives for environmental justice in Zimbabwe, with a focus on other African countries (Botswana, The Gambia and Zambia).
Sibonginkosi is a certified leader within various global organisations, including the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation for Social Democracy, from which he received a Youth Leadership Certificate. Sibo believes that Teamwork makes Dreamwork possible.
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
BEKE
Following more than 15 years working as a lead ISO auditor in Zimbabwe Bekezela Chuma joined IRAS in January 2023. As an experienced ISO management systems third party auditor.
Beke joined IRAS out of a keen interest in pursuing sustainability from an ESG data transparency, reporting and assurance perspective, with a desire to promote a range of key sustainability issues within companies.
Beke holds a BSc in Chemistry & Biology as well as a Masters’ degree in Business Administration (MBA), culminating in a dissertation that focused on investigating the effects of implementing ISO SHEQ standards on business sustainability.
After working within IRAS in Joburg for 3 months, Beke returned to Zimbabwe to establish her own business on her own turf, while continuing to care for her three boys (including her husband). As of 01 June 2023, Beke and IRAS will continue to work together, with Beke representing IRAS as a Primary Networked Associate, participating in IRAS projects as and when her skills and experience are required.
IRAS IS RECRUITING
JULY 2023
Individuals seeking to expand their knowledge and experience beyond their first post-varsity job are invited to submit a brief CV (maximum of 2 pages) to michael@iras.co.za.
The job consists of analysing information collected and collated by our SDTI research and translating the information into guidance material required to inform the advisory and/or assurance services IRAS provides to its clients.
A minimum of 2 years’ prior consulting experience is required, preferably in the ESG/Sustainability space, and with specific experience in the provision of independent third-party assurance over the ESG/Sustainability content within integrated annual reports and/or sustainability reports.
Key skills include the ability to effectively utilise both Word and Excel, while demonstrating the ability to pay very close attention to detail (ATD).
IRAS is currently seeking to fill at least one position (possibly three) for our Johannesburg office, noting the following:
Ours is a very small company and our offices are in an expanded work-from-home environment in Parkhurst, where the atmosphere is structured around being “highly relaxed”, inclusive of a “come as you are” dress code (while in office…business casual for most client facing activities).
Due to the nature and size of our company, IRAS is in a unique position to offer junior associates the opportunity to quickly develop the skills and knowledge required to participate in client-facing work in direct partnership with our highly experienced team leader.
Compensation is based on level of experience, with a reasonably aggressive escalation of earnings plan for persons starting out as interns. Our goal is to be competitive within the market while maintaining our own level of economic sustainability balanced with strategic competitiveness within our field.
Salaries (excluding interns/trainees) are supplemented by shared revenue bonuses on a quarterly basis if/when pre-determined revenue targets are achieved.
Our work hours are from 08h00 to 17h00 with an hour lunch break. However, due to the nature of our client engagements, working beyond normal hours is to be expected (and required, within reason). In many cases, such as when travel to/from client locations occurs over weekends, consideration is automatically given to the provision of “leave in lieu” (i.e., compensation in the form of additional days off).
Annual Leave is four weeks per annum, of which a minimum of three weeks is guided by the December/January holiday period. All leave outside the year-end shut down period must be planned in advance, and any/all leave not taken during a calendar year from date of employment will be lost.
Two weeks (10 days) of study leave per annum, over and above annual leave, is made available to any/all employees working towards a second (or subsequent) degree at a local university.
Ongoing self-enrichment and/or awareness training is required of ALL employees – inclusive of the Managing Partner – and forms a key component of any/all bonus and/or salary increase considerations. This form of learning is expected to occur outside normal working hours.
Integrated Reporting & Assurance Services (IRAS) is seeking two ESG/Sustainability Research Internship candidates, to assist us with our annual research.
Having conducted Sustainability Data Transparency Index (SDTI) reviews for all 252 JSE listed companies within our 2023 research population sample, IRAS is currently pulling the data together for the research report we will be issuing on Thursday the 27th of July 2023.
To gain an understanding of what we intend to produce, our 2022 research report can be found on our website at IRAS-2022-REPORT-D-FINAL-24-MAY.pdf (iras-esg.com)
In preparation for our 2024 report, IRAS is seeking two Research Interns for a start date of 01 August 2023, for a period of three months.
Candidates must have completed no less than an Honours degree in any subject, with preference given to Sciences (including Environmental Science) and Business (BCom or other), and must be able to analyse data, use Excel (preferably beyond a basic open/save/print skill level), write effectively and both walk and chew gum at the same time (i.e., “multi-task”). It’s worth noting that almost ALL MBA graduates proved themselves to be ineffective, whereas BCom graduates have been very successful, and that one of our all-time BEST interns was a guy who had an undergrad degree in Outdoor Recreation (i.e., He was able to survive a canoe trip and write about it)…so we’re not painfully exclusive on who can apply.
Local candidates will be paid a reasonable starting wage (R7 500 per month), with the potential to obtain significant increases and more permanent employment upon completion of the internship period.
International candidates will be afforded flights, accommodation and a basic monthly stipend (R5 000) in exchange for a minimum 3-month commitment, with the potential to extend the position for up to 6 months.
Pre-COVID, our interns came from Canada, the UK, France, Italy, the UAE, Guadeloupe, Iran and Ethiopia, with more than 30 internationals having cycled through our programme (one ultimately working with us for nearly three years).
Our interns are afforded opportunities to participate in client-facing work, volunteerism activities, and various Learning & Development activities.
