The term ‘business consulting’ has evolved over the past few decades. Once accepted as a tool to help companies become more effective, efficient and successful in their strategies, it is now being used as a part of effective auditing. For this reason Avhashoni Ramikosi is excited to be a part of SekelaXabiso (SkX).

Ramikosi is a director at SkX and the head of the firm’s business consulting unit. He leads a team of experts who focus on financial management, asset management solutions, performance improvement and supply chain solutions. His arrival comes at a time when the company is moving up a gear to achieve its ‘Vision 20/20’ objective to be a R1 billion organisation by 2020. That’s in less than six years.

Ramikosi’s CV and work experience is testament to his achievements. He has been in the auditing profession for the last 18 years. Ramikosi is a chartered accountant with a wealth of experience in auditing, financial reporting, internal auditing, tax advisory, structured and project finance, operations, performance, people, project and risk management and has worked at PwC, RAD Investment Bank, Standard Bank and the South African Revenue Service on various occasions.

Ramikosi has also demonstrated strong leadership and organisational qualities as the national president of the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa (ABASA) from 2004–2006. He has served on various committees at ABASA, Business Unity South Africa, the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants and the University of Limpopo as a board and audit committee member. His achievements are inspiring, as is his growth strategy for his unit.

‘SekelaXabiso has the specialist expertise, experience and capacity to assist clients on their journey to continuously improve their performance – and sustain it.

‘My biggest priority currently is to ease our clients into the transition of having me look over their accounts, maintain and improve our service levels, bring in new business and develop my existing team while also bringing new blood into the establishment,’ he says.

Ramikosi’s goals for business consulting are aligned to SkX’s overall aims as a company. Business consulting is one of the organisation’s largest and best-performing units. SkX’s leadership team, including the CEO Lindani Dhlamini and Abel Dlamini, the executive chairperson, anticipate great achievements from the unit.

While Ramikosi focuses on his new unit, Given Sibiya, director of SkX’s internal audit division, has been the force behind a department that helped establish SkX as ‘the big name in internal auditing’.

Sibiya is a qualified chartered accountant, and has BCom and BAcc degrees, as well as a postgraduate diploma in accounting. Since joining SkX as a director in 2008, her extensive experience in external and internal auditing, risk management, management consulting and forensic services has helped establish the company’s internal audit division as a leader in the profession.

She says internal auditing demands effective risk management, good corporate governance and internal controls. These ensure quality internal audit assurance and consulting services.

‘Internal audit requires the highest levels of competency, professionalism and competitive skills and that is why SkX invests in the continuous upskilling of our employees,’ she says.

‘The IIA SA [Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa] has recognised our training and development programmes as the best in the industry and this is not only necessary for our clients but for our employees as well. You deliver the best when you have been trained by the best.’

SkX works with both the public and private sectors and its select clientele include Transnet, Tshwane University of Technology, the Bokamoso Trust, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Exxaro, Royal Bafokeng Holdings, EOH Consulting, Denel, the Auditor-General, Eskom and the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

1st Floor Building 22B
The Woodlands Office Park
20 Woodlands Drive, Woodmead, 2191
Tel: +27 (0)11 802 4155
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www.sekelaxabiso.co.za