See full profile: Rayton, Pretoria Accountant - Cornelis Legemaat
Were you always planning to be an accountant and why?
Yes, but not on the scale it currently is. I grew up on a farm and always wanted to farm, but I love accounting and at least wanted to have a degree in accounting. You need to know how to run your business properly. Now, years later, I'm a Chartered Accountant and recently added the CGMA designation to my qualifications.
When meeting with clients do they mostly come to your own premises or do you mostly go theirs?
I mostly go to my clients
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?
The story that is being told by the figures and trends over a period of time. The more data available, the more info can be extracted and being analysed.
Would you recommend accounting as a career for school-leavers, and why?
Yes for sure, if you understand the basics of accounting and love figures, do this. You can be the pillar of an entrepreneurs business by providing accurate and necessary information. Remember, do accounting for the love of it, not if you think you will get rich quickly.
What qualities should South African business people be looking for in their accountant?
Does your accountant understand your business? What skills and experience will your accountant bring to the table to improve your business? Your business comes first and you need to find the right people to help you in the right direction.
What aspects of accounting do you focus on most?
Your balance sheet. Your income statement is the result of the actions taken on your balance sheet. If your balance sheet is not healthy, the effect will show in your income statement.
How far away from your premises is your furthest client?
Our furthest client is about 130km from us.
From your accounting experience, if you could cite one of the biggest reasons SME's in SA fail, what would it be?
SME owners have the right focus on their product/service but lack the knowledge or experience on finances, this then lacks the attention needed. You need to know your finances and manage it properly to at least survive, but your aim is to be successful, not to survive.
What accounting software do you like best?
For SME's, our locally developed Sage Pastel software.
Do you think the coming wave of automation in the next few years will steal some accounting jobs and why/why not?
Yes, unfortunately, data capturing will be some of the jobs being lost, however, the experience our accountants have will still count in advising our client.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
The outdoors - gardening and training our horses for endurance rides.
See how our other local South African accountants have answered the above questions.
