Janine Pretorius, Accountant
Accountant
Current Experience:Accountant at Bentley Crescent Group of Accountants · Self-employed Apr 2018 - Present · (7 yrs 4 mos)
PAST EXPERIENCES:Financial Manager at PURA Beverage Co · Full-time Feb 2017 - Mar 2018 · (1 yr 2 mos)
SAICA Article Trainee at Moore Global · Contract Jan 2013 - Jan 2017 · (4 yrs 1 mo)
Qualifications:Bachelor of Accounting Science in financial Accounting
Country of Residence:South Africa
LinkedIn Profile: Meet Janine Boyd, a people-first accountant, digital pioneer, and Irish dancer. She’s rewriting what it means to lead a modern accounting firm in South Africa.
From bold client decisions to training her team from scratch, Janine is building something powerful and personal.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
9:00 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 going through emails.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
There’s a common misconception that accountants just sit behind a computer all day, but what drew me in was the people side of the work. I’ve had the chance to meet so many fascinating business owners with incredible stories, that’s what really keeps me interested.
Can you share some career highlights and defining moments as an accountant for SMEs?
Some standout moments in my career include signing off my articles, making my first hire, and the tough but necessary decision to part ways with my first difficult client.
How do you build strong relationships with your clients?
By genuinely caring about my clients, their teams, and their businesses, while making sure we’re all on the same page about scope and boundaries.
What are some future goals for your firm?
Our goal is to become South Africa’s first fully digital accounting firm run entirely by women.
What’s next on your professional journey?
I’m working towards building a network-based firm as the next step in my journey.
Share your strategies for maintaining balance between personal and professional life.
If something isn’t finished by the end of the day, it can wait until tomorrow, unless it’s SARS, of course.
What do you enjoy when you’re off the clock?
I spend my free time as a competitive Irish dancer, it’s something I’m really passionate about.
How do you contribute to the development of others in your field?
Everyone on our team has been trained from the ground up, it’s something we’ve committed to from the start.
Are you involved in mentorship or local business initiatives?
Not at the moment, but I’m actively looking for the right opportunity to get involved.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to start their own accounting practice?
Building a client base takes time, there’s no shortcut for that. Use your early days to focus on setting up solid processes. It’s not meant to be easy; if it were, everyone would be doing it.
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
― Maya Angelou"
Share your favorite leadership lesson as a firm owner.
Always make sure every team member knows they’re valued and that their contribution truly matters
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I’m passionate about Irish dancing.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could choose a superpower, it would be unlimited time, perfect for managing clients and staying ahead of everything.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during tax season or busy periods? Any tips for keeping energy levels up?
I stay productive by working steadily all year round and spreading out the workload to avoid burnout during busy periods.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
Every content day has been memorable and special in its own way!
Janine’s journey proves that you don’t have to choose between compliance and connection, you can lead with both. Want to build a standout practice that reflects who you really are?
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to grow with purpose, power, and pride.
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