Lornelle Jonas
Unlocking the Power of Cloud Accounting: A Conversation with Lornelle Jonas
In the 6th episode of the SAICA Biz Impact Podcast, we were thrilled to welcome Lornelle Jonas, the founder and managing director of Elique Advisory. Lornelle's story is one of resilience, innovation, and leadership in the accounting space, particularly with her firm's groundbreaking partnership with Xero, the cloud-based accounting software that has transformed the South African business landscape.
Lornelle Jonas is no stranger to accolades. A 40 Under 40 Award winner and recipient of the Emerging Firm of the Year Award at the Xero Awards, she leads Elique Advisory with a vision of making financial services accessible to SMEs while promoting sustainability through financial education. Her firm is also recognized as the only female-owned Platinum Partner of Xero in South Africa, a testament to her influence in the industry.
During the interview, Lornelle shared insights into her journey with Xero, which began in the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020. "It was just me, myself, and I sitting at my dining room table during COVID," she recalls, reflecting on how her passion for technology led her to Xero. She highlighted how the platform enabled her to efficiently manage her clients and grow her business through cloud-based solutions. By August 2022, her firm had become a Xero Platinum Partner, an achievement Lornelle described as being about more than just numbers. "It's about being an industry leader, running digital practices, and engaging as a thought leader," she said
One of the key takeaways from the interview was Lornelle's emphasis on how Xero empowers SMEs. "Xero is not made for accountants, it’s made for the end-user, the business owner," she explains, citing examples of how the software helps automate processes for a wide range of businesses—from photographers to professional service firms. Lornelle also discussed the importance of educating clients about the benefits of cloud accounting and how it can streamline operations, increase transparency, and provide real-time access to financial data
Her story is not just about technology but about building a sustainable and client-centered practice. She shared how her firm offers masterclasses to educate SMEs on financial management and the use of Xero. "It's not just about providing a service but adding value and empowering business owners to take control of their finances," she said
As a leader in the cloud accounting space, Lornelle also highlighted Xero’s dedication to supporting both small businesses and accountants. "Xero is really passionate about small business and tech and how it can make us more efficient," she stated, adding that Xero's Partner Program provides resources and support to help firms like Illik Advisory thrive
In closing, Lornelle's message to SMEs and accountants was clear: embrace technology, educate your clients, and understand the products you use. With platforms like Xero, businesses can not only survive but thrive in today’s fast-paced digital world.