TAX ALERT: SARS to Implement Penalties for Non-Compliant Trusts

Words Describing Katlego: Passionate, energetic, Vibrant, Dynamic, Ambitious, Adventurous

“Meet Katlego, our vibrant and passionate young Accountant, ready to shake up the world of finance with her infectious energy and commitment to excellence.

Armed with a Bachelor of Accounting Science degree from IIE Varsity College and currently mastering the intricacies of taxation at WITS University, Katlego is on a mission to revolutionise the accounting game.

But don’t let her dedication to numbers fool you – outside of crunching digits, Katlego is a true adventurer. Whether she’s jetting off to explore far-flung destinations or whipping up a storm in the kitchen, she’s always up for an exhilarating experience.

Katlego’s not just your average number-cruncher; she’s a breath of fresh air in an often-stuffy industry. With her warm smile and infectious enthusiasm, she’s not just a financial whiz – she’s your go-to partner in success.

Join Katlego on her journey to redefine what it means to be an accountant – one exciting adventure at a time.”

Words to describe Andrea – Steadfast, Hard Working, Team Player, Leads by Example, Excellent Communicator

As Omne’s Client Liaison Officer, Andrea takes pride in ensuring our clients’ best interests are always at the forefront.

Since joining the Omne team in 2019, Andrea has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing our client onboarding process. Collaborating closely with Simon White, co-owner and managing director of Omne, they researched and implemented best practice tools to provide transparent and comprehensive onboarding information. From the very beginning, Andrea ensures our clients fully understand the value we provide, the scope of work, timelines, and costs involved. By introducing them to our team of experts, she creates a strong foundation for successful collaborations.

With a Diploma in Marketing and Sales Management from Witwatersrand Technikon, Andrea began her career in the marketing department of a leading national packaging company. However, it was her relocation to Grahamstown/Makhanda in 1995 that set her on a path in the travel industry. Over the course of 23 years, she served as the office manager and administrator for a local travel agency, overseeing accounting functions for branches in Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, and Johannesburg. Besides her professional endeavours, Andrea eagerly contributed her financial expertise to various small institutions as a dedicated treasurer.

Above all, Andrea thrives on engaging with our valued clients and building lasting relationships. It is her genuine passion for the work we do that drives her every day. She finds great joy in being part of our dynamic, driven, passionate, and forward-thinking team, where she leads by example.

Outside the office, Andrea indulges her artistic side through drawing and immerses herself in the world of literature. The time she spends with her family and friends is precious to her, as it rejuvenates her spirit.

With Andrea as your dedicated client liaison champion, you can expect unwavering commitment, exceptional communication skills, and a true team player. Her hard work, dedication, and steadfast approach will undoubtedly exceed your expectations.

Words describing Cornelius – Genuine & Caring, Team Player, Loyal, Positive Attitude

Cornelius is an exceptional accountant who brings a genuine and caring approach to every client interaction. With his unwavering loyalty and positive attitude, he is the perfect teammate to help your business thrive.

As an integral part of the Omne team, Cornelius takes pride in offering professional services that empower our clients to make informed business and economic decisions. Leveraging the latest technological advancements provided by platforms like Xero and Dext, he executes key accounting functions with precision and efficiency. Embracing the digital era, Cornelius recognizes the power of cloud accounting software in keeping our clients ahead of the curve.

On top of his accounting prowess, Cornelius goes the extra mile by assisting clients with sometimes frustrating Workmen’s Compensation and UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund) submissions. His relentless dedication and unwavering smile make him a beloved member of our team, always ready to go above and beyond to support our clients.

Cornelius earned his BCom degree from Rhodes University and joined the Omne family in January 2014. Since then, he has enthusiastically embraced the ever-evolving nature of our industry, constantly seeking opportunities for growth and innovation.

Cornelius is a motivated individual who infuses every task with boundless energy. His positive attitude is infectious, driving not only his own success but also inspiring others along the way. Standing true to his name, Cornelius puts teamwork at the forefront, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for everyone. He even initiated our participation in the annual night bowls competitions, injecting some healthy competition and an abundance of fun into our team dynamics.

When he’s not crunching numbers, Cornelius indulges his passion for soccer and rugby cheering on his favourite teams with unmatched enthusiasm. He is also part of the Grahamstown  Sunset Rotaract club; a service organisation that gives back to the Grahamstown communities.  Cornelius  finds solace in the company of loved ones, enjoying quality time with family and friends. A music enthusiast, Cornelius takes on the role of DJ at our work events, setting the perfect atmosphere to celebrate milestones and create lasting memories.

With Cornelius on your side, you can expect top-notch accounting services delivered with care, loyalty, and a genuinely positive approach.

