"Sureswipe champions entrepreneurial growth by ensuring that we can provide accessible and affordable payment solutions that add value and sustainability to their business," says Paul Kent, MD of Sureswipe, a silver partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 on 13 and 14 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

• REGISTER NOW for the Finance Indaba. Limited FREE tickets with with invitation code: FB2016

With the event around the corner, we will be chatting to all the Indaba partners, asking them why they are joining the event and what their most important message for finance professionals is.
Do you want to hear more about Sureswipe uses technology to address scalability? Do you want to be informed about the latest and greatest in finance? Then don't miss the Finance Indaba Africa 2016. 
Why will you be present at the Finance Indaba?
"Being present at the Finance Indaba creates a platform to meet like-minded individuals from across the continent. I’m particularly interested to meeting some of the continent's Fintech Innovators."
What will you be talking about?
"I will be talking about building for scale. Today’s business models rely on scale and while technology provides scalable products, it is often the business itself that needs to scale. I will share the learnings from Sureswipe and how we are approaching and making use of technology internally to address scalability and the impact it has on our customers. The importance of building distribution networks, understanding service requirements and online vs physical presence."
What are the challenges you can help finance professionals/firms/consumers with in 2016?
"Access to services is problematic, when we consider payment acceptance less than 10% of transactions in Africa are electronic, in South Africa, it is closer to 40% of transactions. With close to 100 million cards issued, the problem of adoption is not cards in circulation, but acceptance points. We are focusing on ways to bring easy and accessible products to independent retailers irrespective of their size. and offerings that consumers and entrepreneurs may not be afforded by other providers in the industry. How do you scale business to ensure that businesses and firms become exponential organisations of the future? What and how should businesses look to their value chain to allow for efficiencies that ultimately allow for a simple and hassle-free end user/customer experience?
How does Sureswipe "champion entrepreneurial growth"?
"When we first entered the market in 2008, merchant fees were astronomically high and service levels shockingly low. Merchants would wait in excess of 30 days for the installation on a card machine and fees in excess of 5% were common.
"We made a difference by providing access to superior services and a lower price. We are now moving into a new area where based on your card machine, transactional information or transactional flows we are adding value to the clients and helping them do better business."
What are the keys to great customer service? 
"Building and having a client relationship with an understanding of your client. I’m from a family of retailers growing up in my grandfather’s shop and my wife owns retail stores, so I get a deep understanding of the challenges facing independent retailers. Next is people, do we have the right people with the right attitude who can solve problems and connect with customers. I’m not only talking about employees in the service centre but employees across the organisation. People need to be empathetic, really care and be proud of the organisation and the service they provide. In return the organisation should provide the right tools and the right level of autonomy or empowerment for employees to make decisions that impact customer service. Then we have consistency, we often get caught up in trying to WOW a customer. The problem with this approach is it is usually inconsistent. The client has a WOW experience one day and a poor experience the next. Our approach has been to provide consistent service at every touch point along the customer journey. Finally, communication; communicate to customers, especially when it is bad news and be brave and admit to your mistakes. Customers usually understand and appreciate the honesty."

"Kronos WM applications are crucial in enabling greater visibility into labour activities for the purposes of effectively managing and maximizing worker productivity, controlling labour costs, tracking operational tasks and minimizing compliance risks," says Yolanda Krajnc, Sales Manager of Bytes Systems Integration, a gold partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 on 13 and 14 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

• REGISTER NOW for the Finance Indaba. Limited FREE tickets with with invitation code: FB2016

In the coming weeks and months, we will be chatting to all the Indaba partners, asking them why they are joining the event and what their most important message for finance professionals is.

Do you want to hear more about Bytes' Kronos Workforce Management solutions? Do you want to be informed about the latest and greatest in finance? Then don't miss the Finance Indaba Africa 2016. 

Why will you be present at the Finance Indaba?
"Kronos Workforce Management (Kronos WM) solutions radically improve effectiveness and efficiencies for organisations in terms of managing all aspects of workforce management and controlling excessive costs related to absenteeism and overtime experienced in South Africa and globally. We’ll share our hard-earned bragging rights with financial professionals across diverse verticals so that they can unlock opportunities hidden within their workforce processes to drive profitability."
 
