Welcome
to an extraordinary website
hosted by a remarkable firm.
A friend told me I'm delusional for saying I moved my books to the cloud.
I almost fell off my Unicorn.
Cloud accounting solutions that are easily accessible, anywhere, at any time. Our AI and Machine Learning algorithms handle repetitive tasks, such as capturing bills and reconciling transactions.
At Unicorn Cloud Accounting, we bypass traditional accounting methods by introducing digital, cloud-based technology.
With a modernised approach to accounting, we provide a weekly schedule for accounting records, bank reconciliations, debtors and creditors, and other accounting facets.
With this offering, clients can accurately see and forecast their financial performance, enabling them to take prompt action where and when needed.
About Us
Unicorn Cloud Accounting originated from Nel & Vennote, a traditional accounting and auditing firm established in 1994.
Our History
Unicorn Cloud Accounting originated from Nel & Vennote, a traditional accounting and auditing firm established in 1994. Nel & Vennote started as a family-owned business by father Pierre Nel (Sr) and three brothers, Kobus, Pieter and Pierre. In 2009, Nel & Vennote began seeing the benefits of emerging technologies hitting the market and became one of the very first paperless accounting firms in South Africa. After this, our love for technology only grew, and a few years later, in 2016, we became an Xero Partner.
Pierre saw that his clients needed a new model of collaboration, which was introduced as Digital Accounting. By letting go of traditional accounting models and practices and moving to a fully digital model, Pierre founded Unicorn Cloud Accounting in October 2018.
Now based in Upington in the Northern Cape, Unicorn is the sister company of Xero Partner of the Year 2020, and is ready to help you grow your business.
Everything’s better with a unicorn.
Unicorn Cloud Accounting makes life better and easier for our clients.
So why should you consider Unicorn as your accounting partner?
Expertise
We are experts in cloud accounting solutions. With our staff trained and certified in all the software we use, and a founder with a qualification specialising in Digital Transformation from MIT, covering IoT and AI, Cloud Technology, Blockchain, and Cyber Security, you are in the right hands.
Save Time
With software that is easy to use and accessible from anywhere, we repay our clients in the time they save. After partnering with Unicorn Cloud Accounting, you will be given a chance to get to those tasks that once seemed nearly impossible.
Proven Results
Our processes and systems have been tested against traditional accounting methods and have proven more productive and reliable for future cash flow forecasting.
Compliance
We ensure our clients comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including VAT, PAYE, SDL, UIF, and WCA.
Cloud Accounting
Cloud accounting enables accountants, bookkeepers, and business owners to easily upload data and access records from any location and device.
With cloud-based technology, keeping your records up to date is quick and straightforward, providing accurate, current data for decision-making.
Creating an Ecosystem
At Unicorn, we have developed a well-integrated ecosystem that enables you to integrate your financial functions and myriad solutions across your business.
Xero is the accounting software we use as the central pillar of our ecosystem. It integrates with over 1,000 applications, including the six we predominantly use: Practice Ignition, Dext, SimplePay, Smartsheet, Approval Max, and an in-house application for calculating interest on overdue amounts.
Our ecosystem was designed for small business owners. We identified the most time-consuming areas within these businesses and simplified them with cloud solutions. That, in turn, allows our clients to focus on growing their businesses.
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 Team
At the heart of our firm is a dedicated team to guide clients and colleagues with vision, integrity, and expertise.
They bring together years of experience, diverse skills, and a shared commitment to excellence.
Directors
With strong leadership, we continue to build a culture of trust, innovation, and accountability - ensuring that every decision we make supports both the long-term growth of our clients and the sustainable success of our firm.
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
Our Partners
As a Xero Partner of the Year 2020, we are proud to have partnered with the most reliable cloud-based accounting solution available today, enabling us to guarantee accurate and trustworthy data recording.
Xero
Xero is an online accounting software platform designed for small and growing businesses.
It offers bank feeds, automatic transaction reconciliation, invoicing, receipt capture and real-time dashboards - all accessible via web or mobile. Its South African version supports local banks (e.g., Nedbank) and complies with SARS requirements (e.g., VAT returns).
SimplePay
SimplePay is a cloud-based payroll and HR software built for South African businesses. It automates employee payslips, leave tracking, tax calculations (PAYE, UIF, SDL), and monthly statutory reporting, and supports integration with accounting systems like Xero and QuickBooks.
Ignition
Ignition is a client-engagement and billing automation platform tailored for professional services (especially accountants and bookkeepers). It enables branded proposals, automated billing (hourly, recurring, one-time), payment collection, and integrates with accounting software like Xero and QuickBooks.
While originally Australian-based, it has a local presence in South Africa (Cape Town office) as of 2020.
Dext
Dext is an expense-and-receipt capture and bookkeeping automation tool. Users can upload receipts via camera, email or drag-and-drop; Dext uses OCR and AI to extract data, auto-categorise transactions, and sync with accounting software. There is availability via the South African marketplace (e.g., via Sage South Africa).
ApprovalMax
ApprovalMax is a workflow automation tool for accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR) approvals, designed to integrate with accounting platforms like Xero. It facilitates automated multi-step approval workflows (purchase orders, bills, credit notes), enhances control and governance, and is available in the Xero App Store for the South Africa region.
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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