Adél Visser, Business Accountant in Practice
Business Accountant
Current Experience:
Business Accountant in Practice (SA) at Visser Accountants · Self-employed May 2019 - Present · (6 yrs 4 mos)
Past Experiences:
Accountant at Thompsons Motors Louis Trichardt Apr 2017 - Apr 2019 · (2 yrs 1 mo)
Partner at Premier Accountants Oct 2014 - Mar 2017 · (2 yrs 6 mos)
Tax Department Manager at Nel, Havinga & Corbett Jul 2013 - Feb 2014 · (8 mos)
Audit Manager at Venter, Viljoen & Malan Incorporated Aug 2006 - Apr 2012 · (5 yrs 9 mos)
Qualifications:
BCompt Auditing
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Adél Visser is not your typical accountant. With more than a decade in practice and the grit to rise to senior manager in an audit firm by 23, she’s built her career on turning “invisible” progress into tangible wins for SMEs. From guiding clients through the messy realities of compliance to mentoring subcontractors who are still finding their feet, Adél combines technical precision with real-world insight. She knows when to push theory aside and improvise, and she’s not afraid to turn away the wrong client to protect her time, energy, and sanity.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
06:30 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I spend the first hour of my day reading.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I initially pursued accounting because my aptitude test indicated it was the best fit for me. As my career progressed, I saw how much SMEs needed support with compliance and making informed business decisions, which deepened my interest in helping them.
Can you share some career highlights and defining moments as an accountant for SMEs?
Finishing my degree and completing my articles were definitely defining moments in my career, as they opened many doors for me in practice. Later, becoming a registered tax practitioner was another milestone I was proud of. Those small victories meant a lot, they were proof that progress was happening, even when it wasn’t always visible.
Another highlight was becoming a senior manager at an audit firm at the age of 23, where I managed clerks who have since gone on to become auditors. It’s rewarding to know I played a small part in their professional journeys.
How do you build strong relationships with your clients?
I prioritise meeting clients face-to-face and really listening to their concerns. It’s easy to focus only on the technical side, but clients often don’t fully understand our work, that’s why they come to us in the first place. My experience working for a small business also gave me valuable insight. Some principles may look good on paper, but in practice, they don’t always work, and that’s when you need to adapt and improvise.
What are some future goals for your firm?
One of my goals is to employ more people on a permanent basis and equip them with the tools to build their own futures, while also supporting me in achieving my business goals.
What’s next on your professional journey?
Next, I plan to specialize in taxation.
Share your strategies for maintaining balance between personal and professional life.
I maintain balance by turning my phone off after work hours. If something comes up that concerns me, I jot it down to address the next day.
What do you enjoy when you’re off the clock?
I enjoy spending my free time with family.
How do you contribute to the development of others in your field?
I work with a few subcontractors who are still learning, taking the time to explain concepts to them. It benefits both them and me, as understanding the work ensures accuracy and purpose, rather than just processing transactions without thought.
Are you involved in mentorship or local business initiatives?
No, I’m not currently involved in mentorship or local business initiatives.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to start their own accounting practice?
My advice would be to take the time to carefully plan your practice instead of jumping in blindly. Also, don’t be afraid to charge what you’re truly worth.
“If you try, you might. If you don’t, you won’t.”
Share your favorite leadership lesson as a firm owner.
One of my key leadership lessons is the importance of delegation. It allows you to focus on specialized tasks, empowers your team, and helps prevent burnout.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something not in my business bio is that I enjoy playing tennis.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower in my practice, it would be the ability to instantly know which clients to take on and which ones to decline.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during tax season or busy periods? Any tips for keeping energy levels up?
My strategy for staying productive during busy periods is to keep organized lists and use colour-coding to prioritise tasks.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
If I could relive one day from my career, it would be the day I started my first job as an audit clerk. At the time, I didn’t realise it, but it marked the start of significant changes and growth in my career.
For Adél, accounting is more than balancing books, it’s building futures. Her vision is to grow her team, specialise in taxation, and empower the next wave of professionals to charge what they’re worth. Whether she’s colour-coding her priorities during tax season or switching off her phone to protect her downtime, Adél is proof that strong boundaries and sharper skills are the real superpowers in practice.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to stand out, serve better, and scale your practice, just like Adél.
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