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01 August 2023 | Story Kekeletso Takang | Photo Supplied
Business Acumen 2023
Students engaged experts on the accountancy profession at the recent Business Acumen Day hosted by the UFS School of Accountancy.

The University of the Free State (UFS) School of Accountancy held its second Business Acumen Day on Wednesday 19 July 2023 in the Callie Human Centre on its Bloemfontein Campus.

The morning saw approximately 650 students fill the centre, eager to listen to the accountancy experts who attended.   

“Central to the success of an accountant are values that guide one’s professional behaviour. Values of patience, respect for oneself and others, ethical behaviour, and having the right mindset,” Conrad de Wee, Chairman of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Central Region Council and Senior Manager at auditing firm Mazars, told the attendees. De Wee also shared the story of Dion Shango and his journey towards becoming the first black executive to be appointed CEO of PwC Southern Africa, at age 39.

Patricia Stock, audit partner and CEO of auditing firm MGI RAS and former SAICA board member, said she lives by the motto “Grow as I grow” and believes that, “The place you come from does not make you; it’s the choices you make that make you.” Stock described attending the event as a “privilege” and encouraged students by sharing her own journey. “You have given us an ear. You have given us the power to speak over your lives. We are here to plant a seed, sharing nuggets of wisdom… Do away with limiting beliefs and rather embrace diversity. The workplace needs diverse professionals who bring diverse ideas.”

Professor Bernard Agulhas, former CEO of the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors and currently Adjunct Professor of Auditing at the UFS, said that auditors are in the right place to shine a light on irregularities, and if they don’t, one questions if they are complicit. He also discussed the required behavioural competencies of accountancy professionals and auditors. “We should go back to the basics. I would like to tell you about those basics. Focus on the principles that guide auditors when you go into the profession… Accounting professionals should be professional, independent, accountable, courageous, serve the public, and maintain trust.” 

Prof Agulhas urged students to uphold these principles at every step of their career journey. 

Rob Rose, Financial Mail Editor and author of Steinheist, alluded to the financial scandals of the past decade. Rose, who has written about governance and the grey area that exists between what companies say and what they do, contributed to exposing, among others, the Steinhoff scandal. “With Steinhoff, the red flags were there. There were tons of red flags all along. Why did the board of directors, partners, and investors miss them?” When asked by a student if there was a link between the past decade and the former governance of South Africa, Rose responded, “Yes, there definitely is a link. During that governance, there was a culture of permissibility. Plenty of grey area. There was an ethical slippery slope that didn’t hold individuals accountable.”

Prof Frans Prinsloo, Director of the UFS School of Accountancy, noted that the Business Acumen Day had addressed important professional values, attitudes, and skills that aspiring accountancy professionals need to be effective in the workplace. He also encouraged students to learn from the mistakes of the past, not to repeat them once they enter the profession, and thanked sponsor Standard Bank for investing in future leaders and helping to ensure the event’s success.  
Prof Frans Prinsloo, Director of the School of Accountancy, welcomed guests, partners, and students to the event.
Prof Frans Prinsloo, Director of the School of Accountancy, welcomed guests, partners, and students to the event.
Conrad de Wee, Chairman of the SAICA Central Region Council and Senior Manager at Mazars.
Conrad de Wee, Chairman of the SAICA Central Region Council and Senior Manager at Mazars.
Rob Rose, ‘Financial Mail’ Editor and author of ‘Steinheist’.
Rob Rose, ‘Financial Mail’ Editor and author of ‘Steinheist’.
Prof Bernard Agulhas, Adjunct Professor of Auditing at the UFS and former CEO of the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors.
Prof Bernard Agulhas, Adjunct Professor of Auditing at the UFS and former CEO of the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors.
Patricia Stock, audit partner and CEO of MGI RAS and former SAICA board member.
Patricia Stock, audit partner and CEO of MGI RAS and former SAICA board member.

News Archive

UFS hikers to Cape Town reflect on their journey
2014-05-26

 

For the four volunteers from the university who are currently on their way to the Cape on foot, every hour of every day is a victory.

