Nicolaas Pretorius, Chartered Accountant
Chartered Accountant
Current Experience:
Chartered Accountant (Self-employed)
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Meet Nicolaas Pretorius.
A veteran who’s built, lost, and rebuilt, more than once. From failed English exams to founding a firm that survived apartheid, policy failure, and predatory regulators.
This is not your average accountant profile. This is the kind of story frustrated accountants forward to their WhatsApp groups.
Real. Raw. Relevant.
Read what actually keeps a Business Accountant in Practice awake at night — and what it takes to stay in the game.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
05:30 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I usually start my morning by getting ready and making black coffee for my wife and myself. I then plan out the day, checking whether there’s anything that needs attention with the cattle, making a list of garden tasks, and deciding if I need to pop into the office. I’ll take my wife into town since we live about 18 km out, stop for a coffee at Wimpy and share a waffle with cream, then head to the butchery to pick up meat for a braai, either later on Saturday or after church on Sunday.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
My interest in accounting and finance was sparked back in the 1960s by my accounting teacher, Uncle Bill Boshoff.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
originally wanted to become a science teacher and enrolled for a BSc at Potchefstroom University in 1964. Although I failed English HG, I achieved top marks in science, accounting, and mathematics. I was allowed to attend classes provisionally, but after failing English again, I was dismissed from the university. My father fetched me from my last physics class and, with tears in his eyes, told me the news and that he could no longer afford to keep both my brother and me at university.
He arranged for me to start working in the internal audit department at Iscor in Vanderbijlpark. After a year, I moved to Volkskas Bank, where I later completed nine months of military service while still receiving my full salary. When Potchefstroom University opened a satellite campus in Vanderbijlpark, I rewrote English HG for the third time and passed. In 1967, I began evening classes, cycling from work to lectures three nights a week, and eventually completed my BCom, learning a lifelong lesson: never give up on a subject.
After qualifying, I joined friends in purchasing the largest accounting practice in the Vaal Triangle at the time. I later started my own firm, NL Pretorius & Co. Soon after, I was invited to lead a major agricultural finance project covering 35,000 hectares, managing large-scale livestock, citrus operations, and a workforce of over 3,000 people, all without computers. I later led another large agricultural project in a neighbouring country.
Along the way, I sold my practice, taught Accounting, Economics, and Business Economics at high schools, and completed my BCom (Hons) and MCom while working and teaching. After many years in education, I returned to private practice and continue working today under NL Pretorius & Co and Naboom Accountants and Tax Practitioners.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I am the managing director, and I personally handle all financial matters within the company.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by being hands-on in the day-to-day financial management of the business during normal working hours.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was the day I was mistakenly declared deceased by the Receiver of Revenue. I challenged the decision directly and fought to have it corrected.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
You need to know your clients well. Some can be given time to settle their accounts, while others need to operate on a cash basis.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I make sure to get enough rest, sleep properly at night, and avoid relying on anything artificial to keep myself going.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
I enjoy writing stories.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
Yes, I mentor and support my team. One of my partners, who has been with the firm since 1994, is now a director and part of management. I’ve also trained another team member in handling estate planning, testaments, and trusts.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Focus fully on your work during office hours and keep personal matters separate. Likewise, when you leave for the day, make sure to leave work at the office.
“Love your wife and love your work.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
Always support your clients and treat everyone fairly, giving each person their due attention and respect.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio? A hobby, interest, or fun fact?
I have a passion for farming and enjoy spending time caring for my cattle.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be? Predicting financial trends? Master multitasking?
So far, AI has been my best helper. I use it to handle the tasks I don’t enjoy, which frees me up to focus on what really matters.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I like to take a short nap between one and two to recharge and stay productive.
Nicolaas’ story isn’t just about resilience, it’s a masterclass in staying relevant, grounded, and human in a system stacked against small firms.
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