Were you always planning to be an accountant and why?
I have yes. Being an accountant improves your chances of being a successful entrepreneur. This is because you have a broad range of knowledge, qualities and skills which are required in an ever changing business environment. As a CA you also have a skill to research and come up with suitable and customized solutions in order to add value to a business through for example growing your business despite the changes in the business environment and consequently utilize sound cash flows.
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 challenges you encounter every day. For example, every client is unique and operates in their own unique business environment. That I love, because it makes you think "outside of the box" in order to come up with customized business solutions for each client. And at the end of the day - it is fantastic to see my client happy with the results.
Would you recommend accounting as a career for school-leavers, and why?
I would definitely. With the fourth Industrial Revolution fast on its way - I think that accounting jobs in the future will drastically change. However, the qualities and skills which CAs have I think a Computer will never be able to replace. I means, clients want to see their accountants face to face. They want to reason with them and want insightful answers relating to business decisions and outcomes. That I think a Computer will never replace. Accounting is a career which is very face-to-face with your clients and it makes you think over a broad field of accountancy and business disciplines. Accountancy also has unlimited opportunities.
What qualities should South African business people be looking for in their accountant?
Honesty; Timeliness; Accuracy; Attention to detail; Good oral and written communication skills; Good presentation skills; IT literate; Knowledge in a broad field of accountancy and business disciplines; and Very important: critical thinkers.
What is the biggest challenge facing accountants today?
The the development and impact of the fourth industrial revolution on the accountancy field and the associated "white collar jobs".
What aspects of accounting do you focus on most?
Financial Reporting, Costing, Film production accounting and costing, Tax, Auditing and assurance, agreed-upon procedure required by clients, Strategy and risk management, Governance, bookkeeping in terms of IFRS for SMEs.
Describe your average client:
High turnover clients, with complex transactions. For these transaction, you have to do a lot of research to determine what the impact of such a transaction will have on the taxes, cash flow, disclosure etc.
How far away from your premises is your furthest client?
+/- 89km
From your accounting experience, if you could cite one of the biggest reasons SME's in SA fail, what would it be?
Bad cash flow management and incorrect pricing of their products and/or services.
What accounting software do you like best?
Pastel. My best from Pastel is Pastel Evolution.
What other software, online services or apps do you use?
Quickbooks. Excel, Word, Draftworx.
Do you think the coming wave of automation in the next few years will steal some accounting jobs and why/why not?
I definitely think it will if not addressed appropriately. Member bodies like SAICA is already investigating what the impact of the fourth industrial revolution will have on the knowledge, qualities and skills which are required from the market in entry level CAs. The CA professional body in Canada is also busy with a lot of research on this.
What is your opinion on Bitcoin?
I think it is great. Online is the way to go.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I think it is great. Online is the way to go.
What is the most interesting thing on your bucket list?
I want to go on a National Geographic Expedition into Antarctica.
What has your experience been on FindanAccountant?
Just great.
