See full profile: Polokwane Chartered Accountant - Tshepo Ramalepe
Were you always planning to be an accountant and why?
As a child growing up I've always had a keen interest in business and commerce in general. However, the interest in accounting came while I was doing grade 10, when a qualified CA explained what it meant to be a professional accountant, the requirements for qualifying and the different career paths available during a school event. From that day on, every decision I took was towards qualifying as a Professional Accountant
When meeting with clients do they mostly come to your own premises or do you mostly go theirs?
I mostly go to my clients, Most of the interactions with my clients are virtual.
What is your preferred mode of communication with your clients?
Email, Phone, Face to Face, Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom
Have you ever done an online video call with a client?
Yes
What do you love most about accounting?
Accounting affords me the opportunity to help grow businesses and add value in the process which is what my objective is.
Would you recommend accounting as a career for school-leavers, and why?
Not really, accounting is not for everyone. Granted there's a lot of benefits in accounting, however, I would encourage someone to do whatever it is they’re passionate about because in the end the difference between success and failure boils down to motivation.
What qualities should South African business people be looking for in their accountant?
Integrity, objectivity, professional behaviour and due care, competence, confidentiality and lastly someone who keeps up with new developments/finding new ways to better service their clients
What is the biggest challenge facing accountants today?
Ethics! A lot of accountants today do not mind breaking the law as long as there's a financial reward in it for them. This results in clients' businesses failing and also diminishes the reputation of our profession
What aspects of accounting do you focus on most?
Advisory, taxation and audit
Describe your average client:
Small - medium-sized businesses
How far away from your premises is your furthest client?
11 967 km - Auckland (New Zealand)
From your accounting experience, if you could cite one of the biggest reasons SME's in SA fail, what would it be?
Lack of appropriate and sufficient knowledge when it comes to available resources and support structures for SME's
What accounting software do you like best?
Not sure which one I prefer between Sage Pastel and Xero
What other software, online services or apps do you use?
Caseware, Microsoft office suite, SARS mobi app
Do you think the coming wave of automation in the next few years will steal some accounting jobs and why/why not?
No, automation will streamline our profession in the sense that more focus will be placed on performing functions that add value that cannot be automated e.g. instead of spending time on calculations, more time will be spent on analysis and risk management. Above all accountants should be asking whether they have reinvented themselves enough to remain relevant in the 4th IR
What is your opinion on Bitcoin?
From an investment point of view Bitcoin performed way better when compared to gold and platinum in the last 12 months, so at the moment cryptocurrency appears to be doing well. However, from an environmental view the activity of mining bitcoin results in excessive Co2 emissions (over 130 TWh per year) which in the long run might be its downfall.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Running, travelling and spending time with family/friends
What is the most interesting thing on your bucket list?
My bucket list is made wholly of exploring six continents (Antarctica excluded), so far I've been to just 3 with 3 to go.
See how our other local South African accountants have answered the above questions.
