Obtained B.Comm.(Accountancy) degree and B.Comm.(Accountancy)(Hons)/(CTA) at the University of Pretoria, completed the Audit Specialist diploma at RAU, passed the two SAICA board exams and qualified and registered as CA(SA).

Served three years’ audit-training contract at a medium-sized audit firm in Pretoria, doing everything from data capturing to full audit, also obtained experience in dealing with SARS on all the statutory returns, resolving tax queries and dealing with prosecutors on summons issued to clients.

Joined Deloitte & Touch Management Solutions for close on two years after audit-training contract, was seconded to various institutions, including telecommunications, banking and construction. Duties included identifying problems and risks, addressing problems and developing systems to avoid and minimise risks, also drafting financial statements for listed and non-listed companies.

Was offered a permanent position with a listed construction company, resulting from a secondment. This financial management position covered South African and Mozambique operations, dealing with both countries’ tax, legal and financial responsibilities.

The manufacturing division of the same group offered a similar position and I took the opportunity and gained a great deal of experience in that sector.

Was approached by a private, non-listed construction company to fill a financial management position, was responsible for implementing IFRS, ensuring that all reporting standards were met in order to list on JSE. This company went from strength to strength, acquiring other companies to make it one of the large listed construction companies on the JSE.