“From audit rooms to Accountex London, and a fly rod never far behind.”

Stephen Smith isn’t just building a client base; he’s building global credibility. As a Senior Manager at MPVR Cloud Accountants, he’s helping South African accounting firms think bigger, lead better, and grow beyond borders.

“I don’t celebrate my wins; I celebrate the business’s success.”

That’s how Karabo Kith Mahlaela operates. Whether he’s managing diverse property portfolios or helping commission a smelter plant from scratch, he shows up with one goal: make the business stronger. He doesn’t just crunch numbers. He builds momentum. Strategic, humble, and fiercely competitive, on the court and in the boardroom.

“I’ve seen former trainees now leading their own teams.” For Pieter van Staden, leadership isn’t about control, it’s about legacy.

As a Senior Manager, he’s built more than just financial systems. He’s built people. From mentoring junior staff to rolling out firm-wide innovations, Pieter proves that the best accountants don’t just crunch numbers, they create ripple effects.

"Finance isn’t just numbers, it’s a story of resilience, strategy, and leadership."

From winning the Emerging Catalyst Award to leading finance at Zig Capital, Sanele Cebekhulu shows how discipline, faith, and vision can turn financial chaos into clarity. His journey proves that true leadership in accounting is about creating leaders, not followers.

"I started as the least qualified. I became the youngest in the financial reporting team. While studying."

Keamogetswe Tema’s journey from intern to Group Accountant proves that hustle, heart, and high standards can rewrite your career story, no shortcuts, no excuses. Here's how she did it.

Angelique Pienaar’s journey is anything but ordinary, from juggling studies and single motherhood to leading finance projects in a tech-driven firm. Her story is raw, real, and proof that perseverance pays off. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed in your career, this is the inspiration you didn’t know you needed.

Mary-Anne Claire Klem doesn’t just balance books, she builds financial muscle into every corner of her company. From crafting forecasts with surgical precision to mentoring her team and raising kids on puzzle pieces and spreadsheets, her story is a masterclass in owning your value and leading with heart.

"I became the first professional accountant in my family. That wasn’t just a career move. It was a message: if I can do it, so can you."

Mlondi Clive Dube didn’t just break barriers, he built a path for others. In this spotlight, he shares how mentorship, checklists, and self-help books fuel his mission to serve clients and uplift his community.

Tshegofatso Masipa didn’t wait for permission to lead. In just two years, this CA(SA) has gone from trainee to a trusted financial strategist at Credit Guarentee, taking on senior responsibilities, mentoring the next generation, and proving that young accountants can shape strategy, not just balance the books.

From walking into an office with her CV and landing a job on the spot, to becoming Financial Director, Nthabiseng Sekanka’s journey proves that passion, persistence, and continuous learning can change everything.

Mondli’s journey from number lover to trusted advisor is proof that hard work, hustle, and the right tools can fast-track your accounting career. From client compliance to mentoring future pros, he’s doing it all, on his terms.

James Stuart Morris isn’t your typical finance leader. As an Accountant, he’s rebuilt entire accounting systems, led SARS engagements, and earned his Professional Accountant (SA) designation through grit and growth. His story is one of quiet resilience, relentless improvement, and redefining what success in finance really looks like.

Yolanda Putter’s story isn’t about titles, it’s about tenacity. After enduring a toxic work culture that nearly broke her, she found strength in leadership, therapy, and the quiet power of data. Now a finance lead in a global firm, she proves that kindness and precision aren’t soft skills, they’re survival tools.

Peter Serite helped over 500 SMEs survive lockdowns, now he’s scaling Azania into a global firm and launching an AI-powered tool to shake up the accounting space. From township roots to tech innovation, his story is proof that real impact doesn’t come from playing it safe.

Basimane Likhi isn’t your average finance assistant. Between reconciling multi-country books and mastering Xero, he’s quietly becoming a powerhouse in his field. What started with ACCA articles has grown into strategic impact, tackling inventory chaos, mentoring through collaboration, and making time for hiking and coding.

Paul Cruywagen started CRUX Konsult not for profit, but for purpose. He’s built a business where trust drives every client relationship, and growth starts with growing his team. From 5am gym sessions to mentoring staff and dreaming beyond the balance sheet, Paul’s story proves that leadership in this profession starts with living your values.

Trisha Rajkumar isn’t your typical accountant. She’s a second-generation business owner, a martial artist with a black belt, and a fierce advocate for SMEs. From opening a new office in Johannesburg with her dad to mentoring future accountants, she’s building more than a firm, she’s building a legacy. Here’s how discipline, family, and client trust shaped her path.

Neo Hlatshwayo didn’t just climb the ladder, he built the next level. From his early days in Thuthuka programme to leading continental strategy at the African Professionalisation Initiative, Neo is proof that real leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about impact. This is what it looks like when accountants build nations, not just balance sheets.

Dennis Ben Mashego isn’t just running an accounting firm, he’s building a national legacy. With a focus on systems, compliance, and mentorship, he’s redefining what success looks like for SME accountants. From late nights to big dreams, his story is a wake-up call for every firm owner stuck in survival mode.

Johan Massyn didn’t plan on becoming an accountant, he almost didn’t. But a UK gap year, a father’s offer, and a passion for people changed everything. Two decades later, he’s the calm voice in his clients’ chaos, proving you don’t need a CA title to make real impact. Oh, and he’s also a die-hard metalhead. This is not your average accountant story.