Words describing Ole – Young & wise, innovative, analytical and process driven

Meet Ole, our number-crunching accountant with a passion for helping businesses succeed! With over 7 years of experience in finance and accounting, Ole is a seasoned pro when it comes to supporting both multinational and local companies. She’s been working with SME’s for the past 5 and a half years, and her enthusiasm for innovative business offerings and digital advancements in the finance and accounting space is contagious!

When she’s not helping businesses thrive, Ole can be found hiking up hills for stunning views, tending to her plant babies, enjoying brunch with friends, indulging in self-care while listening to music, reading and writing or spending time with family.

With her eye on the CGMA designation and aspirations of becoming a director, Ole is always learning, growing, and refining her skills to one day make the big decisions in multiple successful entities.

Words describing Desireé – Solution-orientated, Dedicated & Loyal, Organized, Technologically Savvy, Team Player, Positive

Desireé’s positive energy is contagious. She enraptures the value of leading by example. She loves mentoring and developing other team members and is especially skilled at solving problems. Although she is methodical and organized, she is adaptable when she needs to be and has a flexible and positive attitude to her work. It is easy to see that Desireé loves what she does. As a dedicated and detail-orientated accounting professional, Desireé has been meeting the finance and business needs of our clients for over 17 years. Desiree has been with the Omne family since the beginning, and boy, has she been there for us, She was the very first employee to be appointed at Omne in 2006 other than our founder, Candice Mullins and has grown with our business ever since, obtaining many additional proficiencies, technical skills and experience. She has too developed lifelong relationships with our clients and members of our team.

Desireé is currently responsible for managing our monthly local and international clients and ensuring that the Omne Team is sufficiently skilled, up-to-date with trending changes to our chosen cloud technologies. When we made the conscious decision to move to cloud-based technologies and a no paper environment, Desireé jumped in all fours and made it her business to know the technologies inside and out. She was instrumental in seamlessly moving many of our clients across to the new systems. She is now an expert in Xero, Dext, Approval Max, Draftworx and so many of the other apps we use to deliver our clients with the best information and power tools to optimise their small businesses at all times. Her 20 years of experience in small business allows her to apply her practical abilities effectively and effortlessly to her job.

She’s our secret weapon – slayin’ the Financial Statements, kickin’ butt with the Omne Bowling team, and warming hearts with her ever cheerful spirit.

Words describing Suretha – Passionate, Loyal, Innovative, Environmentally Sensitive, Leads by Example

Suretha’s experience lies in a variety of financial and business accounting roles. In addition to this, she was a process and systems analyst for T-Systems UK (Ltd), project managing international SAP rollouts which involved the improvement of project accounting, enhanced reporting facilities and compliance with various GAAPs for T-Systems in Europe, Asia, the United States and South Africa.

This is what peaked her desire to embrace digital accounting which streamlines and improves processes and systems in support of best practice. Her goal is to find the most suitable cutting-edge cloud-based technology for our clients that saves them time, eliminates pain points, and provides powerful and relevant custom based reporting for their success.

At Omne, Suretha is the Senior Manager responsible for establishing and managing client relationships as well as mentoring staff. A particular strength is her ability to find practical solutions to problems. She brings innovation and drive to team environments with a strong work ethic.

Suretha is a payroll specialist and utilises PaySpace as the payroll and HR application of choice. She also interacts with many of our international clients and is well versed in the laws governing commercial relationships between South African businesses and their American, British, European, and other counterparts.

Suretha s a forward thinker and embraces the cultural diversity she experiences when interacting with people from across the world. She is a culinary artist, turning fresh produce and ingredients into edible masterpieces! She loves creating in the kitchen and spending her free time finding the perfect ingredients for her next creation. Suretha walks the talk living a sustainable life, she is a great example for all of us.

Words describing Jonathan – Completely Dependable, Integrity, Attention to Detail, Tax Guru, Fun

Jonathan is our in-house Tax Specialist, e-Filing and Greatsoft boffin. He graduated from Rhodes University with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Taxation after completing his BCom Degree.

Commencing his working career in 2008, he spent two years working in the Tax Department of Moore Stephens Chartered Accountants in Durban. Jonathan  is responsible for the management of our tax services to clients from individuals to companies to trusts (and more) covering all spheres of taxation including international transactions and estate planning. Jonathan has submitted foreign tax returns in both the United States as well as the United Kingdom.

The Deceased Estate and Trust department falls under Jonathan who, together with Candice, Leanne, Phindile and Angelique, provide all related tax services.

Jonathan is especially skilled in Tax Administration and has more than a decade of experience in the industry making him a SARS (South Africa Revenue Services) E-filing whizz. He has often assisted taxpayers in a pickle to navigate their way through ugly penalties with SARS with remarkable success.

