Keri Ulrich is the newly appointed Treasurer of Safrea. She is an accountant based in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape and owns a business called Caleo Accounting and Tax Solutions (Pty) Ltd. Keri offers accounting and taxation services to a variety of clients – from small businesses to corporates.

What does a day in your life look like?
It depends on where we are in the year, and what deadlines are looming. A typical day could involve:

• Meetings with prospective clients;
• Meetings with clients to go through their financials, tax information, or advising them on ways to improve their businesses financially;
• Reviewing work completed by my staff before we submit it to our clients;
• Working on certain clients’ books at their premises.

Where/how do you find inspiration?

Music inspires me. It feeds my soul.

What advice do you have for freelancers?

Don’t go at it alone when it comes to accounting and tax, it may cost you in the end. Stay compliant in terms of the Receiver of Revenue: Pay your taxes. Save at least 20% of your income for your taxes, or a rainy day. Keep your slips! Make sure you have a good relationship with your accountant.

How did you get involved with Safrea?

I belong to BNI (Business Networking International), a networking organisation for small to medium-sized businesses. I was approached by Lynne Gadd-Claxton (previous Chair of Safrea’s Eastern Cape region) to take up the role of Treasurer at Safrea.

What is your work/life motto?

Don’t work hard, work smart.

What is the typical service you can render to assist freelancers in managing their finances effectively?

I always say to my entrepreneurial clients, “You stay in your lane, and I’ll stay in mine.” At Caleo, we are experts in all accounting and tax-related matters. We can assist freelancers to maximise their expense deductions by identifying costs that can be deducted from their gross income, which will ensure that they pay the least amount of tax, legally.

We believe in building good, long-term relationships with our clients. In doing this, we get a better understanding of our clients’ needs and expectations, and work hard to achieve these.

Get to know Keri and her business better here – Facebook and LinkedIn