Meet our #SAIPAproud member

“Why choose to fit in, when you were born to stand out?”

SAIPA Board Member on exciting move to Ireland

He may be off to Ireland, but Ian Ferreira-Massyn will proudly fly both the South African and SAIPA flags in his new designation at KPMG in Dublin.

Ferreira-Massyn, a valued and respected SAIPA member, has served the Institute as Board member, member of the EXCO Committee of the Board, and Chairperson of the SAIPA Marketing Committee.

He is nervous, yet excited, about the big move ahead, where he will work in the Consumer Goods and Industrial Markets Audit Division.

“It was truly encouraging to experience how respected SAIPA is in Ireland,” he says. CPA Ireland is, just like SAIPA, a well-known international accounting designation and professional qualifications held in high regard worldwide. The Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA Ireland) and SAIPA holds a mutual recognition agreement that allows a member of one body to become a member of the other.”

Ferreira-Massyn says though South Africa will always be a part of who he is, he and his husband hope to make a new home in Ireland. “We will do so with faith, hope and love – which is also what the “leaves” of Ireland’s symbol, the shamrock, represents.”

A Passion for SMEs

The accounting seed was planted at a young age when Ferreira-Massyn helped out in his parents’ fruit and vegetable store.

“I went to the shop every afternoon after school. I truly took pleasure in packing the fruit carefully, punching the cash register for my mother, and assisting with stock pricing. I suppose this is when the tiny spark that ignited my current passion for Small and Medium-sized businesses first appeared.”

Ferreira-Massyn emphasises that SMEs are more than simply businesses.

“Every SME tells the story of a family and their way of life; it’s a narrative of working hard and achieving a dream amidst giant corporate competitors; it’s a story of dedication and commitment to supporting a family. That’s why I chose accounting! Not so much for the number crunching aspect of it, but rather to develop the knowledge and abilities to, ideally, be the “super-man” for families whose livelihoods depend on their SMEs.”

After obtaining a BCom in General Accounting at the then Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (where he also served as the Treasurer of the Ballroom and Latin-American Dance Society) Ferreira-Massyn joined Mazars as a trainee accountant in February 2010.

He worked his way up the ranks and was promoted from senior, supervisor, assistant manager, and manager, to lead of the accounting and outsourced service line for the Mazars Port Elizabeth office.
“Working at a reputable mid-tier firm like Mazars allowed me the chance to hone my technical audit, accounting, and tax skills. We have to grab every opportunity that comes across our path to strengthen our leadership skills and expand our professional network.”

Ferreira-Massyn therefore also served as Board member of MTR Smit Children’s Haven in Port Elizabeth (a non-profit organisation) and as Subject Advisory Board Member for the postgraduates in internal auditing at the school of business and economic science at Nelson Mandela University.

A Bright Future awaits for Young Accountants

Ferreira-Massyn is confident that the skills he acquired locally will ensure he is well-equipped for what lies ahead abroad.

“South Africa’s residency-based tax system and tax legislation is one of the most comprehensive and diverse tax systems in the world,” he explains. “In this diverse tax system, tax professionals in South Africa are required to uphold the principles of integrity, objectivity, technical competence, professionalism, and confidentiality to ensure that they first and foremost serve in the interest of the public.”

He adds that technological and data analytic advancements will drastically change the collection, processing, and reporting of tax data across the globe. “Therefore, the tax professional of the future needs to stay relevant by predicting challenges and solutions that tax functions may face in changing times.”

For new SAIPA members and young accountants whose careers are just beginning to take off, Ferreira-Massyn also has some insightful advice.

“You’ll be amazed at what you attract into your life when you decide to break through barriers and start believing in what you are capable of. Consider yourself to have been chosen to be a Professional Accountant (SA) rather than thinking that you picked the designation.

He says that as a result, one’s viewpoint will be that one of the most prestigious designations in the world has given you the responsibility of improving the lives of businesses, individuals, and communities.

“Be #SAIPAProud and soon you will realise that barriers do not exist because being a member of SAIPA you have global opportunity.”