Jonathan moved to Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal at the beginning of 2020 proving yet again, that our environment at Omne creates a climate for us to find the absolute best team to service our clients no matter where they are in the country or where they want to live.

Jonathan joined the Omne Team some 10 years ago! And for all that time, he has been part of Round Table – dedicating his time and skills to making the lives of those less fortunate better. But that’s not all: Jonathan is also an expert underwater hockey player!

Words describing Lisa – Cheerful, Perceptive, Practical, Determined, Attentive

Meet Lisa – the friendly and perceptive Professional Accountant (SA) with a practical approach to life. She’s determined to provide the best possible outcomes for her clients by being attentive to their needs and always putting her expertise to work. With a Bachelor of Accounting Science (BCompt) degree through UNISA and a membership at The South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA), Lisa knows her stuff.

Lisa, however, is not all work and no play. She’s all about living life to the fullest, and that means enjoying all the good things food, family, and travel have to offer. You’ll find Lisa spending quality time with her loved ones and globe-trotting to new destinations to experience new cultures and try new cuisines. Whether it’s the mountainous views of Cape Town, the bustling city of Istanbul, or the serene beaches of Phuket, Lisa is always ready for her next adventure!

Words describing Prudence – Reliable, Calming, Efficient, Integrity, Avid Learner, Proficient

When Prudence joined our Omne Team in September 2022, it was as if she had been with us for years. Her relaxed and reassuring demeanour immediately gelled with all of us as we inherently know we are in safe hands when Prudence is at the wheel.

Prudence has a BCom in Accounting from the University of Johannesburg and is currently completing a postgraduate diploma in specialised accountancy at the University of Witwatersrand.   She is a registered Business Accountant with the South African Institute of Business Accountants (“SAIBA”) and has completed various Continuous Professional Development (“CPD”) courses with the institute.

It goes without saying that Prudence is a certified Xero Advisor and embraces all technologies that offer SME’s the best solutions in today’s ever-changing environment. She is a pro at collating and presenting bespoke financial reports to business owners and assisting with payroll management and tax compliance.

In her spare time, you will find Prudence, preferably outdoors, with family and friends delving in some culinary delights.

Words describing Leanne– Energetic, Dedicated, Determined, Enthusiastic, Innovative and Ambitious

Leanne is a qualified Taxation Specialist; she holds a BCom accounting degree from the University of Pretoria and has an Honours Degree as well as a Master’s Degree in taxation from the University of Cape Town. She has over 26 years of experience in tax, accounting, and business consulting. Her professional history includes positions such as Manager at PwC Private Wealth Compliance, Commercial Director for a Mauritian Company, Director of tax advisory at a management company in Mauritius, and owner of her own tax and accounting practice.

It was evident from the get-go that Leanne is a solution orientated person who understands big picture. She is an action driven person whose energy is contagious. We have no doubt that her experience and pragmatic approach to challenges will have a hugely positive impact on our clients and our team.

In her spare time, you will find her running on the road or in the trails with her friends or coaching athletes on the athletics track.  Leanne is enthusiastic and ambitious and believes that anything is possible if you are willing to work hard, have dedication and determination.

Leanne has recently joined The Omne Team, and we are delighted to have her onboard.

Words describing Marta – Family-orientated, Fun, Communicator, Passionate, Problem Solver

Inquisitive and enquiring by nature, Marta loves to see positive change happening collaboratively, efficiently, and sustainably. In particular, she is passionate about creating transparent links between strategic initiatives, enterprise risk management and financial performance. What drives her is partnering with entrepreneurs and providing insight to grow their businesses. 

Marta grew up and studied in Johannesburg. She completed her Bachelor of Accounting at the University of Witwatersrand. She then went on to do her traineeship with Deloitte and Touche in Johannesburg before starting her career in banking.  

After working in the banking environment in Johannesburg for close to a decade, and having taken time to travel and start a family, she joined the Omne Team in August 2021 as our Client Success Officer and is based in Cape Town.  

Although Marta is a new member to Omne, her curiosity and enthusiasm about making a difference to small businesses makes it feel as if she has been a part of the team for much longer. She brings with her the experience of a big corporate, but is energised by working with entrepreneurs and believes the impact Omne can make to their decision making is invaluable. Getting to partner strategically with business owners and experiencing their success is what motivates her to be a part of the Omne Team.

Words describing Dom – The Entertainer, Team Spirit, Can-do Attitude, Solution orientated, Energetic.

Dominique is a true professional with a positive attitude to everything she does. Her time management skills are insane as she achieves in a day what most people do not manage in a week. She is involved in Omne’s marketing and social media campaigns as well as the office co-ordinator and entertainment rep extraordinaire. Dominique joined The Omne Team in October 2019.

