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Charteris & Barnes is an independent accounting and business consulting firm with offices in East London, King Williams Town, Queenstown and Port Alfred.
With eight Chartered Accountant partners, 200 staff members and more than 3000 clients, we take a personal interest in the growth of our clients’ businesses. It is our mission to be a partner in your success. If you are passionate about making a positive difference to somebody’s business, contact us today.
Attention to detail. Personal service. When you choose Charteris & Barnes for your business consulting needs, you are assured of the best service and support that a large, independent accounting firm can offer:
- Personal attention
- Competitive fee structure
- A large pool of experts close to home
- The benefits of experience gained from a diversified client base
- A win-win partnership
About Us
Local pride | International best practice | Nearly a century’s experience.
Charteris & Barnes is a home-grown, independent Eastern Cape accounting and business consulting firm. The original firm, Sampson, Ryder & Co, was established in Queenstown in 1928.
In 1990, Charteris & Barnes opened an office in East London. Now, three decades later, we have grown into one of the leading independent firms in the country with offices in Port Alfred, King William’s Town, Queenstown and East London.
This network of local offices ensures our clients in each region have access to experts with a deep understanding of local needs. This includes advisory services in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.
As a proactive, forward-thinking firm, we help our clients stay current with the latest technology.
We use and recommend Xero Accounting Software above all others.
As a Xero Platinum Partner, we are better suited to providing in-depth, technical Xero support to our clients.
Our Xero Services include:
Advising on whether your business is suited to Xero
Setting up Xero correctly
Migrating your business’s data into Xero
Training the business and its staff on how to integrate Xero into their processes
Advising on the range of Xero add-ons and which applications work best with Xero
Keeping users up to date with Xero’s latest developments and feature releases
We are
focussed on
ADDING VALUE
Relationships
The foundation of all work done for our clients starts with a personal relationship with each and every client.
Driven
We are driven, proactive, and focused on the future of our clients. But we do it NOW. From there, our positioning statement:
the future - now
Growth
We work with our clients to help them grow and develop.
Advice
Our company is managed by forward thinking leaders with a vision. We firmly believe that every client is entitled to base their decisions on accurate information, along with having sound and effective advice.
Informed
We pride ourselves on delivering accurate and relevant information to our clients when and how they need it.
Proactive
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Anticipating any potential problems, creatively offering timely solutions.
Our PEOPLE and CULTURE
At Charteris & Barnes every team member delivers exceptional service characterised by a positive attitude, current knowledge and a passion for their work.
This is achieved through continuous training, and by equipping our people with the latest technology and focusing on procedures and methods to enhance the speed and quality of work.
People are our biggest asset and therefore we believe that the team’s strength is determined by the quality of the people we train and employ. Members of the Charteris & Barnes team are self-motivated, positive and pro-active people with a healthy balance between work, family and other personal interests.
Charteris & Barnes strives to maintain a pleasant working environment where each person can reach their full potential as an individual and as a team member. All partners have an open-door policy for every individual within the group.
Partners
At Charteris & Barnes, our partners are Chartered Accountants who specialise in local needs. Our partners are dedicated to providing the best accounting, tax and business advisory services to our clients.
Charteris & Barnes guarantees professional service and personal attention and provides opportunities for the previously disadvantaged.
Naas Wait
Naas Wait
BCom, CTA, CA(SA)
Naas has been a partner in our King William’s Town office since 2000.
After graduating from the University of Port Elizabeth in 1993, Naas completed his training contract at the King William’s Town office before qualifying as Chartered Accountant in 1997. He focuses on private sector accounting, auditing, taxation and public sector advisory.
Naas is the Managing Partner of Charteris & Barnes and is situated in East London.
Naas is a sports fan and loves music.
Gary McLean
Gary McLean
BAcc, CA(SA)
Gary Mclean has been a partner in our East London Office since 2009.
After graduating from Rhodes University in 2001, Gary completed his articles in our East London branch, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant at the end of 2004.
Subsequently, he worked as a financial controller for Deutsche Bank in Liverpool Street, London and more recently for the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Gary’s main focus is private sector accounting, auditing and consulting.
When he is not in the office, you’ll find him travelling or playing hockey, cricket and golf.
Rino Nepgen
Rino Nepgen
BCom (Hons), PGrad Dip (Law), CA(SA)
Rino Nepgen has been a partner in our King William’s Town office since 2014.
