Brian Payne

Brian Payne is a founding member at Think Tax, a bespoke tax consulting firm he established around 14 years ago. Reflecting on his journey, he stated, “My career was never planned; it evolved out of circumstances.”

Brian’s journey began in Montclair, south of Durban, where he attended St. Henry’s Marist Brothers, matriculating in 1983. He pursued a bachelor of commerce at the University of Natal, confessing, “Like many, I started BCom because I didn’t really know what else to do.”

Brian’s first job was as a vacation student at Coopers and Lybrand, which later evolved into PwC. He recalled with a smile, “I did whatever odd job I could just to finance my studies.” One of his most memorable experiences was working for a loss assessor during the riots in the 1980s. “We had to count stock in places that had been burned down. They paid quite well – 100 rand a day, which was significant back then,” he noted.

Brian embarked on an accountancy career after securing an article clerk position at Coopers and Lybrand. He shared, “I probably would have been content as a financial accountant if not for the military service requirements at the time.” As an alternative to the army, he chose to work at SARS (South African Revenue Service) for four years but only needed three as the military service requirement was lifted during his tenure. “While I was at SARS, I decided to continue my education, specialising in tax,” Brian explained.

NEW CHALLENGES
His time at SARS laid the groundwork for a significant career change. “I got a phone call from Rob Young at KPMG, inviting me to head up their tax practice in Durban,” Brian recalled. He spent eleven fulfilling years at KPMG, nonetheless, he acknowledged that, as with most roles, the time came when he was prompted to take on a new challenge. This prompt resulted in him relocating to Johannesburg for two years.

His return to Durban, however, was influenced by family needs. “My wife fell pregnant and with a small child on the way, we realised we needed the support of family,” he shared. Once in Durban, he resumed his position at KPMG, heading up the tax department.

SIGNIFICANT THOUGHT
Eventually, Brian transitioned to Ernst & Young for a two-year stint. Yet during this time, a significant thought began to take shape. “I started thinking about my future – how I could work until I was 70 or 75,” he said. With young children to support, he projected his retirement age forward and concluded, “No one’s going to employ me at 70, so I realised I’d need to start my own practice.”

Brian’s idea came with thorough consideration. He spoke to colleagues, seeking their opinions on the feasibility of establishing an independent tax practice. “The response was clear: there was indeed a need, especially as specialised tax work was increasingly centralised in Johannesburg,” he noted. He realised that if he could build sufficient critical mass in Durban, it would be possible to effectively service the KwaZulu-Natal market.

Brian’s current role involves handling corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals who are forming trusts or needing offshore tax advice. “My expertise lies in blending accounting knowledge with tax law, creating a unique perspective,” he said, adding that he feels most comfortable tackling complex balance sheets.

An additional role is motivating his team, Brian distinguishes between the consultants at Think Tax and those in compliance. “Consultants are motivated by the technical challenges of their work, so keeping them engaged isn’t difficult,” he explained. For those in the compliance space, where the stress of tax filing deadlines is immense, his approach is more supportive. “I’m there as a sounding board and make myself available, even if it’s late at night during filing season. It’s about reassuring them that missing one deadline isn’t the end of the world; we’ll fix it,” he said.

PERSONAL MILESTONE
Brian is proud of his career but highlighted a personal milestone as his greatest achievement. “It might sound clichéd, but getting my wife to agree to marry me after seven years was my biggest success,” he shared, half-jokingly referring to it as “perseverance” rather than what would now be called “stalking”. This union, he reflected, brought him the most happiness.

The most valuable piece of advice Brian ever received came from his late brother. “He said, ‘Always work with people who are brighter than you,’ and it’s stuck with me ever since,” Brian reflected. “It taught me not to fear working alongside or hiring people who outshone me,” he explained.

The most significant challenge in Brian’s life also came with the passing of his brother. “He was charismatic, the kind of person who could light up a room,” Brian said with a touch of melancholy. “His death made me realise that we spend a lot of time treading water and doing little when we only have a finite amount of time. It pushed me to make the most of every day.”

Finding inspiration is multifaceted for Brian. He recently read Oscar Chalupsky’s book, admiring the author’s resilience in the face of illness. “Anyone who achieves excellence and shows how hard they had to work to get there inspires me,” he added.

Reflecting on the challenges KwaZulu-Natal has faced, Brian said, “We’ve been through floods, an uprising, and Covid – all almost biblical in scale.” However, he remains optimistic. “If we can have a period without major setbacks, I believe this province can thrive. We have the talent,” he emphasised. Encouragingly, he noted, “I’ve spoken to many who now have a positive outlook about staying in KwaZulu-Natal. It’s a hopeful sign.”

In his son’s bedroom hangs a picture that sums up Brian’s philosophy. “It asks, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ and answers, ‘Be kind,’” he shared. This simple message, according to Brian, guides his interactions, “Kindness, even in business, brings back happiness in unexpected ways.”