See full profile: Pinetown Accountant - Jade Cranston
Were you always planning to be an accountant and why?
No. I always wanted to be a Teacher, but I was good with numbers so I was guided into the Accounting world and gratefully so.
I now have the best of both worlds because I now get to teach Trainee Accountants, while practicing as a Professional Accountant(SA).
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
What is your preferred mode of communication with your clients?
Have you ever done an online video call with a client?
No
What do you love most about accounting?
I love the taxation side of things; tax planning and savings clients money in tax legally.
Would you recommend accounting as a career for school-leavers, and why?
Yes. Accounting is so much more than just debits and credits. It is the foundation to all business and our country needs as much private sector businesses as possible to keep the country afloat.
What qualities should South African business people be looking for in their accountant?
Professionalism and integrity.
What is the biggest challenge facing accountants today?
Clients not understanding the value of Accounting services, coupled with the cash flow effects of problems with our economy.
What aspects of accounting do you focus on most?
Annual Financial Statements and Taxation.
Describe your average client:
My average/ ideal clients is a small to medium sized business operating in the highway area (KZN), that need the full package from the monthly booking, right through to the accounting/annual financial statements and finally the taxation.
How far away from your premises is your furthest client?
New Zealand
From your accounting experience, if you could cite one of the biggest reasons SME's in SA fail, what would it be?
1) Cash flow
2) Lack of knowledge of the legal consequences that come with running a business
What accounting software do you like best?
Pastel Partner
What other software, online services or apps do you use?
Sage Payroll, Sage One Accounting, Pastel express, excel, etc.
Do you think the coming wave of automation in the next few years will steal some accounting jobs and why/why not?
Yes and no. Yes in that the easier SARS and these cloud based accounting packages make things for non-accountants to use, the more business is lost by Accountants.
No, because Accountants are still needed to sign off the Annual Financial Statements and Accountants resourceful and will find other ways to make a living within the accounting industry.
What is your opinion on Bitcoin?
I have no experience with Bitcoin as yet, so no comment.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Puzzles, Watching TV series, Scrapbooking, Being outdoors
What is the most interesting thing on your bucket list?
I would love to travel to America.
What has your experience been on FindanAccountant?
So far so good.
See how our other local South African accountants have answered the above questions.