What will you be talking about?
"Kronos WM applications are crucial in enabling greater visibility into labour activities for the purposes of effectively managing and maximizing worker productivity, controlling labour costs, tracking operational tasks and minimizing compliance risks.

"According to research, absenteeism costs South Africa about R16 billion per year. These costs are excessive, real and measurable. But there is good news – risks and costs of absenteeism that have harmful effects on scheduling, overtime and productivity can be controlled. We want to show finance professionals how they can regain control and reclaim increased levels of productivity and profitability."
 
What are the challenges you can help finance professionals/firms with in 2016?
"The business case for Kronos is principally in terms of efficiencies gained. Kronos’ global reputation for cutting costs, managing compliance and increasing profits is phenomenal.  We want our customers to focus their attention on their business goals without being hampered by outdated or manual processes that divert from their core functions. Through Kronos WM we will optimize the attendance and profitability of an organizational workforce, whether mobile, remote or off-site, by empowering management with key insights into real-time information."
 
What has been key to Bytes enjoying success in different territories?
"Powerful real-time information, uncompromised user experience, mobile management and cloud-based functionality are some of the key differentiators of Kronos.  Kronos is designed specifically to improve productivity and ease-of-use for employees, their line managers and executives. We top-up the bottom-line of all our customers by adding value, cutting costs and increasing profits."

How can Bytes help keep absenteeism under control?
"Through our partnership with Kronos, we provide a solution that helps companies get ahead of the game, by automatically alerting managers when employees are approaching defined policy limits. The solution also empowers the employees to stay on top of their own attendance records by using employee self-service tools that track their annual and sick leave balances. Having a system in place to stop “stolen hours” allows management teams to regain control and enables organisations to reclaim their productivity and profitability.  Its unique focus on absenteeism enables Kronos to assist organisations to cut their operational costs, keep them fully compliant and increase their profitability." 

"Over the past 30 years, the consistency of our expertise in business systems has earned us an award-winning reputation," says Jurgens Snyman, CEO of the Lorge, a silver partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 on 13 and 14 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

• REGISTER NOW for the Finance Indaba. Limited FREE tickets with with invitation code: FB2016

In the coming weeks and months, we will be chatting to all the Indaba partners, asking them why they are joining the event and what their most important message for finance professionals is.
Do you want to hear more about Lorge's value-add offerings? Do you want to be informed about the latest and greatest in finance? Then don't miss the Finance Indaba Africa 2016. 

Why will you be present at the Finance Indaba?
"The Finance Indaba is a perfect place for Lorge to interact with the 5 000 prospects who are expected to attend the event. It provides Lorge with an opportunity to foster new and old relationships with finance professionals, to promote its brand by showcasing its value-add offerings which will help the financial professionals run their operations efficiently by cutting down costs and realising desired results."

 What will you be talking about?

​"Transforming Financial Attitude on a World-Class Stage."

"In this session, Lorge will focus on how organisations can gain operational efficiencies, reduce costs and increase business growth. This will be demonstrated using real-life customer case studies."  

What are the challenges you can help finance professionals with in 2016?

1. Streamlining processes to increase productivity and reduce operating costs
2. Showing satisfactory revenue and profit growth
3. Regulatory compliance
4. Financial consolidation and reporting
5. Adapting to the changes in the technology space with respect to Internet of Things and Industry 4.0
6. Enhance efficiencies throughout the business by reducing the reliance on manual input and automating processes through adaptive workflow.

What has been key to Lorge winning so many awards over the years?
"Over the past 30 years, the consistency of our expertise in business systems has earned us an award-winning reputation."

1. Dedication to excellence
2. Customer-centricity
3. Highly passionate, skilled and product certified consultants
4. Dedicated Client Care Centre
5. Dedicated Sage Accredited In-house Training Centre.

How has the business evolved since it was established in 1986?

1. Lorge has grown to become the preferred supplier and implementer of Sage X3, Sage 300, Sage CRM and Qlikview business and technology solutions in Africa
2. Implemented over 10 000 users across numerous industries
3. A service provider for more than 250 companies
4. More than 30% of Lorge’s clients are listed on the stock exchange
5. Operates inside and outside South African borders.

