Christiaan Coetzee, 35, is combining accounting expertise with technology to reshape the audit profession. As chief executive of The Audit Toolbar, he leads the development of software that supports small and medium-sized audit firms in South Africa, across Africa, the United Kingdom and other international markets. A qualified chartered accountant (SA), Coetzee has built a technology business that has attracted European venture capital while showcasing South African innovation on the global stage. Coetzee says he would reassure his younger self that persistence pays off, encouraging him to keep working hard without becoming overwhelmed by uncertainty. Rather than identifying a single mentor, Coetzee credits the teachers, managers, colleagues and clients who have shared their knowledge throughout his career.