I started at SARS on 1 February 1992 as a registration clerk where my main function was to register new taxpayers. After a year I moved to the cash office division where I did receipting of payments, issuing liquor licences etc. Within 3 months I moved to the Tracing Division, thereafter to Salary assessments and eventually to Business and Trust assessments.

In 1998 I transferred to the Umlazi branch to become Team Leader over the whole Salary and Business Assessment section. In 1999 I was requested to present 1 Farming Tax seminar at the SARS Training Division in Durban and never left there. I continued to present all low and high level tax presentations. I was also involved in compiling tax presentations material and assisted SARS Head Office on occasion in compiling lecture materials on new legislation to ensure that all staff country wide is trained in their field of expertise. Training required travelling too various centres country wide when required to assist in compilation or training. Received a few Star Performer awards.

In 2003 my partner asked me to start a tax business as he felt that I have the necessary expertise and drive. I was very sceptical and ignored it. I went for various interviews in SARS for higher positions and was always shortlisted to the final stage but due too certain protocols was never successful.

I ignored the proposal to open a business until I arrived at work one morning and my manager approached me to say that she is sorry to hear that I am leave. I found out that my partner contacted her and advised that I will be tendering my resignation. I left SARS on 31 December 2003 and opened Worldwide Tax Solutions on 1 January 2004 working in our dining room with merely a desk, chair and stationery. I had 1 client on the books. The word spread specifically throughout the expatriate industry and we started growing fast. We felt that there was a demand in the tax industry specifically in the expatriate side as I was involved in intense training of this section in SARS

We eventually converted our garage into offices but within 6 months we moved to an office block as the demand for our services increased that we had to start employing staff.

During the month of January 2004 I was approached by a professor that I use to deal with at SARS, (he was in charge of the whole tax training division at Potchefstroom University) asking me if I am interested to lecture all Certificate in Tax and Advance Certificate in Tax course for the Institute throughout South Africa. Meaning I will lecture in varies centres every Thursday to Saturday. I took on this challenge whilst growing our business and did it for 4 years. I was the sole lecturer doing this as well as assisting in moderating exam papers for HD Tax (Local and International). My class sizes varied from minimum 200 students up

I was also doing my Higher Diploma Taxation (Local and International) in 2004 and completed it Cum Laude for which I was handed my award by Pravin Gordhan who was the Commissioner of SARS at that time.

I then moved on to study a Masters of Science in Taxation at the University of New South Wales in Australian to have an international tax qualification. This I completed in 2009/2010

We keep abreast with new and current legislation by weekly or monthly attending online seminars and abiding by the various Tax and Accounting institutes we are registered at requirements to obtain our relevant CPD points to keep our qualifications. I have completed various certificates, diplomas and degrees. I am a qualified registered accountant and Master Tax Practitioner.

Mission Statement
⦁ To administer and enforce laws of taxation within South Africa and internationally;
⦁ To advice and consult on matters of taxation;
⦁ To render quality Accountancy Services;
⦁ To Register Close Corporations
⦁ To promote a professional image and voluntary compliance within the law
⦁ To aspire to high standards of client service that is efficient and transparent
We aspire to be a company that is
⦁ Focused
⦁ Dynamic
⦁ Well integrated
⦁ Flexible
⦁ Accountable
⦁ Proud
⦁ Motivated
⦁ Skilled and professional

Worldwide Tax Solutions is a highly professional close corporation that focuses on the needs of clients and in the application of the relevant tax and accounting laws both locally and internationally. We deal with all accounting and tax related issues pertaining to local individuals and companies, expatriates, offshore oil industry personnel, commercial divers, offshore riggers and both local and foreign going seamen.
We focus on all accounting and tax issues pertaining to individuals, close corporation, insolvent estates, deceased estates, Trusts, companies, public benefit organisation, emigrations, etc. We offer presentation to individuals and companies on the "Education of Taxes" and "Soft Skills" ranging from self-development to strategic management. Our personnel have extensive operation knowledge on UK, Australia and Canada taxation system.
As my husband and business partner is involved in the offshore industry he is in charge of our company marketing

We have grown our company in SA to now have our own premises with 8 staff members that always provide the highest level of expertise, support and knowledge to our clients. This has now allowed me to let the office grow with the current staff and take our business internationally. I am currently residing in the UK to set up a similar business here.