“In the current volatility, uncertainty and complexity, internal audit brings objective assurance to the finance professional who is constantly under pressure.” says Dr Claudelle von Eck, CEO of the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa (IIA SA), a gold partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 on 13 and 14 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

• REGISTER NOW for the Finance Indaba. Limited FREE tickets with with invitation code: FB2016

In the coming weeks and months, we will be chatting to all the Indaba partners, asking them why they are joining the event and what their most important message for finance professionals is.
Do you want to hear IIA SA explain the role of internal audit in strategic and imperative thinking? Do you want to be informed about the latest and greatest in finance? Then don't miss the Finance Indaba Africa 2016. 
Why will you be present at the Finance Indaba?
“The Institute will participate in the activities of the Indaba. Although internal audit is not primarily a financial discipline, finance professionals are a key stakeholder of internal audit. Being present at the Indaba gives the Institute the opportunity to engage with finance professionals with the objective of educating them on the role, mandate and value of internal audit.”
What will you be talking about?
“We will be focusing on internal audit as a strategic imperative, as well as the role of internal audit in integrated thinking.”
What are the challenges you can help finance professionals/firms with in 2016?
“Internal audit provides assurance and best practice advice to the finance function, among others, in the organisation. Finance professionals should see internal audit as a partner in their quest to instil financial discipline in the organisation. As a risk-based discipline, internal audit is able to advise on the areas where the organisation is exposed, but also on the opportunities that may be wasted.”
“In the current volatility, uncertainty and complexity, internal audit brings objective assurance to the finance professional who is constantly under pressure.” 
How has membership of IIA SA grown over the years?
"The Institute currently stands at 8 200 members strong, up from 5 260 eight years ago. This is primarily as a result of a concerted effort from the Institute to professionalise internal audit. Membership is voluntary, which makes recruitment a tough challenge. Unlike professional bodies, where legislation mandates membership, the IIA SA continually has to prove its value."
What is ethics intelligence?
“Ethics intelligence speaks to the individual’s ability to recognise ethical implications in decisions and situations and respond appropriately. It also speaks to the ability to recognise ethical dilemmas and being able to find the best means to deal with such a dilemma, i.e. finding a solution that would have the least adverse impact.”
​

"Until and unless transformation becomes part of the fabric of corporate South Africa we will, I believe, never reach our potential as a country,” says Peter Walsh, CFO of Servest Group, a gold partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 on 13 and 14 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

• REGISTER NOW for the Finance Indaba. Limited FREE tickets with with invitation code: FB2016

In the coming weeks and months, we will be chatting to all the Indaba partners, asking them why they are joining the event and what their most important message for finance professionals is.

Do you want to hear more about Servest's custom facilities management solutions? Do you want to be informed about the latest and greatest in finance? Then don't miss the Finance Indaba Africa 2016. 

Why will you be present at the Finance Indaba?
“The Finance Indaba is an opportunity to interface with fellow professionals and to get an understanding of what service providers to the industry have to offer. It is the first event of its kind in South Africa and I hope to play a small part in making it a success.” 

What will you be talking about?
“I will be talking about transformation. Part reflection on where I believe we are from a transformation perspective and part acknowledgment of just how far I believe we have to go. Until and unless transformation becomes part of the fabric of corporate South Africa we will, I believe, never reach our potential as a country.” 

What are the challenges you can help finance professionals with in 2016?
“As an integrated facilities management company, Servest is uniquely positioned to give finance professionals the opportunity to compare their current facilities spend against a custom solution that will allow them to realise savings and improving service delivery.”

How is Servest dealing with the increasing pressure on businesses to become sustainable and eco-friendly?
“Many of Servest’s initiatives focus on improved service levels through automation, which has a direct impact on our paper consumption.  More effective scheduling, route planning and deployment of our vehicles across the country also limits our carbon footprint.  We are also leaders in water-wise landscaping and energy management solutions and our Technical Services division is currently involved in research to bring electric vehicle charging stations to South Africa.” 