After graduating from NMMU in 2004, he completed his articles in the East London office between 2005 and 2007.
He first worked as a manager and later as an associate in our East London office, specialising mainly in tax matters, before being offered a partnership in our King William’s Town office.
Rino’s main focus is private sector consulting and tax-related matters and in this capacity represents the firm and the SAICA Border region on various tax-related committees.
Rino is a Rotarian and a keen runner in his spare time.
Laurene Mokawem
Laurene Mokawem
BAcc, CA(SA)
Laurene has been a partner in our Queenstown office since 2010.
After graduating from the University of the Free State in 2004, she completed her articles at our Queenstown office, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant at the beginning of 2008.
Laurene’s focus is private sector accounting, auditing and taxation.
Her interests include running, tennis and travelling.
Francois Nel
Francois Nel
BComm (Rat), BComm Hons, CA(SA)
Francois Nel has been a partner at our East London Office since March 2020.
After graduating from NMMU in 2005, he completed his articles at our Queenstown branch and qualified as a Chartered Accountant at the beginning of 2009. From 2010 onwards, he moved to our East London office, where he has since gained extensive experience in public sector auditing and advisory services.
His main focus includes business process design, public sector advisory and private & public sector auditing. He also manages the public sector staffing & internal auditing assignments.
He has gained valuable experience in auditing and advisory capacities, which has given him an extensive skill set.
His other interests include ICT and spending quality time with his family.
Craig Schenk
Craig Schenk
BCompt, MBA, Professional Accountant (SA)
Craig has been a partner at our East London office since March 2020.
Craig joined the firm back in 1996 as an articled clerk and has accumulated 24 years of experience in the advisory, audit and accounting sector, including 2 years experience in the United Kingdom.
Craig currently heads our advisory division which covers the Eastern Cape and he has accumulated over 15 years of in-depth knowledge in the public sector environment.
Craig’s areas of specialisation include business valuations, due diligence, financial forecasting and analysis, fixed asset management (public and private sector), revenue enhancement, CFO support and accounting.
Craig enjoys spending time with his family, travelling, playing golf and is a sports fan.
Solize Coetzer
Solize Coetzer
BAcc (Hons), CA (SA), RA
Solize became a partner at the East London Office in March 2020.
After graduating from the University of the Free State in 2011, Solize completed her first year of traineeship as an academic trainee at the University of the Free State.
She completed her training contract at the East London office in 2014 and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2015. Solize’s areas of speciality are private-sector auditing, accounting, and taxation.
Solize enjoys travelling, playing sport and spending time with her family.
Celia Visser
Celia Visser
Bacc (Hons), CA (SA), RA
Celia became a partner at the Port Alfred office in March 2022.
Celia graduated from the University of the Free State in 2007 and joined the firm at the start of 2008 as an article clerk.
She completed her training contract at the East London office at the end of 2010 and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2011.
Celia transferred to the Port Alfred office at the end of 2012 where she was appointed as a Manager in 2013 and an Associate in 2018.
Celia focuses on private-sector accounting, auditing and taxation.
Her interests include reading, research, art and organisation.
Luxolo Tom
Luxolo Tom
BCom Acc, AGA (SA)
Luxolo became a partner at the East London Office in June 2023.
After graduating from the University of Pretoria in 2008, he completed his articles at our East London office between 2009 and 2012. Since then, he has gained extensive experience in public and private sector environments.
Managing a diverse client base throughout the Eastern Cape, Luxolo’s areas of expertise include accounting and taxation services, assurance, due diligence, financial forecasting and analysis, and funding applications.
Outside the office, you’ll find him spending time with his family or engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking and running in his spare time.
Gerhard Mattheüs
Gerhard Mattheüs
BAcc (Hons) , CA(SA)
Gerhard was appointed as a partner at our Queenstown office in March 2025.
He graduated from the University of the Free State in 2017 and completed his articles at our Queenstown office between 2018 and 2020. Since then, he has gained extensive experience in private-sector environments.
Gerhard specialises in auditing, accounting, and taxation for the private sector.
Outside of work, he enjoys travelling, listening to music, and spending quality time with his family and pets.
Professional Consultants
Gallery
Our firm is associated with The Core Group, an association of independent professionals.
