Chantal Misplon, Business Accountant in Practice
Business Accountant
Current Experience:
Business Accountant in Practice (SA) at DBSS (Pty) Ltd · Self-employed Jun 2019 - Present · (6 yrs 3 mos)
Past Experiences:
Financial Manager at Home Loan Guarantee Company Feb 2012 - May 2019 · (7 yrs 4 mos)
Financial and Management Accountant at Housing For HIV Apr 2007 - Jan 2012 · (4 yrs 10 mos)
Head office accountant at Caxton Community Newspapers Apr 2003 - Apr 2007 · (4 yrs 1 mo)
Senior accountant at KPMG South Africa May 1997 - Apr 2003 · (6 yrs)
Qualifications:
BCom Financial Management
Honours Business Management
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Chantal Misplon is the founder of Digital Bookkeeping and Support Services, with over five years of experience helping small businesses and non-profits stay compliant and financially healthy. She is passionate about turning cash flow challenges into stability and growth, combining accounting expertise with business coaching to build financial literacy among SME owners.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
09:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I usually start my day with a cup of coffee while checking my social media and email notifications, then I map out my plan for the workday.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I was drawn to accounting and supporting SMEs because many small business owners struggle to understand their numbers and manage cash flow effectively. I enjoy helping them with both financial and business strategies to prevent failure and support sustainable growth. By incorporating coaching into my work, I aim to help them achieve their goals and ultimately become financially literate.
Can you share some career highlights and defining moments as an accountant for SMEs?
One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been helping small businesses overcome cash flow challenges. I’ve worked with several companies to turn unstable cash flow into a steady stream and transform losses into consistent profits.
How do you build strong relationships with your clients?
I believe strong client relationships start with clear and consistent communication. Keeping clients informed helps them feel supported and confident in the process.
What are some future goals for your firm?
With my experience in working with non-profits, I’d like to help more of them make the most of their funding. I also aim to shift my focus from mainly technical services to offering more business advisory support.
What’s next on your professional journey?
My next steps are to earn my Independent Reviewer licence and complete a diploma in business coaching.
Share your strategies for maintaining balance between personal and professional life.
I make a clear distinction between work time and personal time. As a business owner, it’s easy to work around the clock, but that often leads to burnout. I let my clients know my working hours and display them on my business page, which helps set boundaries. I also make it a habit to finish work at a reasonable hour each day so I can fully enjoy my personal life.
What do you enjoy when you’re off the clock?
On Fridays, I enjoy kicking off the weekend with an ice-cold beer and good company. I also love reading and listening to a variety of books, both fiction and non-fiction. Creating art is a favourite outlet for self-expression, and I make time to socialise with friends and family, plus, I indulge in the occasional Netflix binge.
How do you contribute to the development of others in your field?
I mentor young bookkeepers, helping them develop the skills and confidence to either start their own businesses or excel in their current roles.
Are you involved in mentorship or local business initiatives?
Yes, I provide mentorship and coaching privately.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to start their own accounting practice?
My advice would be to start by saving enough money to get through the first year. Next, be clear about the type of clients you want to work with and the services you want to offer, as this will impact how much you enjoy the work. It’s also important to know your value so you can set fair prices that sustain your business. Finally, get comfortable with technology and use it to improve your practice.
“It is enough that I am of value to somebody today.”
Share your favorite leadership lesson as a firm owner.
People often say leaders need to have charm, but I believe true leadership comes from compassion and understanding.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something you won’t find in my business bio is that I used to be a fusion dancer and have performed on stages in several cities across South Africa.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower to help with my practice, it would be a real magic wand.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during tax season or busy periods? Any tips for keeping energy levels up?
My top strategy for staying productive during tax season is being prepared and planning ahead. I start reaching out to clients months before the deadline to gather all necessary documents early. Using templates helps save time by avoiding repetitive work. I also make sure to take short breaks throughout the day, and sometimes at night, to clear my mind and stay focused. Staying calm and concentrating on the task at hand really helps too.
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 was promoted to financial manager. It was a huge step, and I didn’t feel fully ready at the time. But a year later, at our year-end function, the CEO publicly praised my work and said I handled the role exceptionally well. I had felt stressed and unsure back then, so hearing that recognition made me feel truly proud and on top of the world.
Chantal’s journey shows that in this profession, technical skills will open the door, but communication, compassion, and courage will keep it open. If you’re ready to run a practice that’s profitable and purposeful, CIBA will give you the tools, the title, and the confidence to do it.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to stand out, serve better, and scale your practice.
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