​How does the South African facilities management sector compare with that of the UK?
“The UK facilities management sector is a more mature market, particularly in the approach to how FM is procured. Research we have done in our UK business indicates that bundling or integrating of service providers is on the increase, as customers realise the benefits not only in cost saving, but also in improved partnerships, single points of contact and streamlined administration.” 

"At SAP, we are using breakthrough new technologies to provide finance organisations with the platform and tools to allow them to completely reinvent how they work in the digital era," says Neil Herbert, director of business analytics at SAP, a platinum partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 on 13 and 14 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

• REGISTER NOW for the Finance Indaba. Limited FREE tickets with with invitation code: FB2016

In the coming weeks and months, we will be chatting to all the Indaba partners, asking them why they are joining the event and what their most important message for finance professionals is.

Do you want to hear more about SAP's world-changing innovations? Do you want to be informed about the latest and greatest in finance? Then don't miss the Finance Indaba Africa 2016. 

SAP is the world leader in enterprise applications in terms of software and software-related service revenue. Based on market capitalization, it is the world’s third-largest independent software manufacturer. SAP innovations help 320 000 customers worldwide work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively. The company’s vision is to help the world run better and improve people’s lives and its technology impacts healthcare, youth, sport and prosperity around the world.

“The Finance Indaba Africa continues to attract leading brands keen to showcase their incredible solutions but, most importantly, contribute to the learning and insights of thousands of finance professionals. SAP is a global leaders and will be showcasing global trends together with expert insights,” says CFO SA MD Graham Fehrsen.

Why will you be present at the Finance Indaba?
“SAP solutions lie at the heart of helping organisations, particularly in the finance space. At SAP, we are using breakthrough new technologies to provide finance organisations with the platform and tools to allow them to completely reinvent how they work in the digital era. We see a future in which finance organisations focus their efforts on developing and executing the organisation’s strategy, where the expertise of finance professionals is focused on solving business challenges and driving performance – a future in which all members of the organisation, from the boardroom to the front lines, have the information they need to make decisions at the speed of thought.” 

What will you be talking about?
"We will be covering the world of digital finance and what it means for different organisations. This could include:
·      Real time, continuous processes, with no manual processes or media breaks.
·      Full transparency of all information accessible to everyone in the moment.
·      Transforming finance for live business in terms of strategy, business performance, efficiency and compliance.
We will also be taking a look at how SAP’s flagship cloud application, S/4HANA Finance, in combination with the massively powerful SAP HANA innovation platform, is supporting live business right now to:
·      Shape new business models for growth.
·      Collaborate and connect the “live” business.
·      Be an engine of insight.
·      Manage risks and help ensure compliance
·      Optimise and automate." 

What are the challenges you can help finance professionals/firms with in 2016?
"We can help organisations overcome the challenges of:
·      Long, complex IT projects by architecting new business models which will ensure flexible business modelling, deep analysis and rapid implementation of new business models.
·      Late, off target, inconsistent reporting by placing Insight in the hands of the business. SAP Finance solutions give instant insight-to-action anytime, anywhere enabled by a single source of truth.
·      Burning the midnight oil by ensuring lights-out finance processes with automated and networked processes, event-driven and inherently compliant." 

SAP was certified as one of the top employers in Africa for 2016. What went into achieving this?
"Independent research revealed that SAP Africa provides exceptional employee conditions, nurtures and develops talent throughout all levels of the organisation and has demonstrated its leadership status in the HR environment, always striving to optimise its employment practices and develop its employees."

How important is innovation to SAP?
“Innovation lies at the heart of SAP.  It is who we are and it is what drives us.  Our customers success is our success – in order to keep our customers relevant in today’s digital economy, innovation allows us to create opportunities from disruption in order to gain a competitive advantage.

​“SAP is four to five years ahead of the rest in terms of in-memory computing giving CFOs the ability to derive much faster insights and reduce business complexity. This allows for better governance and compliance in a more complex and volatile world. We enable the CFO to become a strategic adviser to the board by a) freeing up her time and b) providing much richer insights and the ability to predict/simulate outcomes.”