Dom, as she is so affectionately referred to is someone who will be integral to our future, she has the quintessential values of who we are and what we stand for. A real team player!

Before joining Omne she worked in the education system as the sports coordinator for a school. She is highly organized and enjoys liaising with people and has a wonderful rapport with our clients and team.

She is excited to see where her career goes within the Omne Family, and the future looks bright.

Words describing Angelique – Tenacity, Professional, Fast Learner, Positive, Team Player

Angelique is passionate about providing enriched tax compliance and tax advisory services to our clients and improving their tax efficiencies in all areas of tax whether individuals, corporates, trusts or voluntary associations. She will tell you that she has loved being part of the Omne Team because of the immense experience that she has had in all things tax. Omne has a technically strong tax division and Angelique has not only built excellent skill in tax compliance and dispute resolution, but has also built skills in tax emigration, estate planning, trusts and tax structuring. The fact that several of our clients are offshore has piqued her interest in international tax too.

Already Angelique, with her colleague Tiaan have authored articles in Tax Talk, a highly acclaimed tax journal used by tax professionals and business people in South Africa. We have watched Angelique develop into an astute tax advisor and are enormously proud to have her as part of the Omne team. She is particularly skilled at not ever giving up and remains optimistic about always finding a solution to a problem she has been presented with.

Angelique joined the Omne Team as a tax trainee after obtaining her Honours Degree in Taxation at the University of Pretoria. She has since completed her taxation traineeship and is a qualified Tax Advisor (SA) and member of the South African Institute of Taxation (“SAIT”).

In her spare time, Angelique spends time with her family and loves being outdoors.

Words describing Kholiswa – Enthusiastic, Creative, Forward thinking, Enterprising, Technology Embracing

Kholiswa’s motivation is to guide small businesses in making better financial decisions with the purpose of making them prosper and contribute to the prosperity of our country by creating jobs and uplifting communities. She is passionate about saving clients’ time, equipping them to streamline their business tasks, enabling them to better understand their cashflows and profit margins and isolating areas of their business that require investment and those areas that may require strategic change or sunsetting.   Kholiswa loves technology and she is well versed in Xero, our business and accounting hub, Spotlight and Syft; our specialised reporting apps and Float which we use to manage short term cash flows for clients requiring micro management of their cash flows.

Kholiswa joined the Omne Team in 2019. She has a BCom in Accounting from Nelson Mandela University and has completed her SAICA Articles (South African Institute of Charted Accountants). She is a member of The South African Institute of Business Accountants (“SAIBA”). It is Kholiswa’s ultimate goal to qualify as a Chartered Accountant.

We are fortunate that Kholiswa is part of our dynamic Omne Team whose passion is centred on maximizing our client’s experience, and her ability to adapt to the continued changes in technology, laws and regulations that are so critical to our industry.

Her love for people, passion for accounting and optimistic attitude makes her a powerhouse not to be ignored.

Words describing Tiaan – Enthusiastic, Caring, High Energy, Fun, Out of the Box Thinker

Tiaan joined our Omne Team in 2019 and right from the get-go, he wanted to make a difference and has done just that. He brings energy to the team, and we see a bright future for him at Omne.

He obtained his Masters in South African and International Taxation in 2020 is qualified as a Master Tax Practitioner with the South African Institute of Taxation (“SAIT”).

Tiaan strives in building strong foundations with our existing and prospective clients and enjoys engaging with clients on diverse topics.  We love how Tiaan thinks of alternative ways to find solutions. He firmly has his eye on the road ahead and engages in continual learning to find ways to improve all things tax related for our clients.

When Tiaan is not busy adding value to Omne’s clients, you can find him playing golf or spending time with his close friends and family. Tiaan is a true South African and loves his rugby which he still plays with his friends regularly.

Words describing Evans – Focussed, Attention to Detail, Sincere, Wise, Loyal

Evans provides our entrepreneurial clients with relevant, powerful and useful financial reports including budgets, cash flow forecasts, analytical reports, KPIs, and other bespoke reports specifically designed for each and every type of industry we serve. His focus is to provide our clients with a business compass which not only gives them real time accounting reports to really understand the heartbeat of their businesses, but more importantly drives the businesses into the future.

Understanding small business is the area where Evans is focussing his energy and he loves helping business owners and managers with business, accounting, and tax aspects of their businesses.

Evans studied at the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe where he obtained a BCom Honours Degree in Accounting. He started his career in the banking sector and has worked in the accounting industry ever since.    

Evans joined the Omne Team as an Accountant in May 2019.   He is a member of The South African Institute of Taxation (“SAIT”) and The Southern African Institute for Business Accountants (“SAIBA”).   

Evans loves his fitness regime and ensures that he keeps a healthy body and mind. During down time Evans enjoys listening to music and watching movies.