Marriage and accounting are two very different things, but they can be related in certain ways. Marriage is a legal and social union between two people, often based on love, companionship, and mutual support. Accounting, on the other hand, is a system of recording, analysing and reporting financial transactions. Div and Jana Lamprecht show us how to crunch numbers while enjoying the blissful joys that come with love and marriage.
What are your roles?
Div has been the regional executive for SAICA in the Central Region since 2005. Jana lives out her passion for teaching in the School of Accountancy at Free State University, where she is the auditing subject head.
Where did you meet? (Were there any accounting pick-up lines?)
Jana and I met on the first day of our articles at Cooper & Lybrand (now PwC) Bloemfontein, and it was love at first sight. The first time I saw Jana, I told a friend that was later the master of ceremonies at our wedding, ‘I’m going to marry that girl.’ Fortunately we both worked in the auditing department, which helped a lot, as we spend an enormous amount of time together. We were both active in sports, with me being into long-distance running and Jana being a talented hurdler at school. We quickly found common ground and became close friends, eventually leading to a romantic relationship that lasted over two decades.
Tell us about your family?
We have been married for 21 years and have two children: Anne in Grade 11 and a son, De Villiers, in Grade 9. They are both active in sports, and we enjoy spending time supporting them next to the sports fields.
How do you make memories as a family while being mindful of your budget?
We believe that experiences are more valuable than material possessions, and we make a conscious effort to create meaningful memories as a family. We plan our vacations and outings in advance. Our kids have learned to appreciate the value of experiences over possessions, and we believe that this mindset will serve them well in the future.
As chartered accountants, how do you balance your work and personal life?
Being both chartered accountants, we understand the pressures that come with the job. We have learned to prioritise our work and communicate openly and honestly with each other to ensure that our family time is not compromised. We also make a conscious effort to separate our work and personal lives and be available for our passions outside of work. Our love for sports and outdoor activities has allowed us to create meaningful memories as a family while also staying fit and healthy.
What have you learned from each other?
Since Jana has a passion for technology and love sharing her knowledge, Div constantly learns new tips and trick from her. Since Div is an extrovert, Jana learns a lot about engaging with people and building meaningful relationships. We have both learned to compromise and be available for each other despite the demands of our careers.
What are your passions outside of work?
As mentioned earlier, we are both very enthusiastic about sports and outdoor activities. Div enjoys competing in Enduro sports and has completed the Two Oceans marathon, back-to-back Comrades and Ironman. Jana, on the other hand, enjoys running and has set her goal to participate in cross-country during the winter months. She also enjoys living out her creativity through gardening and crafting. Her ultimate dream is to deliver a TED talk.
How do you count on each other as partners and chartered accountants?
We understand the importance of trust and communication. We count on each other to provide support and guidance, both professionally and personally. We also understand the pressures that come with the job and make a conscious effort to be there for each other during challenging times. We have learned to balance our strengths and weaknesses, and we complement each other in our roles as chartered accountants. Overall, we believe that our partnership and shared passion for the profession have made us a stronger team, both at work and at home.
What is your advice for young couples who are starting their careers as chartered accountants?
Our advice for young couples starting their careers as CAs is to prioritise communication and be available for each other. It is easy to get caught up in the demands of the job and neglect your personal life, but it is important to maintain a healthy work/life balance. We also recommend finding a shared passion outside of work, whether it is sports, music, or art. Having a common interest outside of work can help you create meaningful memories and strengthen your bond as a couple. Finally, we encourage young couples to be mindful of their finances and prioritise experiences over material possessions. The memories you create together will last a lifetime, while material possessions will eventually lose their value.
More than money, what is the cost of marriage and how are you two making it work?
Marriage costs time, effort and commitment. It requires compromise, communication, and a willingness to work together towards common goals. We make it work by prioritising our relationship and being available for each other despite the demands.
Do people ever make fun of the both of you being CAs? If they do, what is your clapback?
No, not really, but if the kids do well in maths and accounting, the teacher might have a word or two on the DNA of parents being CAs.
What comes first: fun or the cost of having fun?
Fun. We are strong believers in the saying ‘Don’t count the days, make the days count.’ Memories as a family cannot replace any monetary amount in the bank!
In conclusion, while marriage and accounting may seem like unrelated topics, Div and Jana prove they can be intricately connected in terms of managing finances as a couple.
It is important for couples to communicate openly and honestly about their finances and work together to create a financial plan that works for both. These two have never failed to uphold that!
Author
Sharon Manzini