"We will be talking about the mandatory audit firm rotation and our views on the positive aspects and the focus on auditor independence, how companies can gear up when it does come into play and how we play a part in this as Nkonki,” says Mitesh Patel, Managing Partner of Nkonki, a gold partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 on 13 and 14 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

• REGISTER NOW for the Finance Indaba. Limited FREE tickets with with invitation code: FB2016

In the coming weeks and months, we will be chatting to all the Indaba partners, asking them why they are joining the event and what their most important message for finance professionals is.

Do you want to hear more about Nkonki's full range of services? Do you want to be informed about the latest and greatest in finance? Then don't miss the Finance Indaba Africa 2016. 

Why will you be present at the Finance Indaba?
“There are a couple of reasons. The main one is for us to contribute to this intellectual databank of the entire finance community. By doing this, we are going to be showcasing our brand in terms of what services we can offer and also understand the concerns, trends and movements coming out of the finance community. As a firm, we want to be able to cater to their needs and provide appropriate service delivery.”

What will you be talking about?
“From a stall perspective, delegates will be able to see our full range of services. This is our first formal introduction to the Finance Indaba so we want to showcase the entire brand. From a speaker perspective, we will  be talking about the mandatory audit firm rotation and our views on the positive aspects and the focus on auditor independence, how companies can gear up when it does come into play and how we play a part in this as Nkonki.” 

What are the challenges you can help finance professionals with in 2016?
“We will look at the trends coming out of the Indaba and take them to our clients if it affects them. We need to understand the transformational aspects we need to get involved in so professionals have access to firms such as ours, including the Big Four. They need to understand what is out there for them, over and above the mindset that you can only go to the Big Four to become a chartered accountant – let us showcase the other black firms and second tiers and see the options they have. There is a stigma attached to professional firms like us, as we are seen solely as external auditors, but we actually have a wide range of services and get involved in a variety of expertise, including corporate finance, external and internal assurance, forensics, etc and look at skills available in the market.”

How do you view transformation in the auditing sector?
"Transformation still has a long way to go in the auditing sector. Regulators have had their eye on the ball in terms of making sure that transformation is top of mind. From a firm perspective, they are all thinking about transformation. But transformation throws up a wide variety of challenges. It is not simply about hiring black candidates, but also about giving intellectual capital to those who join our firms. Black firms need this capital to get access to market so that we can develop people who are better equipped to service the industry.”

Tell us about your graduate programme.
“Our graduate programme bas two facets. Firstly, we have our CTA academy for those studying towards the certification. We house them and give them lessons and tuition to prepare them for the exams. The second part is the hiring of trainees to do articles. We try to hire students who are CTAs, but also those who are studying towards it, because that is where the gap in the market is. We are the only type of firm that can grant opportunities to these students who may not be able to study further because of financial difficulties. We try to strike a balance here.” 

"We have exposure to the regulatory environments in 120 countries and can share these global experiences and how they impact local operations," says Brian Eaton, CEO of RSM South Africa, a silver partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 on 13 and 14 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

• REGISTER NOW for the Finance Indaba. Limited FREE tickets with with invitation code: FB2016

In the coming weeks and months, we will be chatting to all the Indaba partners, asking them why they are joining the event and what their most important message for finance professionals is.

Do you want to hear more about RSM South Africa's integrated problem-solving approach? Do you want to be informed about the latest and greatest in finance? Then don't miss the Finance Indaba Africa 2016. 

Why will you be present at the Finance Indaba?
"RSM South Africa believe that the Finance Indaba is an excellent opportunity to engage with the CFO community to discuss the rapidly evolving business world, through advances in technology, communications and infrastructure. We have exposure to the regulatory environments in 120 countries and can share these global experiences and how they impact local operations."

What will you be talking about?
"RSM South Africa will be talking about building strong, collaborative relationships with clients based on a genuine understanding of needs, strategy and aspirations. We will also, because of the multi-disciplinary nature of our practice, be able to discuss any aspect of business critical to CFOs."

What are the challenges you can help finance professionals with in 2016?
"Many finance professionals are challenged by the ever-increasing compliance requirements imposed by legislation. We believe that our integrated problem-solving approach and team of experts allow for joint plans of actions to be developed for the multi-disciplinary teams to execute."