We are independent but practice in association with one another, utilising The Core Service Companies to empower us to render a wide variety of specialised services to local clients.
Although all are associated under The Core Group identity, we remain independent and in control of our own firm regarding ownership and management.
Being Core Associated, we have access to:
126
Branches nationwide
397
Specialists in all areas
1 716
Employees securing capacity
30 058
Content clients
the future - now
Other Affiliates
Your gateway to excellence in professional advisory services.
Driven by knowledge.
Backed by experience.
Power in partnership, strength in unity.
Committed to quality, governed by integrity.
Our Values
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We are leaders in both our industry and our local communities.
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We operate with a sense of urgency and discipline.
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We do the right thing all of the time.
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We are responsible for our impact on the environment.
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We are the owners of our actions and decisions.
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We share our views and ideas openly.
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We are passionate about delivering an exceptional stakeholder experience.
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We are team players in everything we do.
There is a critical need for alignment between personal and organisational values, as mistakes can occur when misalignment exists.
Our Vision
Our VISION defines the way our organisation will look in the FUTURE.
The FUTURE - To be seen and experienced as Globally Trusted Professionals.
Global
Inspires us to grow/expand.
Trusted
Inspires us to build trusting relationships with all our stakeholders based on honesty, efficiency, accountability, and mutual respect.
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Stakeholders
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All entities that can affect or be affected by the organisation's actions, objectives and policies.
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They are our creditors, member firm directors, service company directors, employees, government (and its agencies), owners (shareholders), suppliers, unions, and the community from which the business draws its resources.
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Professional
Inspires all of us to deliver a quality service/product in a manner as defined by our stakeholders.
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It does not refer to professional bodies or professional career types. It relates to HOW we interact with our stakeholders.
Vision is a long-term view describing the goals of the organisation.
Our vision statement helps to drive decisions and goals in our company.
Our Mission
Our MISSION defines our purpose and why we exist.
We CREATE diverse solutions that increase our stakeholders' profits, business value, and personal wealth.
We do this through a single, CORE relationship – NOW.
Create
We develop services through a continuous process, leaving something behind, and are accountable for what we create.
Divers
Many, various, unlimited.
Solutions
Plural, services, answers, actions, products.
Stakeholders
Everybody is affected by our business operations. (suppliers, clients, staff, SARS, the community, etc.)
Single
One.
CORE
Reiterate the brand name, central, nucleus, pivot point.
Relationship
The emotional link between two or more parties.
Our mission statement provides the details of what is done and answers the question:
“How do we do what we do?”.
Our Workplace Behaviour
Working with me (or any of my colleagues) as a firm representative, you can expect the following:
Honesty:
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I do not lie.
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I share my views and ideas without the fear of prejudice and without disrespecting the opinions and rights of others.
Efficiency:
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I stick to deadlines.
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I have a clean and neat desk.
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I return a stakeholder’s call/email/SMS within 24 hours.
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I complete tasks that are allocated to me.
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I prepare properly for formal interactions with stakeholders.
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I proactively follow up on outstanding tasks and assignments.
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I update my skills and knowledge to remain not only relevant but abreast.
Mutual respect for all stakeholders
At the office:
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I am on time.
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I park in my allocated parking space.
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I greet my colleagues.
In meetings:
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I allow others the freedom to express themselves without interrupting them.
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I focus on the agenda at hand and do not communicate with external parties.
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I do not do any other work that is outside the scope of the meeting.
In general:
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I do not use gestures, language, or crude and disrespectful comments.
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I conserve firm and natural resources and limit wastage.
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I dress in a manner that is equal to what is professionally expected by my stakeholders.
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I use proper language when communicating with my stakeholders.
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I use a tone of voice that is acceptable to all my stakeholders.
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I empower and guide. I do not reprimand and belittle stakeholders in public or behind closed doors.
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I do not use intimidating behaviour, like slamming doors and throwing objects.
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I trust my stakeholders. I do not excessively and unreasonably monitor their responsibilities.
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I address a conflict situation with the party concerned in a professional manner that is equal to those above before approaching a third party.
Accountability Statement
I am accountable for all my actions. I will take corrective measures before the deadline if I cannot deliver on my commitment to the Workplace Behaviour Statement.
I will communicate this to the relevant stakeholders within a timeframe that is acceptable to them.
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