Mlangeni and Associates is a forward-thinking financial services company based in South Africa. It is dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) in making informed financial decisions and maintaining regulatory compliance.
Founded in 2022 by Ketsa Isaac Mlangeni, the company aims to provide comprehensive, high-quality financial services without the high costs associated with full-time, on-site professionals.
“Our team of Chartered Accountants ensures that businesses receive the expertise they need to grow and succeed, while managing costs effectively,” Ketsa explains.
Love for Numbers
Those who knew Ketsa’s brilliance as a young learner in Mathematics, Accounts, and figures will probably tell you they are not surprised at how his entrepreneurship journey has taken him to the helm of a financial services company.
And by his own admission, Ketsa always envisioned himself working in an environment of numbers.
“I started my journey at the University of Johannesburg, where I completed both my undergraduate and postgraduate studies in accounting. I am originally from a small town in the Free State called Qwa Qwa, where I was born.
“My educational journey has played a pivotal role in shaping my career and ultimately led me to start my own accounting firm, Mlangeni and Associates (Pty) Ltd. From my university days, I had a strong passion for accounting and demonstrated a high level of proficiency in the subject.
“I was a high performer throughout my studies, with an excellent grasp of accounting principles. In my CTA year, I ranked number 8 out of 500 candidates, which was a significant achievement and reinforced my confidence in my capabilities,” Ketsa says.
Leap of Faith
Armed with a strong academic background, it was not difficult for Ketsa to secure a well-paying job in South African financial services. However, as the years progressed, the desire to embark on his own entrepreneurship journey became overpowering.
Says Ketsa: “I initially stayed in external audit for some time after completing my articles. I progressed in my career and eventually became an experienced audit manager. However, I always felt a strong pull toward something greater.
“There is a well-known saying: ‘When you are on the wrong train, you should get off at the nearest stop.’ It took me some time to make that decision, but I am grateful for the extensive experience I gained in audit, which exposed me to various industries and broadened my professional expertise.
“Eventually, I took a leap of faith and transitioned into industry, which ultimately led me to start my own firm. I had been working in corporate for some time, but it was not giving me the fulfillment I desired. I already had a company that I had registered, and this was my sign to take the leap of faith and build something meaningful.”
Market Gaps and Opportunities
Through his excellent business acumen, Ketsa took advantage of a big gap in the finance industry – the cost of having in-house finance teams is becoming exorbitantly high, and most companies cannot sustain this over the long term.
“We offer outsourced accounting solutions to businesses, allowing them to access high-quality financial expertise without the burden of maintaining a full-time finance team. Instead of hiring an in-house finance manager, who specializes in only one area, our clients gain access to a full range of expertise across different finance disciplines.
“Our boutique accounting firm provides dedicated finance professionals on a retainer basis, custom accounting solutions tailored to business needs as well as comprehensive financial services such as accounting, tax, and advisory.
“We are currently a team of 8 experienced professionals, each specializing in different areas of finance and accounting. As we grow, we are strategically planning to expand our team when the time is right, ensuring we maintain the highest level of service excellence for our clients.
“This journey has been about trusting the process, taking risks, and walking in alignment with my purpose.”
Adapting to Changing Trends
The business landscape has evolved significantly since Mlangeni and Associates started operating and Ketsa has had to adjust how he runs his business to remain relevant and keep up with changing trends.
“There is a huge rise in terms of demand for accountants and professional accountants. If a business truly wants to extract real value from their accountant, they need to get them deeply involved in decision-making, not just handling transactional bookkeeping.
“A CA(SA) is not just a bookkeeper, we are strategic partners who help businesses navigate financial complexities, optimize cash flow, and drive profitability.
“Businesses are no longer just looking for number crunchers—they need financial strategists who can help them make better business decisions. The cost of maintaining in-house finance teams has become unsustainable, leading to the rise of outsourced accounting solutions.”
“By staying ahead of market trends, leveraging technology, and offering scalable financial solutions, we ensure that our clients get the maximum value from their accounting services not just compliance, but strategic financial growth,” explains Ketsa.
Positive Mindset
While Ketsa admits to facing many challenges as an entrepreneur over the years, he singles out a raging battle within himself during the company’s formative years as the biggest obstacle.
“I have faced numerous challenges, but the biggest battle in the early days was within myself. I had to ground myself and let go of everything that could hinder my success in business self-doubt, fear, insecurity, and indecisiveness.
“These are the silent killers of progress, and if you do not actively replace them with confidence, discipline, and resilience, they will hold you back.”
With Ketsa at the helm, Mlangeni and Associates will continue to soar higher.
“The most important takeaway from my journey is that your business as an entrepreneur is limited by your mindset. If you don’t believe in your business, it will manifest in reality your self-doubt will be reflected in how you operate, in the way you handle setbacks, and in how you approach opportunities.
“Once I fully believed in myself and my vision, my business started growing in alignment with that belief. The lesson here is that you must cultivate unwavering belief in your vision, be proactive in your growth, and eliminate all mental and emotional roadblocks that can slow you down. Business is a mental game first, and once you master your mind, success follows,” says Ketsa.
