Habitual creativity, innovative business solutions
In today’s fast-paced world, where business processes are accelerating exponentially, it is a breath of fresh air to encounter the innovative spirit and an understanding of the importance of creativity and the arts at the root of an exceptional enterprise such as Middel & Partners. Yuven Gounden spoke to Coenie Middel
Local accounting firm Middel & Partners has been named one of the most inspiring accountancy practices in the world and has been selected for inclusion in the book The World’s Most Inspiring Accountants, which was published in April this year.
Middel & Partners is one of only four firms in South Africa to feature in the book, which is an extraordinary achievement. At the announcement ceremony, chartered accountant Steve Pipe, who was the book’s author and led the research team, said: ‘Over a hundred thousand accountancy practices from across the world were eligible, but after a rigorous 18-month research process only 57 of them from 10 countries made the cut.’
Pipe added: ‘It is also a richly deserved accolade because they really are making a profound difference to their clients, community, and the wider world. They have helped numerous clients with growth strategies, helped failing businesses with turnaround strategies, and equipped companies to deal with uncertainty and create value for all stakeholders.
‘Along with the other firms in the book, Middel & Partners is helping to raise the bar for accountants across the world: inspiring an entire profession, and showing it how to make more of a difference by serving clients better than ever before. And one thing is really clear … the world would be a much better place if more accountants were like them.’
Middel & Partners’ chairman Coenraad (Coenie) Middel says: ‘We are humbled and proud to be named as one of the world’s most inspiring accountants. We have always believed passionately in the role accountants play in creating a better world by helping to make businesses more successful, creating jobs and generating wealth. So it is wonderful to see our commitment to those things being recognised on a global stage.’ He also has his sights set on Africa, because he believes that developing the continent will provide vast potential for growth and opportunity and he encourages youngsters to share this vision.
He explains his core services as follows: ‘I provide strategic advisory and deal-making services, and craft business models for clients and my own businesses to deliver value to all stakeholders by linking strategy with resources, finance and capabilities. My key focal area is making innovation a key strategy for short-term and long-term success, and establishing frameworks for radical and incremental innovation.
‘I do all this by creating a lifecycle approach to running the business and developing a strategy for success at every stage – from business plan to launch, to growth, and to maturity. Furthermore, it is key to developing more effective strategies by aligning company purpose, positioning, and programmes and demonstrating how to adjust your strategy as market conditions change. I relish in recognising, and capitalising on emerging opportunities.’
Beyond auditing, tax and accounting
The Middel success story began with his parents being business people, and so when the young Middel, who claims to have had ‘too many interests’, had to choose a career path, he chose the CA(SA) route.
Middel attended Carletonville High School and completed his undergraduate studies at the then University of Potchefstroom (now North-West University). He then did his Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA) at Unisa and also completed courses at Harvard Business School in the USA from 2008 to 2010.
Although one may have assumed that his lust for entrepreneurship led him to this choice, the reason is quite complex. He had five options in mind, namely accounting, engineering, law, pharmacy and optometry. Whilst the latter choices were attractive, he realised that those might have become somewhat restrictive. ‘However, if I chose the CA(SA) route, I could still enjoy elements of these areas. That is true for me today, considering that I currently work in some of these sectors today.’
As Middel tackled the studies toward the prestigious, yet arduous, CA(SA) journey, he found that the training provided him with analytical skills and the requisite number crunching skills. However, there was still something missing. ‘Apart from wanting to be an entrepreneur, I was also interested in the arts. For me, creativity is key and I believe that the creative side is what provides the inspiration for the creative and innovative business solutions that provide me with the edge in the world of business.’
Immediately after completing his traineeship with Deloitte in 1992 he started Middel & Partners as a sole practitioner, but also soon started several media, entertainment and technology ventures that stimulated his creative and innovation ideas. ‘Today Middel & Partners has nine branches and eight partners, and we employ some 120 staff members delivering specialised services across Africa. Our clients range from the single entrepreneur to large multinationals. Since I started my business, we have managed to retain and grow most of our clients, and this is indicative to me that we are doing something right,’ explains Middel.
Since starting his practice, he has amassed vast experience working with parastatals and entities in the media, entertainment, infrastructure, mining, property development and healthcare sectors. He consults with international and locally listed companies, large private companies and government departments.
Coenie’s inspiration and roadmap for the future: ‘We would like to think that we breathe life into our clients’ businesses. We go far beyond just auditing, tax and accounting. Yes, we make sure that we protect our clients’ interests and make sure all is well, but we also look towards the future and guide clients accordingly. It involves the ability to look at the business holistically, assessing its strengths and weaknesses, identifying opportunities and threats, and reigning in resources to allow the business to meet its desired goals. We get to know our clients by spending time with them, working closely together and building mutual respect. And we choose our staff well and train them to be an inspiring team that goes the extra mile.’
This CA(SA) extraordinaire also produces television and live shows, and creates virtual reality, augmented reality and mobile apps and games through his media and technology companies. He is the chairman of companies Tixsa, Left, Oxyg3n Media, The Midnf*ctory and Dondoo Studios. Indeed, Middel is steeped in the world of the arts through his media businesses. His companies develop and promote artists locally and internationally, and also produce albums, music videos, television shows, films, stage plays and musicals. His companies’ current projects include Married at First Sight (a controversial international reality television show), a food and adventure show shot in South Africa with Australian Masterchef winner Brent Owens, and Size Matters (investigating why things are the size they are). They are also producing mobile apps for the mining, healthcare, and other industries: his virtual reality mining simulation is a world first.
AUTHOR | Yuven Gounden