About IRAS…
Beyond the information shared on our website, it’s important to note that IRAS is a very small company with what we believe to be a very large impact. Our research exceeds that of any of our local and/or international peers by a wide margin and is used by numerous stakeholders to effect change with respect to Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) transparency and accountability. We tend to work in an extremely informal environment – when not at client sites – and try to engage each other in a manner that seeks to develop employee-specific ESG interests.
Our hours are from 08h00 to 17h00 daily (sometimes a bit longer if/when we’re under pressure to complete assignments), and our goal is to avoid weekend work (with very few exceptions).
Our offices are based at the boss’s home, in a neighbourhood that lends itself well to team lunches (mostly at the boss’s expense), and work-from-home scenarios occur on a fairly regular basis (post-internship).
The job is based in Johannesburg, with zero potential for change within the first year of employment.
Site visits are always the ultimate prize, noting that anyone who’s ever watched Discovery Channel’s “How It’s Made” will have a sense of how our team benefits from doing the work we do for our clients.
Our team members are encouraged to self-educate whenever possible, noting that a demonstrated commitment to personal and professional Learning & Development (L&D) is rewarded through irregular bonuses and/or salary increases. More importantly, our team members are encouraged to identify projects that they want to develop, using our extensive experience and contacts to help facilitate the sort of career development larger firms cannot easily facilitate.
Interested candidates are asked to send a short CV (max 2 pages) to michael@iras.co.za by no later than Friday the 14th of July 2023, with the position starting as early as 01 August 2023.
IRAS is Hiring – a Disabled Person!
Integrated Reporting & Assurance Services (IRAS) is seeking to hire a Disabled Person (of any disability) to participate in our ESG/Sustainability Research Internship programme, to assist us with our annual research.
Having conducted Sustainability Data Transparency Index (SDTI) reviews for all 250 JSE listed companies within our 2023 research population sample, IRAS is currently pulling the data together for the research report we will be issuing on Wednesday the 8th of August 2023.
To gain an understanding of what we intend to produce, our 2022 research report can be found on our website at IRAS-2022-REPORT-D-FINAL-24-MAY.pdf (iras-esg.com)
In preparation for our 2024 report, IRAS is seeking to hire THREE Research Interns for a start date of 01 August 2023, of which no less than ONE position is reserved a disabled candidate.
Candidates must have completed no less than an Honours degree in any subject, with preference given to Sciences (including Environmental Science) and Business (BCom or other), and must be able to analyse data, use Excel (preferably beyond a basic open/save/print skill level), write effectively and both walk and chew gum at the same time (i.e., “multi-task”). It’s worth noting that almost ALL MBA graduates proved themselves to be ineffective, whereas BCom graduates have been very successful, and that one of our all-time BEST interns was a guy who had an undergrad degree in Outdoor Recreation (i.e., He was able to survive a canoe trip and write about it)…so we’re not painfully exclusive on who can apply.
Candidates will be paid a reasonable starting wage (R7 500 per month), with the potential to obtain significant increases and more permanent employment upon completion of the internship period.
Pre-COVID, our interns came from Canada, the UK, France, Italy, the UAE, Guadeloupe, Iran and Ethiopia, with more than 30 internationals having cycled through our programme (one ultimately working with us for nearly three years).
Our interns are afforded opportunities to participate in client-facing work, volunteerism activities, and various Learning & Development activities.
About IRAS…
Beyond the information shared on our website, it’s important to note that IRAS is a very small company with what we believe to be a very large impact. Our research exceeds that of any of our local and/or international peers by a wide margin and is used by numerous stakeholders to effect change with respect to Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) transparency and accountability. We tend to work in an extremely informal environment – when not at client sites – and try to engage each other in a manner that seeks to develop employee-specific ESG interests.
Our hours are from 08h00 to 17h00 daily (sometimes a bit longer if/when we’re under pressure to complete assignments), and our goal is to avoid weekend work (with very few exceptions).
Our offices are based at the boss’s home, in a neighbourhood that lends itself well to team lunches (mostly at the boss’s expense), and work-from-home scenarios occur on a fairly regular basis (post-internship).
The job is based in Johannesburg, with zero potential for change within the first year of employment.
Site visits are always the ultimate prize, noting that anyone who’s ever watched Discovery Channel’s “How It’s Made” will have a sense of how our team benefits from doing the work we do for our clients.
Our team members are encouraged to self-educate whenever possible, noting that a demonstrated commitment to personal and professional Learning & Development (L&D) is rewarded through irregular bonuses and/or salary increases. More importantly, our team members are encouraged to identify projects that they want to develop, using our extensive experience and contacts to help facilitate the sort of career development larger firms cannot easily facilitate.
The Disabled Person Candidate
At least one position is specifically set aside for a Disabled Person, noting that IRAS is planning to expand our annual research and reporting on the recruitment, training and development of disabled persons within JSE listed companies, and we’re looking for someone with first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to navigate life with a disability. While we understand that our offices may not currently accommodate extreme physical challenges, we’re willing to make adjustments and investments to accommodate the right candidate.
IRAS previously employed a Graphic Designer with less than 30% vision, or “legally blind”, and has supported persons with physical challenges associates with Cerebral Palsy. Our offices can already accommodate wheelchair access, and we’re confident that our experience with deaf persons would result in a quick transition to full support.
IRAS is an Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME) under the dti Codes of Good Practice for Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), so this posting has NOTHING to do with “earning points”. Rather, our continued involvement with the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) consistently reminds us that we need to do more to actively recruit a disabled person to assist IRAS with the change we are trying to be.
Interested candidates are asked to send a short CV (max 2 pages) to michael@iras.co.za by no later than Friday the 28th of July 2023, with the position starting as early as 01 August 2023 (latest 01 September 2023).