It is three weeks since two employees from the University of the Free State (UFS), Adéle van Aswegen and Ntokozo Nkabinde, together with two other Bloemfontein residents, Nico Piedt and Ronel Warner, left Bloemfontein on fóót for the Cape, in order to highlight the problem of food insecurity among students.

On Sunday 18 May they crossed the halfway mark at Beaufort West and will conclude their journey on Tuesday 3 June in Cape Town.

This is what the hikers have to say after three weeks on the road:

Adéle van Aswegen
It isn’t only a physical journey, but rather an emotional journey you undertake. You learn what it means to be truly thankful for basic things like clothes, a place to sleep and food.

Nico Piedt
I know what it feels like to survive on only a glass of water in your stomach – a cup of weak tea if you’re lucky – for the whole day. If I can help (through the hike) to give someone a better chance in life, then it is worthwhile.

Ronel Warner
You think and grow simultaneously. As you plan every stride ahead of you, you also plan your life ahead.

Ntokozo Nkabinde
You don’t walk for yourself. You undertake this journey, maybe because you want to help someone, but this journey is actually in honour of something bigger and you just have to endure.”

These boots are made for walking ... to Cape Town (Article of 02 May 2014)
“Aren’t auntie and them hungry yet?” Country folk worried about NSH hikers (15 May 2014)

Daily updates:
(You can also follow us on @UFSweb for daily tweets)

Day 33: 2 June 2014
13:40
20 km
Sunset Beach, Cape Town

Day 32: 1 June 2014
16:05
26 km
Mervyn and Sanet Wessels, Belville

Day 31: 31 May 2014
16:31
39.6 km
Rhonell and Gavin Julain, Paarl

Day 30: 30 May 2014
14:00
16 km
Monte Rosa, Rawsonville

Day 29: 29 May 2014
13:16
31 km
The Habit, Worcester

Day 28: 28 May 2014
11:00
22.4 km
Monte Roza, De doorns

Day 27: 27 May 2014
17:00
21.1 km
Karoo Hotel

Day 26: 26 May 2014
18:27
43.3 km
Tows river

Day 25: 25 May 2014
12:18
Lord Milner Hotel, Matjiesfontein

Day 24: 24 May 2014
16:30
42 km
Laingsburg Country Lodge

Day 23: 23 May 2014
17:32
41.8 km
Vergenoeg

Day 22: 22 May 2014
16:42
43 km
Assendelft Lodge and Bush Camp, Prins Albert

Day 21: 21 May 2014
15:09
42 km
Leeu Gamka Hotel

Day 20: 20 May 2014
13:39
20 km
Alida, Springfontein

Day 19: 19 May 2014
12:31
27.6 km
Teri Moja Game Lodge

Day 18: 18 May 2014
First rest day
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 17: 17 May 2014
19:30
62.3 km
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 16: 16 May 2014
13:00
14 km
Taaibochfontein

Day 15: 15 May 2014
16:03
32 km
Travalia, Three Sisters

Day 14: 14 May 2014
18:33
43 km
Joalani Guest Farm

Day 13: 13 May 2014
17:30
33 km
Die Rondawels

Day 12: 12 May 2014
16:49
40 km
Aandrus B&B in Richmond

Day 11: 11 May 2014
39 km
Wortelfontein (Magdel and Christiaan)

Day 10: 10 May 2014
15:44
34 km
Hanover Lodge

Day 9: 09 May 2014
40.8 km
Camping between Colesberg and Hanover

Day 8: 08 May 2014
15:25
33.7 km
Colesberg, The Lighthouse Guesthouse

Day 7: 07 May 2014
15:08
23 km
Orange River Lodge

Day 6: 06 May 2014
15:57
51.06 km
Gariep Forever Resort

Day 5: 05 May 2014
12:18
28 km
Rondefontein

Day 4: 04 May 2014
15:27
35 km
Trompsburg: Fox Den

Day 3: 03 May 2014
17:30
46.74 km
Edenburg Country Lodge (Hotel)

Day 2: 02 May 2014
11:44 am
15.3 km
Tom's Place

Day 1: 01 May 2014
32 km
Leeuwberg

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