Annja Louca
I became an accountant because my mom was an accountant for a big manufacturing company, and she ran that department like clockwork for 35 years. I worked at this company every holiday since I was 10 years old and did everything from receptionist to stock takes to debtors, creditors and event planning (Christmas parties). I learnt about work ethic from her. She never took a promotion to a FD because she loved her job, but she loved us and being a mom more. When I asked her recently if she has any regrets, she answered no.
I studied because of my dad. He believed a woman should be smart and he believed in me and now that I have kids, I understand how much he believed in me. My dad always said to me that you need to treat your clients like they are your dad or mom or family. Because they are someone’s mom, dad, family and I wouldn’t want someone to treat my family badly.
The best part about my job is that every single client is different and unique. It is very interesting to get to know the person behind the business or tax affair. It helps me understand the situation and get the best position for them.
We provide accounting, taxation, secretarial, bookkeeping and accounting recruitment services, and consulting services within the Johannesburg area. We also understand that as a business you need to use all the tools available out there and we love to work with technology to give you the best solution possible.
Our staff members have a clear job description and take responsibility and ownership of that job description for their allocated clients. The firm’s values are to form a personal relationship with our clients and make time to explain things to them, adding value not only to their business but to Anlo Financial Solutions as well.
Being good in business, and being a good leader doesn’t mean you need to be the best at it. It means doing the right thing for everyone, including your staff.
Success in business is always a team effort. Your clients rely on your team to deliver, your team rely on you to set the example and to plot the course for your business, and without your team, you cannot succeed in your company goals. You don’t need to be the best leader all the time; but you do need to be consistent, fair, and clear about destination you are all aiming for.
Esmerelda Doman
I run Anlo Financial Solutions here in South Africa. I am a Chartered Accountant, married with two gorgeous girls. From a very young age I enjoyed academic challenges and the relief after completing complicated assignments! It was probably my curious nature that drew me to financial riddles. I realised that this is where I belonged.
Although I always studied hard, it was in my honours’ year that I realised that dedication and determination are as important as knowledge – without them I would not have been able to become a CA.
In 2009 when I started as a trainee accountant, I wanted to gain as much knowledge and experience as I could. I also had my first child while still studying and before qualifying as a CA. I soon realised that I needed to move to where my hard work would be rewarded, and my personal values would be shared as well.
Anlo currently has a staff of eight, and between us we manage in the region of 250 clients. I have to manage the work and wellbeing of our staff – numbers might be the bedrock of our business, but our people are vital.
We built Anlo’s reputation not just on the quality of our accountancy, but on providing a personal service; we don’t think you can do the job properly any other way. Whether that is simply offering advice on the best packages to use and how to use them or handling all aspects of a client’s finances, people skills are essential.
Nurturing, maintaining and building relationships is at the heart of our business and it is as important as anything else we do
Ready to get started with Anlo?
Regardless of where you are, our team is available to help you, whether in the UK or in South Africa. The same technology mentioned earlier makes it possible for us to function as a tight-knit team, despite the continents between us. We are always available to give advice and help – you don’t have to wait until your year-end to pick up the phone or drop us a line. We want to bring all the lessons we have learned and the skills we have acquired over the years to help you grow your business’s success. If you want accountants who are happy to speak to you more than once a year, then contact us.