With the knowledge we have obtained throughout the years of our business, courses attended etc. we are able to assist clients with most countries tax queries or assist in submissions etc.

As I am also a qualified Coach, Mentor, Facilitator, Assessor and Moderator in Education we also provide assistant to clients that require in this field

We don’t just specialise in Expatriates. We are a fully functional tax and accounting office in all industries. We compile management accounts, AFS, VAT, Paye etc reports for clients in a broad aspect of industries i.e. Forensic Investigators, Restaurants, Constructions, Consultants, Doctors etc

As many of our expatriate clients work abroad and not always available to attend to queries etc, we provide a service to minimise stress from them by dealing with any form of query or audit from SARS. We ensure that prior to any tax submission, we have obtained all possible documentation from a client pertaining to his annual tax affairs so that if we do have audits etc we are able to deal with it without putting an additional burden or stress on our clients.

Due to various laws pertaining to the offshore industry we have on many occasions manage to assist clients or future clients in managing their exemption requirements to obtain the best financial benefit and stress free tax submissions. Keeping them and sars happy

We provide a service to our client that allows them to contact us at anytime to get support and guidance on any tax or financial affairs.

We are more than a one-stop shop. We deal or guide with any world wide tax related queries as much as we can. We will assist the client through going 200% to ensure that his query is dealt with adequately, professional and that they are happy

We believe that all persons, whether company or individual has the right to be able to plan their financial affairs in such a way that they also enjoy the fruits of their labour. We provide a HIGHLY professional service at a very reasonable rate in comparison to various other firms. We have even been asked if we sure our invoices are correct as the rates seem to low.

We provide a quotation prior doing work to our clients so that there are no unnecessary surprises.

Our office premises are very secure with the necessary alarms and security as well as we have 2 storage facilities at a private location to store all our client’s documents safely for the required periods stipulated by law.

We have made our office premises family friendly, and if a client has an appointment but has children, we have set up a play area with trampoline and jungle gym for the children to play under.

I am currently in the UK as mentioned where we are looking at properly setting up offices. As I am here now I also attend to SA clients UK affairs. As our business is worldwide and with the excellent technology available we are able to assist any person anywhere in the world via email, dropbox etc.

My advise to any woman that wants to enter the business world:-
⦁ Unpack your fears, then conquer them. We all have fears that we won’t succeed or we aren’t good enough for what we want to do. We always think that having a family and raising children will reflect negatively on our commitment to our careers. Get rid of those fears. If you are positive and portray a positive successful image all your fears will disappear and all that will happen is that you will be successful in all you do.
⦁ Success doesn’t just happen. It takes hard work and dedication.
⦁ If you don’t know where to start then get a mentor and put yourself out there. Promote yourself and vouch for your own abilities through the work you do
⦁ Stand your ground and show your strengths. Woman ask questions, use facts and emotions in decision making and favour collaboration. These are very good traits as they are needed for building dynamic teams so you can lead them to success.
⦁ You need to have mental discipline and continuously strive to improve yourself.
⦁ Focusing only on the business at hand will help solve problems and bring lasting valuable solutions.

For anyone that wants to become an accountant or tax consultant. Don’t think this work is a scape goat. It takes hard work, dedication, perseverance, a friendly attitude and helpfulness to succeed.

My ultimate aim is to do a MBA in International Taxation and possibly one day attend an international tax conference or similar conference at the IMF

We don’t regard the people working for us as employees, they are my family. We don’t believe in all work. We make time to play and have fun. We ensure that there are regularly opportunities to allow are staff to unwind and just release their stress. We found that our relationship with each other is very strong and open. WORK HARD PLAY HARD.

We are a small business but we believe in taking care of our clients and ensure that they also abide by all the relevant SARS rules.

Name of Owner: Teresa Seaton
Name of Company: Worldwide Tax Solutions
Area: Kloof, KwaZulu Natal
Phone Number:031 767 3430 or 031 031 764 2889
Cell Number: 083 303 4974
Email Address: teresa@worldwidetax.co.uk
Website: www.worldwidetax.co.uk