Were you always planning to be an accountant and why? 

 

Yes, I enjoyed watching Company's grow from nothing. I mostly enjoy the Income Tax though. 

 

 

When meeting with clients do they mostly come to your own premises or do you mostly go their theirs?

My clients come to my office

 

 

What is your preferred mode of communication with your clients?

Email, Phone, Face to Face

 

 

Have you ever done an online video call with a client?

Yes

 

 

What do you love most about accounting?

I like explaining to clients how to assess their business needs based on their Income Statement and Balance sheet. 

 

 

Would you recommend accounting as a career for school-leavers, and why?

Yes I would. I would advise them to start with a basic degree such as a B Com and then decide which field they prefer regarding Income Tax, CA (SA) , Economics, Financial Management. I started studying with a focus on CA(SA) and realised I didn’t want to go that route and chose Tax . The financial field has never steered me wrong and I have always had a job when I was younger, and a firm now that I am older.

 

 

What qualities should South African business people be looking for in their accountant?

The Personal Touch. An Accountant must truly care about your business and in what direction your business needs to grow. They should not treat you like a number.

 

 

What is the biggest challenge facing accountants today?

Clients not paying and not appreciating our service. (In My Opinion). I think the constant change in knowledge and keeping up to date with our CPD is also a challenge.

 

 

What aspects of accounting do you focus on most?

Small Businesses and Taxation

 

 

Describe your average client:

Small Businesses and Taxation

 

 

How far away from your premises is your furthest client?

Boksburg

 

 

From your accounting experience, if you could cite one of the biggest reasons SME's in SA fail, what would it be?

Owners mismanage their funds by using their cash flow for personal expenses, instead of assessing their personal budget and drawing a salary. To conclude, Mismanagement of cash flow is their biggest downfall.

 

 

What accounting software do you like best?

Pastel Partner

 

 

What other software, online services or apps do you use?

Quickbooks

 

 

Do you think the coming wave of automation in the next few years will steal some accounting jobs and why/why not?

Initially, it might. But automation is quite specific regarding IT Codes and I don’t think the consumer will benefit from automation due to the Knowledge that an Accountant can give them. SARS has automated the Personal Income Tax Returns, which has saved the basic taxpayer funds, however, when audited, Taxpayers fall apart due to lack of knowledge and end up paying more to SARS due to errors by the individual.

 

 

What is your opinion on Bitcoin?

A Form of currency?

 

 

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Working. Spending time with my kids

 

 

What is the most interesting thing on your bucket list?

Travelling to the Maldives.

 

 

What has your experience been on FindanAccountant?

This is a great platform for accountants.