Page 7 - KZN Leaders Portfolio E-BOOK 2107

Managing Partner at Mazars Durban
D AVID BATES is the managing partner of the Nowadays, advice is often more significant than the
numbers that are produced.”
Furthermore, Bates said that the values that
Durban Mazars’ office and represents this
underlie Mazars are every important to the firm. He
office both at national and international level.
Bates characterises his professional said. “It is essential that we adhere to these in all
that we have to do. This can be challenging in an
journey as one of perseverance. He said that this auditing capacity, but it is necessary to keep one’s
ability has stood him in good stead over the years. integrity and independence as well as have respect
In order to become a Chartered Accountant (CA), for diversity.” Bates commented, “I lead by example,
he completed his Bachelor of Commerce part time as a managing partner I also have my own clients.
at the then Natal University and then completed Therefore, it is case of do as I do and do as I say.”
his Honours degree and articles through UNISA. It is no surprise that with such an ethos that
“This required much self-discipline and took much Mazars was awarded a Top Employers South Africa
dedication and long hours of study,” commented 2016. In addition, Mazars Durban has a training
Bates. He added that he did not think that the office and provides ongoing programmes for its
necessity for perseverance had changed over the staff as well as provides opportunities for trainees
years in the auditing and accounting profession. to complete their articles. Bates firmly believes that
His proactive work ethic saw him being appointed more needs to be done to ensure that young people
as a managing partner of the Durban Branch of acquire appropriate skills from an early age and that
Mazars in 1988, which has broadened his range of improved standards are achieved across all levels
responsibility substantially. of education in the country. He added that a failure
to address this problem impacts negatively on the
Over the past 20 years, Bates said that he has working environment.
had to face a number of challenges. He explained,
“Things change, nowadays there is immediacy in the Bates said the firm invests in developing the next
business world. People don’t want to wait for facts generation of employees because succession planning
and figures. Advancements also mean that you have forms an important strategy of Mazars. He said,
to keep abreast of computerisation and technological “We need to attract young partners. We also would
developments, which can also be costly, as technical also like to assist in developing new young staff. By
assisting them to grow we get a sense of achievement.
excellence is a given.”
It is also important that we don’t employ people who
He has also experienced challenges in navigating go to work for the sake of work, but that get personal
the various changes in South African law, satisfaction out of their chosen profession.”
including labour and Broad Based Black Economic Bates said, “An important project aligned to the
Empowerment legislation, which have affected focus on employee training is an assessment of
the way that we do business. Bates said, “It is what our company will look like in the next 20 years.
important to stay focused on the requirements of It is essential to evaluate what the client really
the profession and ignore the noises. However, it is wants and look at their future needs. Then one can
also important to navigate the changes and pull in work out how to navigate the client’s success over
solutions for our clients.” the next framework.”
He added, “We need to ensure that our profession Bates is married with two grown up children. He
stays relevant. Current financial services generally enjoy regularly gym sessions, which he says is a
revolve around meeting the client’s needs and this health necessity and plays golf when able to find the
often entails being recognised as a trusted advisor. time, as well as enjoys travelling.

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