National Treasury publishes 2025/26 Specimen AFS for Departments

Posted 09 October 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Financial and Accounting

Brought to you by SA Accounting Academy: The National Treasury has issued the official reporting template for the 2025/2026 financial year to ensure departmental compliance with the Modified Cash Standard.

In terms of the reporting framework established under the Public Finance Management Act, No. 1 of 1999, the Office of the Accountant General has released the Specimen Annual Financial Statements (AFS) for National and Provincial Departments for the year ending 31 March 2026.

The specimen provides the mandatory structure and disclosure requirements that departments must follow to ensure their financial reporting aligns with the Modified Cash Standard (MCS). This 158-page document serves as the primary template for the 2025/2026 reporting cycle, facilitating consistency across all spheres of national and provincial government.

Key components of the specimen include:

  • Standardised formats for the Statement of Financial Performance and Statement of Financial Position.
  • Detailed templates for Appropriation Statements and related disclosure notes.
  • Updated accounting policies and notes to the financial statements reflecting the latest MCS requirements.

The document is hosted on the Modified Cash Standard Knowledge Hub. To access the publication and receive future updates, practitioners must register a profile on the National Treasury Learning Management System (LMS).

Click here to download the 158-page Word-document specimen.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; however, professionals serving the public sector must ensure technical proficiency in the specific MCS disclosure nuances contained in this 2025/26 template.
  • For your business: Audit firms and accounting practices must update their 2026 work programs, disclosure checklists, and automated reporting software to align with the 158-page specimen structure.
  • For your clients: National and provincial departments must ensure their financial reporting systems are configured to capture the data required for the 31 March 2026 year-end in accordance with this official template.

Originally published at https://accountingacademy.co.za/news/read/national-treasury-2026-departmental-specimen-afs-template

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