See full profile: Midrand Accountant and Tax Practitioner - Kwanele Nyathi
Were you always planning to be an accountant and why?
Accounting is a subject I excelled in during my school days and I then went on to become a Chartered Accountant.
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, I mostly go to my clients
What is your preferred mode of communication with your clients?
Have you ever done an online video call with a client?
Yes
What do you love most about accounting?
I think Accounting is a broad dynamic field with varying specialisations which allow for Accountants to find their right fit. As technology changes the Accounting profession has survived as focus has moved from data capturing to deeper analysis and regulatory compliance such as tax.
Would you recommend accounting as a career for school-leavers, and why?
Yes I would recommend it as it is a dynamic profession with many avenues fro one to take depending on skills and interests, e.g Tax, Business Analysis, Management Reporting, Costing etc.?
What qualities should South African business people be looking for in their accountant?
I think the qualities are dependent on the specialisation of the route taken e.g a business requiring a Finance Business Partner requires an Accountant with strong analytical skills.
The underlying requirement should always however, be a formal qualification which underpins key accounting principles.
What is the biggest challenge facing accountants today?
I think the qualities are dependent on the specialisation of the route taken e.g a business requiring a Finance Business Partner requires an Accountant with strong analytical skills.
The underlying requirement should always however, be a formal qualification which underpins key accounting principles.
What aspects of accounting do you focus on most?
As a Chartered Accountant I prepare financials and prepare tax returns, however, an aspect i love is that of being able to add value to my clients by providing practical business advise.
Describe your average client:
The bulk of my clients are small to medium sized enterprises and most of the time require business as well as financial advise.
How far away from your premises is your furthest client?
80kms
What accounting software do you like best?
I have worked with various accounting packages, however, at the moment the one that works well for me is Pastel.
What other software, online services or apps do you use?
SAGE Payroll
Do you think the coming wave of automation in the next few years will steal some accounting jobs and why/why not?
No. I think the profession has been revolving slowly and Accountants have movement away from being Data Capturers to being more analytical. The future hold more opportunities for Financial Manager/Business advisors as opposed to Bookkeepers.
What is your opinion on Bitcoin?
My personal opinion is that it is form of a pyramid scheme which at some point would collapse.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Watching Formula 1, MotoGP, Running, Spending Time with family
See how our other local South African accountants have answered the above questions.
