Rowan Malherbe is the Principal of BDO Academy and brings over 23 years of experience in external audit, professional training and academic lecturing. His career spans both smaller audit practices and Big 4 firms, giving him a well rounded perspective of the profession, from highly technical audit environments to broader commercial and advisory contexts. This depth of experience allows him to combine academic rigour with practical business understanding in a way that is both credible and relevant.
Before joining BDO, Rowan founded and led a professional training company specialising in ACCA tuition. Under his leadership, the business achieved ACCA Gold Approved Learning Partner status, reflecting a strong track record in delivering high quality, results driven education and supporting candidates through advanced professional qualifications.
He joined BDO in 2018 as Audit Technical Training Manager, where he was responsible for training audit staff on audit methodology, technical standards and professional judgement. This role provided him with deep exposure to firm wide learning needs, quality management requirements and the practical challenges faced by trainees and professionals in a fast paced audit environment.
In July 2025, Rowan established BDO Academy with the vision of creating a structured, high impact learning environment that bridges technical excellence with practical application. As Principal, he oversees the Academy’s strategic direction, academic quality and delivery of professional training programmes, with a strong focus on audit, financial reporting and professional qualifications.
His expertise spans financial accounting, management accounting and auditing, supported by experience lecturing at university level. He is deeply committed to developing professionals who are technically strong, commercially aware, ethically grounded and confident in applying their knowledge in real world situations.
Dr Vianca Pretorious is a Chartered Accountant whose experience spans both public interest entities and privately held businesses across the insurance, retail, commodity and legal sectors. Her profile reflects a strong combination of technical depth, professional leadership and commercial insight, shaped by years of working in complex and highly regulated environments. She also forms part of the leadership of BDO Academy, where she contributes to the strategic direction and credibility of the platform.
In 2014, Vianca was recognised by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, SAICA, as one of South Africa’s Top 35 Under 35 Chartered Accountants. In the same year, she was also named as one of five finalists in the SA Young Professional of the Year awards, organised by the South African Institute of Professional Accountants. These achievements reflect a career marked by excellence, leadership and professional distinction.
Vianca is affiliated with SAICA, is a member of the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors, IRBA, and previously served on SAICA’s Training Requirements Committee. Her involvement in these bodies reflects a deep commitment to audit quality, professional standards and the ongoing development of the accounting profession.
She has also recently obtained her Doctorate in Accounting, further strengthening an already distinguished professional and academic profile. Through her leadership and expertise, she brings to BDO Academy a powerful combination of credibility, insight and a passion for developing professionals who are equipped to lead with confidence in an evolving business landscape.