What went into RSM South Africa being named the RSM member firm of the year for 2015?
"In 2015, RSM South Africa was formed by a merger of three South African member firms. This has resulted in a substantial multi-disciplinary audit, accounting and consulting firm with professionals having a broad range of expertise and qualifications. RSM South Africa has also played a leading role in the international offerings of RSM International and specifically the growth of RSM in Africa. It was very rewarding to be recognised by our peers as the Member Firm of the Year from the 120 member firms worldwide."

How does RSM build strong, collaborative relationships with its clients?
"We offer a high level of attention from a dedicated Partner. This is a reflection of our staffing model and client service philosophy. A dedicated partner will ensure that their team is always ready to meet your needs and deadlines and give you the dedicated attention that you need based on a genuine understanding of needs, strategy and aspirations.

"We believe in striving to be an essential part of our clients’ business, thinking ahead and responding rapidly to changing needs seamlessly across the globe.

​"We believe every client should benefit from the ideas and insights of our most senior experts, both locally and globally, enabling them to move forward with confidence."

"CFOs tend to think of the Deloitte business as providing audit, assurance and tax services, but we also have a strong human capital consulting business and a risk advisory business with a strong capacity around cyber, general risk management and forensics," says Kevin Black, Executive Partner for Clients & Industries at Deloitte South Africa, a platinum partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 on 13 and 14 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Deloitte has more than 220 000 professionals at member firms delivering services in audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and related services in more than 150 countries and territories. Revenues for fiscal year 2015 were $35.2 billion. CFO South Africa MD Graham Fehrsen calls Deloitte a "global powerhouse" and says that he is "proud to see the company join the Finance Indaba and share know-how and networks".

• REGISTER NOW for the Finance Indaba. Limited FREE tickets with with invitation code: FB2016

In the coming weeks and months, we will be chatting to all the Indaba partners, asking them why they are joining the event and what their most important message for finance professionals is.

Do you want to hear more about Deloitte's full suite of services? Do you want to be informed about the latest and greatest in finance? Then don't miss the Finance Indaba Africa 2016. 

Why will you be present at the Finance Indaba?
"The Finance Indaba is a fantastic event. It is great to see that CFO SA is finally doing something like this. We think that there is a massive need for finance professionals in the country to come together to meet their peers and see what providers are out there in terms of helping them with their decision-making. We think it is a fantastic platform and networking opportunity and we are looking forward to being involved in the Finance Indaba.”

What will you be talking about?
“CFOs are a big target market for us. We’re going to be having digital and innovation specialists speak on one or two of the panels. Innovation and mapping out a digital roadmap are so important. Our digital teams help organisations understand and embrace all these emerging disruptive digital technologies.to ensure that they continue to be competitive and relevant. We’ve got speakers talking about disruption and your business’s digital journey and will also feature Ajit Kambil, who runs our global CFO programme. 

“CFOs are being called upon to fill expanded leadership roles these days. Boards and CEOs want CFOs to do more and be their strategic partners. CFOs are having to oversee critical operations like IT and human resources in their finance organisations and given these demanding expanded roles, there is a significant amount of pressure on them. We have created a CFO transition lab, which helps newly appointed CFOs, including those with prior experience, to make an efficient transition into the role. In the lab, we talk to CFOs about transitional experiences, dealing with legacies, prioritising, coming to grips with confidences issues and talent in their teams, relationship-building and formulating a 180-day plan for the role. We’ve done 40-50 of these labs in South Africa over the last year to great acclaim.

“We will also be talking about how to use time properly and be less operational and more strategic in your outlook as a CFO. We will be showcasing the full suite of Deloitte services. CFOs tend to think of the Deloitte business as providing audit, assurance and tax services, but we also have a strong human capital consulting business and a risk advisory business with a strong capacity around cyber, general risk management and forensics, as well as a significant outsourcing business. Currently CFOs are looking at optimising operations and cost-saving opportunities, for which we have a full suite of services.”  

What are the challenges you can help finance professionals with in 2016?
“Operationalising innovation in businesses. helping organisations with their digital roadmaps and our CFO programme are the areas of focus.”

