Despite limited funding opportunities in the accounting sciences discipline, go-getters such as Prof Georgina Phillipina "Philna" Coetzee are not afraid to ask or pursue what they want. Coetzee, a National Research Foundation (NRF) C2-rated researcher, who was the Deputy Executive Dean of the College of Accounting Sciences (CAS) at Unisa when she received the rating at the 2020 Research & Innovation Awards, continues to contribute in producing high-quality research in her field.

Winning this award for Coetzee is important since most of her reviewers were international scholars. "She is an implementer and someone who knows how to get things done," says Prof Stella Nkomo from the University of Pretoria (UP) in the Human Resources (HR) Department. As Coetzee’s mentor, Nkomo is happy about the C2 rating. "That means in the majority of reviewers, six independent ones admit that her research has an international impact," she says.

In 2009, they worked together at UP where Nkomo was a Chair and she says Coetzee volunteered to be the member of her research committee. Nkomo confirms it was great to work with someone who has an important factor of demonstrating efforts. "There was no research culture among academics in the field of accounting when she started, but her internal motivation and passion made things easy. She became a runner in a race to hunt for funding opportunities."

Nkomo continued to say that for sourcing out research funds one needs to be resilient. "Coetzee doesn’t take no for an answer; she keeps on looking, asking, and persuading funders, both in the private and public sector."

Obtaining funds for research projects

Coetzee has obtained funding from various institutions. She received R559 578 for a research project that ended in 2014. This was funded by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA SA) and National Treasury to determine the standing of and demand for internal auditing in the public sector. She notes: "One research book and four technical reports were printed and distributed amongst IIA members, government employees, and presented at Parliament. More than 40 articles have been published thus far."

Moreover, the NRF allocated R300 000 to a project titled Host Meditari International Research Conference in 2016, while the Unisa research grant office allocated R450 000 to the project titled: Audit Committees in South Africa. The funding assisted eight students—some who are Unisa staff members and some who are from the Tshwane University of Technology—to complete their master’s and PhD studies. The duration of the project was from 2017 to 2019.

During her nearly 25 years with UP, Coetzee also had great success in encouraging and supporting faculty members with their research. "Most staff who reported to me obtained their higher degrees, and I have been responsible for various initiatives to promote research."

In addition, she notes: "I was asked by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) to drive collaborative research for the profession, where 50 members represented by South African SAICA-accredited universities are currently investigating professional relevant initiatives."

Coetzee’s research paradigm is pragmatic, and her general research focus has always been internal auditing, with emphasis on its position in governance, the role of internal auditing in managing organisational risks and the competencies required by internal auditors to accomplish this role.

In her academic career, Coetzee published in both national and international peer reviewed research journals, presented various papers at national and international conferences. She completed her BCom, BCom (Hons), and MCom at UP and her PhD at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Now Coetzee has a contract with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) assisting the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Finance to drive research. "I am in the process of developing a strategic plan for the faculty and I am assisting staff and students with a variety of research-related activities. For the moment I am enjoying the mentorship role! Who knows what the future holds!"

* By Lesego Ravhudzulo, Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement