Page 135 - KZN Top Business LEADERS-eBook

BRIAN PAYNE

rian Payne is a founding member at Think family needs. “My wife fell pregnant and with a small PERSONAL MILESTONE
Tax, a bespoke tax consulting firm he child on the way, we realised we needed the support
established around 14 years ago. Reflecting of family,” he shared. Once in Durban, he resumed his Brian is proud of his career but highlighted a
Bon his journey, he stated, “My career was position at KPMG, heading up the tax department. personal milestone as his greatest achievement. “It
never planned; it evolved out of circumstances.” might sound clichéd, but getting my wife to agree
SIGNIFICANT THOUGHT to marry me after seven years was my biggest
Brian’s journey began in Montclair, south of Durban, success,” he shared, half-jokingly referring to it as
where he attended St. Henry’s Marist Brothers, Eventually, Brian transitioned to Ernst & Young for “perseverance” rather than what would now be
matriculating in 1983. He pursued a bachelor of a two-year stint. Yet during this time, a significant called “stalking”. This union, he reflected, brought
commerce at the University of Natal, confessing, thought began to take shape. “I started thinking him the most happiness.
“Like many, I started BCom because I didn’t really about my future – how I could work until I was
know what else to do.” 70 or 75,” he said. With young children to support, The most valuable piece of advice Brian ever
received came from his late brother. “He said,
he projected his retirement age forward and
Brian’s first job was as a vacation student at ‘Always work with people who are brighter than you,’
Coopers and Lybrand, which later evolved into concluded, “No one’s going to employ me at 70, and it’s stuck with me ever since,” Brian reflected. “It
PwC. He recalled with a smile, “I did whatever odd so I realised I’d need to start my own practice.” taught me not to fear working alongside or hiring
job I could just to finance my studies.” One of his Brian’s idea came with thorough consideration. people who outshone me,” he explained.
most memorable experiences was working for He spoke to colleagues, seeking their opinions The most significant challenge in Brian’s life also
a loss assessor during the riots in the 1980s. “We on the feasibility of establishing an independent came with the passing of his brother. “He was
had to count stock in places that had been burned tax practice. “The response was clear: there was charismatic, the kind of person who could light up
down. They paid quite well – 100 rand a day, which indeed a need, especially as specialised tax work a room,” Brian said with a touch of melancholy. “His
was significant back then,” he noted. death made me realise that we spend a lot of time
was increasingly centralised in Johannesburg,” he
treading water and doing little when we only have
Brian embarked on an accountancy career after noted. He realised that if he could build sufficient
securing an article clerk position at Coopers and critical mass in Durban, it would be possible to a finite amount of time. It pushed me to make the
Lybrand. He shared, “I probably would have been effectively service the KwaZulu-Natal market. most of every day.”
content as a financial accountant if not for the Finding inspiration is multifaceted for Brian. He
military service requirements at the time.” As an Brian’s current role involves handling corporate recently read Oscar Chalupsky’s book, admiring
alternative to the army, he chose to work at SARS clients and high-net-worth individuals who are the author’s resilience in the face of illness. “Anyone
(South African Revenue Service) for four years forming trusts or needing offshore tax advice. “My who achieves excellence and shows how hard they
but only needed three as the military service expertise lies in blending accounting knowledge had to work to get there inspires me,” he added.
requirement was lifted during his tenure. “While I with tax law, creating a unique perspective,”
was at SARS, I decided to continue my education, he said, adding that he feels most comfortable Reflecting on the challenges KwaZulu-Natal has
specialising in tax,” Brian explained. tackling complex balance sheets. faced, Brian said, “We’ve been through floods,
an uprising, and Covid – all almost biblical in
NEW CHALLENGES An additional role is motivating his team, Brian scale.” However, he remains optimistic. “If we can
distinguishes between the consultants at Think have a period without major setbacks, I believe
His time at SARS laid the groundwork for a Tax and those in compliance. “Consultants are this province can thrive. We have the talent,” he
significant career change. “I got a phone call from motivated by the technical challenges of their emphasised. Encouragingly, he noted, “I’ve spoken
Rob Young at KPMG, inviting me to head up their work, so keeping them engaged isn’t difficult,” to many who now have a positive outlook about
tax practice in Durban,” Brian recalled. He spent he explained. For those in the compliance space, staying in KwaZulu-Natal. It’s a hopeful sign.”
eleven fulfilling years at KPMG, nonetheless, he where the stress of tax filing deadlines is immense,
acknowledged that, as with most roles, the time his approach is more supportive. “I’m there as a In his son’s bedroom hangs a picture that sums up
came when he was prompted to take on a new sounding board and make myself available, even Brian’s philosophy. “It asks, ‘What do you want to
challenge. This prompt resulted in him relocating be when you grow up?’ and answers, ‘Be kind,’” he
to Johannesburg for two years. if it’s late at night during filing season. It’s about shared. This simple message, according to Brian,
reassuring them that missing one deadline isn’t guides his interactions, “Kindness, even in business,
His return to Durban, however, was influenced by the end of the world; we’ll fix it,” he said. brings back happiness in unexpected ways.”
133