AN INTERVIEW WITH ACCOUNTANT JAN STANDER

See full profile: Limpopo Accountant - Jan Stander

 

Were you always planning to be an accountant and why?

It was always a toss-up between law and accounting. We however still had to have a third language in Gr12 to qualify for studying law. After trying my hand at German in Gr9 it was clear that I had to become an accountant.

 

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

I mostly go to my clients.

 

What is your preferred mode of communication with your clients?

Email, Phone, Face to Face, Skype, WhatsApp.

 

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

Yes

 

What do you love most about accounting?

The satisfaction of adding value. My position as accountant provide that helicopter view that is so necessary in separating the trees from the forest.

Every successful dealing I have on behalf of my clients with the banks, SARS, other credit providers, etcetera leaves me on top of the world.

 

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

I would recommend accounting to any person who possess the kills and attributes described in the next question.

 

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

• Membership and Good Standing with a recognised Professional Body;
• Integrity and a willingness to disagree with the client;
• Good analytical skills;
• As wide as possible field of management expertise and knowledge of all compliance requirements. (I have on so many occasions hear the client asking but why didn't my ACCOUNTANT tell / warn me?)
• A willingness to RUN the extra mile;

 

What is the biggest challenge facing accountants today?

The lack of integrity in today's world.

Non compliance to any requirement in the clients business will increase risk of eventual failure. You are responsible for the accurateness and trustworthiness of every document leaving your office. You have to convince your clients to stay on the high road (tax, labour, safety, BBBEE ratings, etcetera) whilst there seem to be little external motivation for it.

 

What aspects of accounting do you focus on most?

We are running a one stop shop for our clients. We have developed a menu of services including the pricing for each service that is send to each prospective client on request. The client is thus able to make a 100% informed choice:

• Secretarial services: (Registering the entity and keeping it registered through compliance)
• Statutory registrations: (UIF, SARS, VAT, COIDA etc.)
• Bookkeeping services;
• Salary administrative services;
• Compliance services (SARS, CIPC, COIDA, UIF etc. returns and reconciliations);
• Accounting services;
• Forensic auditing services;
• General Business Advisory services;
• Finding answers to problems.(We are constantly in contact with specialists like tax lawyers etcetera to obtain the correct assistance for our clients.);
• Our motto is if you need the assistance, we will give it to you.

 

Describe your average client:

Our average client is a happy client.

We assist all size clients from Micro, small, medium enterprises but still consult to the conglomerates as and when required.

 

How far away from your premises is your furthest client?

It all depends on the type of work we do for the client. We have tax clients situated as far as Europe and the USA which we have never met face to face.

We run payroll operations throughout the whole country.

Where we however supply a full accounting service packages do we try to limit ourselves to a radius of 300 kilometres.

 

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

• Failure to set up a clear distinction between personal and business, assets, expenses etcetera (The old hand in the till / stock problem);
• Lack of budgeting and cash flow planning;
• Failure to appoint the correct professionals to support / analyse and criticize your business decisions

 

What accounting software do you like best?

Pastel Partner; Sage One (Perfect for the smaller entrepreneur who wish to do some accounting work in-house.); I hear good stories about Xero accounting but have not used it in my practice yet.

 

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

Microsoft full line of products; Intercode payroll; In-house developed analytical and reporting programs

 

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

It will take away jobs yes. Apps like click-bank and bank manager has already started to erode the work of junior clerks. The question is how will we develop the next generation accountant if all the basics of accounting become a black box concept.

 

What is your opinion on Bitcoin?

Interesting question. I have not spent any time on reading up on it. I would only do it once a client wants to go that route.

I do have a personal opinion, but will keep it personal until I am more enlightened.

 

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Spending time with my wife and granddaughter. Watching rugby on TV. (I also cut myself)

 

What is the most interesting thing on your bucket list?

I actually do not have a bucket list. My dream is to stay healthy and in practice, like my old mentor (Uncle Harry Newton-Walker) until my 80th birthday.

 

What has your experience been on FindanAccountant?

I am using Find an Accountant for more than five years as my ONLY external advertising vehicle.

I am still in business and growing steadily.

See how our other local South African accountants have answered the above questions.