Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your role in the audit team at PKF Channel Islands?
I grew up in Ladysmith, South Africa, and completed my Bachelor of Accounting Sciences degree at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2013, followed by a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Chartered Accounting at the University of Johannesburg in 2014. I began my accounting articles in 2015 and completed my training in 2018, which gave me a solid grounding in both technical work and client engagement. Outside of work, I’m a husband to a wonderful wife and a father to two amazing kids. I enjoy playing chess, as well as both playing and watching football and rugby. More recently, I’ve taken up running, and it’s quickly become a favourite hobby—especially here in Jersey, where every route gives me a chance to explore more of the island’s beautiful scenery. I am employed as an audit manager at PKF Channel Islands with a portfolio of a wide range of clients from venture capital, private equity, local charities and JFSC regulated entities.
What were you doing before joining PKF Channel Islands, and what experience did you bring with you?
I previously worked as an audit manager at another accounting firm here in Jersey before joining PKF Channel Islands. During that time, I served as audit methodology champion and was part of the audit technical team, where I helped support the application of audit methodology. I also facilitated training sessions on the methodology and recent updates to auditing standards to ensure that the audit team is correctly applying the requirements so that the audit files met the quality requirements for internal reviews as well as external inspections by regulators such as the JFSC and the FRC. Maintaining high audit quality is central to how I work, and I’m committed to continue with that standard here at PKF Channel Islands.
What first drew you to a career in audit and finance?
It was really a process of elimination for me. Growing up, the careers I was most exposed to were nursing and medicine through my grandmother, teaching through my parents, and accounting through my uncle. I quickly realised that anything medical wasn’t an option – I’m not great with blood – so nursing or becoming a doctor was out. School in those days still had corporal punishment, which definitely affected how I viewed teaching as a career. That left me with accounting, and that’s ultimately how I found my path into accounting and finance.
What attracted you to PKF Channel Islands when you were thinking about your next move?
There was a time I was struggling to maintain a healthy work–life balance in my previous job, I’ve always loved auditing and knew I wanted to stay in the profession so I started researching audit firms in Jersey. When I came across PKF, I spent time reading about the firm, and what really stood out to me were the client testimonials and, even more so, the employee experiences. Many staff members mentioned that they had previously worked at Big 4 firms and, after major life changes like getting married or becoming parents, they were looking for a more flexible and supportive environment. They spoke very positively about the balance and culture they found at PKF, and that resonated with me. By the time I finished reading, I was convinced this was the right place for me, and I haven’t looked back since.
What does your role involve day to day?
My role focuses on supporting the planning and delivery of audit engagements for a range of clients across the islands. I work closely with my team members to perform testing, analyse financial information, and ensure that our clients’ financial statements are accurate and compliant with relevant standards. What I enjoy most about the role is the mix of problem‑solving and collaboration. Every client is different, so there’s always something new to learn, and being part of a supportive team makes that process really rewarding.
When things get busy, what’s one small thing that helps you stay focused during a busy audit period?
This will be my first busy audit period at PKF Channel Islands but from past experience, completing as much of the audit work as early as possible in the audit cycle ensures that at the peak of busy season the final stages are smoother and less pressured.
And finally, where’s your favourite place to grab lunch during the working week?
Most days I bring lunch from home and enjoy it in our games room downstairs. I’m not a fan of working lunches, so I prefer taking that time to switch off a bit. On the days I don’t pack lunch, I usually treat myself to a quarter chicken with roast potatoes from La Tradizione at the Central Market – it’s become a bit of a favourite.