When one thinks of an accountant, the word passionate is probably not the first to spring to mind, however when talking to Tish one quickly discerns her fervent dedication to her profession.
Raised in a small town in apartheid-era South Africa, Tish recognised the transformative power of education from an early age. Motivated by this insight, she resolved to pursue a career as a chartered accountant, she was certain that this would become one of her most powerful tools in achieving her long-term aspirations.
Following her qualification as a Chartered Accountant, Tish embarked on a career in external audit, initially convinced that she had found her ideal career.
After a decade in the audit sector, an opportunity arose for her to relocate to the United States. Although her experience living there fell short of her expectations, it catalysed significant personal and professional growth. Subsequently opting to depart the US, Tish made the decision to migrate to Australia. Without knowing what laid ahead, she resigned from her position, packed minimal belongings, and embarked on a one-way journey to Melbourne.
This move marked a pivotal juncture in Tish’s career, transitioning from external audit to corporate accounting. As a Chief Financial Officer in the financial services sector, Tish quickly observed a gap in the accounting services available to small and medium businesses. This is what pivoted her towards entrepreneurship and establishing InFinance Solutions. Despite the challenges inherent in launching a business in a new country with limited resources and networks, Tish approached the endeavour with determination, recognizing the obstacles but not deeming them insurmountable.
Presently, Tish successfully operates her own business, serving as the founder of InFinance Solutions, a firm which caters to the accounting needs of small and medium-sized businesses.
Additionally, she has established InFinance Global Solutions, a remote accounting office based in Johannesburg, South Africa, which provides remote resources to accountants and bookkeepers in Australia. Through her ventures, Tish exemplifies both the adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit that define her professional journey.
How do you think that growing up in apartheid South Africa has shifted your perspective on your personal and professional lives?
Growing up amidst the backdrop of apartheid-era South Africa, one becomes acutely aware that your capabilities are constantly being measured by the colour of your skin. Interestingly, what this environment did cultivate was a generation of formidable female roles models such as Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Fatima Meer, whose stories serve as wellsprings of inspiration and empowerment.
I feel privileged to have grown up with these roles models and have learnt that effecting any form of change necessitates unwavering determination and the fortitude to assert oneself.
How has your cultural experience working in the corporate world in Johannesburg, the US and then Australia shaped the way you’ve built and run your business?
Having worked across three continents, I’ve learned firsthand the importance of finding the right cultural alignment, particularly with regards to business. When I relocated to the US, I was recruited for my specialized skill set in external audit, which I had meticulously honed over a decade. However, one of the most significant challenges I encountered was the mismatch in cultural fit, leading me to question my proficiency in my role.
Migrating to Australia was quite the contrast, I found myself seamlessly integrating both professionally and socially. This was largely due to the shared cultural nuances among countries like Australia and South Africa, creating an immediate sense of belonging. Consequently, when presented with the opportunity to establish a remote team, I instinctively chose South Africa as the ideal location. I recognized that the combination of cultural affinity and the strong technical acumen of South African accountants would be a recipe for success.
What are your perspectives on ‘imposter syndrome’ particularly as a WoC founder?
Imposter syndrome can manifest in unique and compounded ways, regardless of one’s background. However, for women of colour, additional factors such as societal biases, systemic inequalities, and cultural expectations can exacerbate these feelings.
To cultivate confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging it is crucial that women and girls of colour see themselves reflected in leaders and other role models.
One of the ways to achieve is by having more accessible platforms where we can share our stories; the successes and the failures.
What do you think we can do more to support indigenous businesses?
I work closely with several successful indigenous businesses. What is crucial to these businesses is recognising that its not just about providing accounting services, what is truly needed in this landscape is to understand that we if we are to achieve true transformation, we need to impart skills.
One of the focus areas of InFinance Solutions is to deliver training to indigenous businesses that focus on building the financial skill sets that facilitate the operation of a successful business.
Who would you say is your biggest role model and why?
Undoubtedly, my greatest role models are my parents. Each of them navigated environments marked by racial and gender biases that sought to curtail their opportunities. However, they refused to let these obstacles define their paths.
I’m profoundly grateful to them for their unwavering love and support, as well as their relentless efforts to ensure I received a quality education. They have taught me that for dreams to come true, they need to be turned into goals and that you can achieve anything through hard work, determination, and self-belief.
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