Paul Cruywagen, Director/ Professional Accountant
Professional Accountant
Current Experience:
Director / Professional Accountant SA at CRUX Konsult · Self-employed Feb 2019 - Present · (6 yrs 7 mos)
Member Board of Directors at CT.MU Audit & Accounting · Self-employed Mar 2025 - Present · (6 mos)
Leadership Team at Shofar Christian Church Piketberg · Part-time Feb 2025 - Present · (7 mos)
Past Experiences:
Treasurer / Financial Manager at Porterville Golf Club Oct 2006 - Nov 2021 · (15 yrs 2 mos)
Professional Accountant at Louw & Cronje Incorporated Feb 2001 - Jan 2019 · (18 yrs)
Qualifications:
BCom Accounting, Auditing, Tax
ND: Financial Information Systems
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Meet Paul Cruywagen: early riser, gym disciple, and the founder of CRUX Konsult. He didn’t start his career with dreams of tax returns and trial balances, but a love of systems, stewardship, and solving real business problems brought him here.
This is the story of a leader who didn’t just find his way in practice, he created a new way of showing up in the profession.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
05:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I start my day by reading the Bible and praying, then I head to the gym.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I’ve always been curious about business and the dynamics that drive it. I enjoy systems and understanding how and why things work the way they do. I’m also passionate about stewardship, which is what motivates me to support SME owners. As an accountant, I get to help my clients steward their businesses effectively.
Can you share some career highlights and defining moments as an accountant for SMEs?
One of my biggest career highlights was starting my own practice in 2019. Growing up, I always dreamed of running my own business, though I never specifically pictured it being an accounting firm. Seeing that dream come to life has been a defining moment for me.
How do you build strong relationships with your clients?
For me, everything starts with trust. Once that’s established, the relationship can really grow. I make it a point to be honest and transparent in every interaction with my clients—that’s my golden rule. I also try to put myself in their shoes when looking at situations, because at the end of the day, many of us face the same challenges in business.
What are some future goals for your firm?
The goals for my firm are closely tied to the growth of the team. I want each person to develop both personally and professionally, and I believe that if the environment supports this, growth in clients and numbers will naturally follow. I also don’t want to limit our future by putting goals “in a box”, there’s so much potential, and I want to keep imagining and dreaming about what we can achieve.
What’s next on your professional journey?
Right now, I’m exploring new business opportunities to grow my firm and add more dimensions to it. That means branching into new areas and expanding the range of services we offer. There’s still plenty to do and never quite enough time, but that’s the beauty of it—making the most of each day.
Share your strategies for maintaining balance between personal and professional life.
For me, it all comes down to discipline. Managing time with intention is the only way to keep a healthy balance. I struggled with this earlier in my career, but I’ve learned that it’s important to prioritize the people in your personal life and value those relationships above financial or business success. Once you set a clear hierarchy of priorities, the key is to stay committed and follow through.
What do you enjoy when you’re off the clock?
I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter, playing golf, cycling, and reading. I also have a deep love for the ocean, being close to nature and water is where I feel most at peace.
How do you contribute to the development of others in your field?
I focus on developing the employees in our firm, as it’s been part of my purpose since the very beginning. I’m always looking for ways the team can grow, both individually and together. I believe we should constantly seek to add value to people and situations, and supporting the growth of those around me is something I find very fulfilling.
Are you involved in mentorship or local business initiatives?
I mentor both my staff and trainees, and I make an effort to stay engaged with clients and the local community. I’ve also been looking into Work4aliving, which is a great initiative that I’d like to be more involved in.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to start their own accounting practice?
Always stay positive and focus on finding solutions in every situation. Starting your own accounting practice is challenging, so it’s essential to be in the right mindset to navigate obstacles and stay motivated.
“Life doesn’t owe you anything, yet if offers you everything!”
Share your favorite leadership lesson as a firm owner.
One key leadership lesson I’ve learned as a firm owner is that it can be lonely at the top. That’s why it’s important to have a strong support system through your faith and family. Leadership is about people, so strive to be someone worth following. Ensure your mission, vision, and goals are genuine and ethical, they should inspire and guide others in a positive way.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something that might surprise people is that I never imagined myself in accounting, let alone running my own firm. I didn’t see myself as the “typical accountant,” yet my career path led me here, and I genuinely love what I do and the opportunities it brings every day.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
It would be amazing to be able to clone myself, or even certain people, so I could manage more at once!
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during tax season or busy periods? Any tips for keeping energy levels up?
My go-to strategy is making sure I get enough exercise and sleep. Staying active and well-rested keeps my energy up, and healthy eating is key, your body runs best on good fuel. It also helps if you genuinely enjoy and feel motivated by the work you’re doing.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
I’d choose to relive the first day I started my very first accounting job, but this time, I’d like to give myself some advice and lessons along the way. It would also be great to reflect and see just how far I’ve come since that day.
Paul’s story is raw, real, and ridiculously relevant to any CBAP trying to stay sane while scaling a practice.
He’s proof that discipline can become a superpower, that mentorship still matters, and that you don’t need to fit the mould to build a firm worth following. Whether it's managing burnout, dreaming bigger, or mentoring the next generation, Paul’s profile reads like a blueprint for resilience.
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Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
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