James Stuart Morris, Accountant
Accountant
Current Experience:
Accountant at Ledgr Accounting · Full-time Aug 2025 - Present · (1 mo)
Past Experience:
Head of Finance at Impi Fuels · Full-time Jan 2025 - Aug 2025 · (8 mos)
Trainee Accountant at Eton Nominees (Pty) Ltd · Full-time Jan 2022 - Dec 2024 · (3 yrs)
Bookkeeper | Junior at IQ Accounting · Contract Jun 2021 - Oct 2021 · (5 mos)
Auditing/Vacation Clerk at Tuffias Sandberg · Contract Nov 2019 - Nov 2019 · (1 mo)
Qualifications:
Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences
Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Financial Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
“I struggled with accounting in Matric. Now I lead finance at a fuel company.”
That’s not a line from a TED Talk, it’s James Stuart Morris’s real-life story.
James didn’t just bounce back, he rebuilt entire accounting systems, cleared years of backlog, and earned his Professional Accountant (SA) designation against the odds. From Dungeons & Dragons to SARS reconciliations, he balances nerdy charm with hard-hitting strategy.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
07:00 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 morning getting ready for work.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
Accounting appeals to me because it is rules-based and provides structure, which reflects my personality. Even though I struggled with the subject in Matric, it sparked my interest, and after improving my marks over the years, I’ve grown to really enjoy it.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Some key milestones in my career include recreating an entire accounting system from scratch over five years, serving as the main liaison with SARS at my previous employer, clearing significant work backlogs, and most recently, achieving the designation of Professional Accountant of South Africa.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
Head of Finance
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
As the head of the finance department, I not only maintain the accounting system but also optimise it and improve the reporting process. Additionally, I’m responsible for implementing higher-quality SOPs to support the business as it continues to expand.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
Although I’ve just started my current role, a major challenge from my previous job was recreating an entire accounting system and processing five years’ worth of work. Despite delays from the client and other institutions, I managed to update the records before my departure. It required extensive research and persistence to complete.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I stay informed through news and blog articles for insights into financial strategies, review all work carefully, and engage in extensive consultation with colleagues to ensure effective financial operations.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I try not to get too stressed during busy periods. I believe that maintaining balance in personal life, like spending time with family, ultimately improves work performance. That said, I always focus on giving my best at work while keeping perspective
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy playing tennis, exercising, and participating in Dungeons and Dragons.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Master the fundamentals of accounting, getting the basics right sets the foundation for everything else. AI can be a helpful tool, but you still need to know how to interpret the information correctly. Stay up to date with finance and business news, and don’t hesitate to consult with others when needed.
“Curiosity is not a sin. Knowledge is power.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your caree
I’ve learned that stress is largely about how you respond to life’s challenges. By managing your reactions effectively, you can navigate situations more calmly and enjoy life more fully.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I’m a huge nerd, I enjoy playing Dungeons and Dragons and have a passion for collecting dice sets, like a true dice enthusiast.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
I’d love the ability to instantly understand practical problems. Often, you don’t need complex knowledge, just a clear understanding of the issue at hand.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
When I’m stuck on a task, I switch to something else for a while to refresh my mind and stay productive.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
The day I received my designation stands out. After months of hard work, it was incredibly rewarding to see it all pay off.
James proves what we’ve always known: it’s not the degree, it’s the grit. If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in the finance world, read that again.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to go from overlooked to in-demand.
Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
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