See accountant's full profile: Witfield, Benoni Accountant - Lana Benn
Were you always planning to be an accountant and why?
Accounting was the one subject I passed with ease in school, so for me, it was a no-brainer.
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?
Phone
Have you ever done an online video call with a client?
Yes
What do you love most about accounting?
Resolving a company's compliance issues with SARS
Would you recommend accounting as a career for school-leavers, and why?
Absolutely
What qualities should South African business people be looking for in their accountant?
Competence
What is the biggest challenge facing accountants today?
Companies are not loyal to their accountants. That should change.
What aspects of accounting do you focus on most?
SARS Compliance
Describe your average client:
Mostly second-hand car dealers
How far away from your premises is your furthest client?
30km
From your accounting experience, if you could cite one of the biggest reasons SMEs in SA fail, what would it be?
I believe it is a business owner's responsibility to at least have basic bookkeeping knowledge. I find most companies that fail are the ones who don't have basic bookkeeping knowledge.
What accounting software do you like best?
Pastel
What other software, online services or apps do you use?
QuickBooks, Sage One, Pastel Evolution
Do you think the coming wave of automation in the next few years will steal some accounting jobs and why/why not?
No, I don't. I do believe that you can't rely on automated systems only.
What is your opinion on Bitcoin?
I don't know much about it.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Relax
What is the most interesting thing on your bucket list?
I would like to go to New York.
See how our other local South African accountants have answered the above questions.
