See full profile: Queensburgh Accountant - SARIKA RAMSEWAK
Were you always planning to be an accountant and why?
Yes, accounting has been my passion ever since I started with the subject in grade 10. It is all I have ever wanted to do and it was the best career choice I could have made. I love problem solving, forecasting, reporting. I love what I do and I do what I love. I believe this is an amazing career realisation.
When meeting with clients, do they mostly come to your premises or do you mostly go to theirs?
I mostly go to my clients.
What is your preferred mode of communication with your clients?
Email, Phone, Face to Face, WhatsApp, MS Teams and Zoom calls.
Have you ever done an online video call with a client?
Yes
What do you love most about accounting?
I love all things accounting. Mostly the EUREKA! moments. I also love doing forecasts and reporting.
Would you recommend accounting as a career for school-leavers, and why?
Absolutely. Accounting is not only an excellent career choice, it also helps one to manage their own life and lifestyle. It gets you thinking on more than superficial level where money and spending are involved. Finance is the hub, the heartbeat, of any organisation. It is a wonderful accomplishment to be that heartbeat. It also helps to firm up one's ethics and integrity.
What qualities should South African business people be looking for in their accountant?
Unquestionable ethics and integrity, as well as common sense and a passion for their profession. An accountant should be highly detail-orientated, with the capacity to be analytical and a problem solver.
What is the biggest challenge facing accountants today?
The ever-changing technology offerings and advancements . The changing compliance has always been a challenge, especially with regulatory bodies. An accountant must constantly upskill to stay relevant.
What aspects of accounting do you focus on most?
Management and donor financial reporting, budget forecasts and variance analysis, audit preparations and banking. I also focus on setup of financial teams and successful integrations of management and finance teams, policy and structure.
Describe your average client:
Nonprofit organisations and small businesses.
How far away from your premises is your furthest client?
65km
From your accounting experience, if you could cite one of the biggest reasons SMEs in SA fail, what would it be?
The lack of proper management and financial management skills. However, this is not isolated to SME's. I have seen this trend in the nonprofit sector as well. Poor financial management and/or financial mismanagement will sink an organisation.
What accounting software do you like best?
Sage Accounting.
What other software, online services or apps do you use?
I have migrated all my clients onto Sage Accounting.
Do you think the coming wave of automation in the next few years will steal some accounting jobs and why/why not?
Yes. Technology is heading into a space where the human factor is slowly being phased out. Lets be honest, if one could do their accounting practices on an automated system which will ensure 100% accuracy and efficiency at a lower cost, which business will not be waiting in line to grab this?
What is your opinion on Bitcoin?
If one is ready to accept the losses just as much as the gains then Bitcoin is for them. It is very much dependent on one's risk appetite.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Spare time is sometimes a luxury. When I do have spare time I prefer spending it with my family or catching up with a series. I love motorsport, particularly street (legal) racing hence I belong to a number of car clubs as well.
What is the most interesting thing on your bucket list?
To see the Aurora Australis and Aurora Borealis.
What has your experience been on FindanAccountant?
So far so good. I am finding it a challenge to edit my service information. I will request assistance with that if I cannot find the button (technology!)
See how our other local South African accountants have answered the above questions.
