In a world where businesses have trouble tracking their finances, reliable accounts are non-negotiable. This week’s founder focus will highlight Petro Olivier’s journey in opening and running Niche Accounting & Taxation Consultancy.
When Petro Olivier founded Niche Accounting & Taxation Consultancy in September 2017, she was looking for flexibility that would allow her to be present for her children, while also pursuing a more fulfiling and purposeful career.
“I felt dissatisfied in my role at the time and knew I was capable of building something more meaningful, something that aligned with both my professional skills and personal values,” says Olivier.
From Only Two Clients to Boutique Accounting and Taxation
Niche Accounting began very modestly. “I was the only employee, working on an hourly basis for just two clients,” Olivier remembers. In the early days of the business, automation wasn’t as accessible as it is now. Everything was tracked on Excel spreadsheets. This includes client information, deadlines, and compliance dates.
Over time, as the client base grew, so did the need for structure, systems, and scalability. Today, Niche Accounting has grown into a boutique accounting and taxation consultancy with five staff members, supported by a fully integrated CRM system and professional accounting and payroll software.
What started as a need for flexibility has grown into a thriving business that is VAT registered, tax compliant, and steadily expanding. According to the founder, “Niche Accounting is more than a firm; it represents a journey of growth, resilience, and constant evolution. Each milestone has shaped not only the business, but also my vision for building a sustainable legacy rooted in integrity and value.”
Accounting for SMEs
At Niche Accounting, support begins with understanding. Petro takes time to truly get to know each client and their business by asking the right questions and gaining insight into their goals, challenges, and operations.
“The advice we provide is practical, honest, and grounded in experience, often based on strategies and systems I have implemented in my own business or would confidently apply myself,” she shares.
Olivier explains that her relationships with clients can get personal as finances are a deeply personal aspect of our lives, but advice remains professional and objective. Her business is driven by integrity, collaboration, and transparency, which are essential to long-term success. By setting clear expectations, providing factual guidance, and explaining the reasoning behind her advice, clients feel supported without compromising professional standards.
“Our boutique approach allows us to deliver high-quality, personalised service while remaining firmly anchored in ethical and objective decision-making,” Olivier explains.
The Growth of Niche Accounting
Since the business started in 2017, Niche Accounting has experienced incredible milestones. “One of the most rewarding milestones has been growing Niche Accounting into a fully compliant, sustainable business, VAT registered, consistently paying income tax, and operating with strong systems and controls,” Olivier notes.
The business has gone through various phases, seeing the small practice evolve into a firm with a competent team, which has been a fulfilling experience for its founder.
“An equally rewarding milestone has been witnessing our clients achieve stability and growth. Helping businesses move from being overwhelmed by compliance to becoming confident, informed decision-makers. This is at the heart of what we do”.
However, Olivier says that one of the biggest challenges has been guiding SMEs through compliance in an environment that is often complex and intimidating. This has shaped their approach to be education-driven, proactive, and supportive, ensuring that clients are not just compliant but empowered.
What the Client Journey Looks Like
For clients engaging Niche Accounting, the process begins with a detailed needs analysis. This allows the team to understand the business, identify challenges, and clarify objectives before recommending services.
Based on this assessment, Niche Accounting presents a clear proposal outlining processes, expectations, and deliverables. Once accepted, an engagement letter is issued, and onboarding begins.
Onboarding includes collecting all required information, registering clients on accounting and payroll software, transferring eFiling profiles, and ensuring that all tax and compliance registrations are in place.
“Ongoing support includes monthly accounting, payroll processing, reporting, and proactive communication around due dates and compliance requirements. To support long-term growth, we work closely with clients by providing professional advice, ensuring tax and CIPC compliance, assisting with goal-setting, and offering insights that enable better financial decision-making,” Olivier explains.
Strengthening South Africa’s SME Ecosystem
At the heart of Niche Accounting’s mission is empowerment. Olivier has seen firsthand how a lack of financial understanding can limit business growth and how clarity can transform decision-making.
“Understanding your numbers can be life-changing,” she says. “Your financials tell the story of your business, and when you can interpret that story, you gain confidence and control.”
SMEs play a critical role in South Africa’s economy by creating employment and contributing to economic resilience. By helping businesses remain compliant, profitable, and sustainable, Niche Accounting plays a small yet meaningful role in strengthening the broader SME ecosystem.
“We see ourselves as partners in growth, not just accountants. Through honest business dealings, exceptional service, and a strong network of trusted partners across disciplines such as legal, HR, and IT, we provide holistic support. Our vision is a thriving SME ecosystem where businesses grow together through trust, collaboration, and shared success”.
The Future of Niche Accounting
Over the next five to ten years, Olivier aims to expand Niche Accounting into a leading boutique accounting and taxation firm. This includes offering advanced advisory services such as virtual CFO support and establishing a dedicated tax department.
“We aim to grow our client base with businesses that value partnership, integrity, and the value we add, clients who operate ethically and structure their tax affairs responsibly within the law. Ultimately, I want Niche to be known for excellence, trust, and meaningful impact within the SME space,” she explains.
A Message for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Reflecting on her journey, Olivier identifies commitment and perseverance as the defining qualities that carried her through challenging seasons.
“Entrepreneurship requires stepping out of your comfort zone, showing up consistently, and remaining disciplined, even when progress feels slow,” she says.
Planning, consistency, and the courage to keep going, especially when it’s hard, are what build sustainable businesses. At Niche Accounting, faithful stewardship, integrity, and persistence are seen as foundations not only for profit but for lasting success.