You’ve been with Deloitte for 24 years. Can you tell us about some of the changes within the organisation over the years?
“Deloitte has been best known as a traditional tax, audit and assurance business, but more than half of our business is now in advisory services. We were voted the largest full-suite consulting organisation in the world. It’s been the growth of the advisory business within our organisation to be just as big in revenue terms as our audit and assurance business. The other change that has been significant is transformation. We are now 31% black-owned in terms of partners in Southern Africa, with a workforce that is about 50% black. We’ve achieved significant success in this regard. We are also now an integrated African business in 15 countries in the East, West, Central and Southern regions of the continent.  A truly pan-African firm with significant operations across the continent, we function as a single business, instead of a federation of country-based divisions.”

Deloitte has achieved record-breaking growth over the past five years. What has been key to this success?
“Clients are at the centre of our organisation. Our purpose is to make an impact that matters. The only way you can achieve this is if you are distinctive and the undisputed leader. You have to have a very a deep client-centric approach. Our aspiration to be the undisputed leader has been fundamental to our success."

What qualities does Deloitte look for when hiring finance professionals?
“We are a highly regarded employer and have a very distinctive internal culture, which is conducive to success and which the leadership is constantly nurturing. We look for intelligent people who are passionate, motivated and who want to be the best. They should be looking to ask questions and have a hunger to work with us.”
​

"Need to know what your staff or suppliers are doing with your money? Want a dramatic improvement in cashflow, debtors and creditors management? We will share ideas and tools to gain visibility, improve cash flow and dramatically reduce the risks of e-fraud," says ROI specialist Johan Potgieter of Business Harmony, a silver partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 on 13 and 14 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

• REGISTER NOW for the Finance Indaba. Limited FREE tickets with with invitation code: FB2016

In the coming weeks and months, we will be chatting to all the Indaba partners, asking them why they are joining the event and what their most important message for finance professionals is.

Do you want to hear how Business Harmony can help improve your cash flow? Do you want to be informed about the latest and greatest in finance? Then don't miss the Finance Indaba Africa 2016. 

Why will you be present at the Finance Indaba?
"Marvin Minsky once said: 'A computer is like a violin.' You can imagine a novice trying first a phonograph and then a violin. The latter, he says, sounds terrible… Computer programs are good, they say, for particular purposes, but they aren’t flexible. Neither is a violin, or a typewriter, until you learn to use it.

"Business Harmony believes that a good software solution must think like a human, behave like an actuary, and be able to be understood and operated by a fifth-grader. We are here to advise the delegates how basic principles can help them function better."

What will you be talking about?
"Business Harmony will be discussing real life business problems that are caused, by the people, which operate the financial systems, that are used for the management of business financial processes globally… and how to fix them.

"We will be discussing the following topics:
1. Why traditional E-Invoicing is marginally better than postage and at the risk of extinction.
2. How Accounts Payable Automation could be the worst investment your business can ever make.
3. The best ways to forget to invoice for revenue that is due to you.
4. How to steal from your business and avoid discovery and prosecution. Why fraud has become easier as technology and processes become more complex?
5. Why cost savings can’t just be “fingers and toes”.

"The primary discussion point will be how to quickly leverage ROI by implementing basic practices in your finance department. And it’s not the promise that the insurance brokers have been using for decades."

“'I can guarantee to double your money; I’m just not sure how long it will take.'

"Yes, it’s a product pitch, but it’s also hopefully going to add value to how you view the technology solutions offered to finance in future."

Why Business Harmony?
"Business Harmony provides E-Invoicing, Accounts Payable Automation, Archiving and Workflows that incorporate the principles of Electronic Content Management and combines this with our unique Business Process Improvement tools."

I believe Business Harmony is launching an exciting product at the Indaba?
"Yes. Business Harmony will be showcasing one of our more recent developments in the Business Process Management arena that will significantly reduce the business information gaps between Procurement, IT, Operations and Finance.

"In a nutshell, it’s complex to solve an issue that occurred more than 30/40/50/60 days ago, yet that is one of the miracles that Finance is expected to do every day.

"We have the ultimate solution – not Big Data, just useful stuff…"