See full profile: Alice Accountant - Nathan Banda
Were you always planning to be an accountant and why?
Yes, initially what motivated me was the greater probability of getting employed. My understanding at that time was that no business would operate without looking for the services of an accountant, hence was assured of getting employment
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, In some cases, I have served clients remotely
What is your preferred mode of communication with your clients?
Email, Phone, WhatsApp
Have you ever done an online video call with a client?
Yes
What do you love most about accounting?
Accounting in a call to service. There're lots of people who don't know what to do with compliance and reporting issues. I love it when I come in to aid and relieve people from their unbearable anxiety. So giving a peaceful life to someone is of great honor to me.
Would you recommend accounting as a career for school-leavers, and why?
Yes, accounting is broad and fits almost everywhere. There are greater career prospects in accounting and no boundaries to what one can become out of accounting. The career is much rewarding, to you as an employee or as an entrepreneur.
What qualities should South African business people be looking for in their accountant?
There are varied behaviours that business people should be looking for in their accountant. Just to mention a few, honesty, reliability, and communication. Meaning that they are people who can be trusted and relied upon. Accountants are trained people who carry great understanding of businesses and are able to break complex issues in order to communicate effectively.
What is the biggest challenge facing accountants today?
I think in the face of the pandemic, it has been their inability to do business as unusual. Times have changed, and it has been hard for many accountants to adjust with speed to meet clients needs fully as was the case before the pandemic.
What aspects of accounting do you focus on most?
I do financial reporting, forecasting and management accounting.
Describe your average client:
Our ideal client is any SME, starting from those that have no formal strategy for their business and capacity to do financial reports, tax returns as well as forecasting. We love to work with those who have medium to long-term plans and need holistic approach to doing business
How far away from your premises is your furthest client?
As far as 900 kilometres
From your accounting experience, if you could cite one of the biggest reasons SME's in SA fail, what would it be?
Running business in disintegration; running business passively.
What accounting software do you like best?
Sage line 50
What other software, online services or apps do you use?
Currently none
Do you think the coming wave of automation in the next few years will steal some accounting jobs and why/why not?
I think to some extent yes, but not in full. In actual sense, it will only facilitate and excel the work of an accountant to be more exciting.
What is your opinion on Bitcoin?
N/A
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I like reading books on various topics
What is the most interesting thing on your bucket list?
The creation and management of my own practice and see to it that it operates in at least two countries in SADC region
See how our other local South African accountants have answered the above questions.
