EY signs strategic partnership with South African accounting firm Motlanalo
Global professional services firm EY has announced the signing of a strategic partnership with South African firm Motlanalo Chartered Accountants and Auditors. The partnership will offer EY a local presence with expertise, while Motlanalo will gain access to an international network.
Motlanalo is a relatively new firm that was established last year with the unique distinction of being a 100% black-women-owned firm. As a result, the firm operates with the additional advantage of being compliant with Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) regulations.
The firm offers a range of services, including auditing and accounting, payrolling, company secretarial services, tax services and advisory services. Alongside its compliance with diversity regulations, the firm holds particular relevance in the current South African business environment, given the increasingly stringent tax environment.
Motlanalo will no operate as a strategic partner of Big Four accounting and advisory firm EY is South Africa. In addition to its well-established profile in the South African market, Motlanalo is lent credibility as a partner by the fact that it was founded by Koko Khumalo, who has formerly been a Senior Partner at EY.
Including her long stint at EY, Khumalo has over two decades of professional experience, specifically in the domains of client service as well as practice management. Under the new partnership, Motlanalo will continue to operate under its own name out of its established offices, headquartered in Polokwane.
“I have been waiting for an opportunity to empower my staff by growing their skills set and exposing them to different auditing environments – something that has remained difficult for us to achieve to the fullest to date. Through this partnership, our three offices will have access to unrivalled growth and learning opportunities,” said Koko Khumalo.
EY Africa Chief Executive Ajen Sita commented, “This partnership will allow Motlanalo to gain audit experience in the private sector, with initial focus on bank audits, on the back of EY’s own growth and capability in that sector. Through this partnership we are able to ensure that practical skills of handling complex client matters are transferred – in a segment of our market that has been traditionally difficult to access by emerging audit firms.”
“This is one way we are demonstrating our commitment to the South African transformation and inclusive growth agendas. By being part of Motlanalo’s growth journey, we continue to live our purpose of building a better working world,” Sita added.
