Customer Testimonials

Since the inception of our business (The Packaging Company) in 2011, Helen (then HH Accounting, now Preferred Solutions EC) has assisted ourselves, tirelessly, in obtaining our goals and aspirations. Our experience with the Company, as a whole, has always been positive, informative and very helpful. Helen has always been, our “GO TO” person, with her knowledge, insight and forward-thinking approach to business.  Helen, as I always tell you, “You make my job a whole lot easier, and you can NEVER retire”

“Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.” There is only one word that describes their service, excellent. Friendly staff that goes the extra mile for their clients. It is comforting to know that when you need them, they are just a call away and are always willing to help. I would highly recommend their services.

Wheco Group is a prominent player in South Africa’s furniture and homeware sector, encompassing leading brands such as Cielo, Incanda, and Visco Pedic, with a national presence spanning retail, e-commerce, and manufacturing. For over seven years, Preferred Solutions has been a trusted partner, particularly within our Sage Evolution environment, SQL database management, and reporting infrastructure.

Shane and his team have consistently provided valuable and dependable support — from developing custom reports and optimising data to offering hands-on assistance during key system rollouts. Their responsiveness, adaptability, and readiness to assist helps us maintain momentum during high-pressure periods and critical business phases. Coupled with their professional, solution-oriented mindset and approachable manner, they have become a seamless extension of our team and a valued service provider.

Our group has multiple business entities and about 70 staff. We have worked with Preferred Solutions EC for more than 20 years and I can only say good things about the support we have received with our Pastel and Payroll solutions! Helen and her team have always provided us with friendly and excellent service! We look forward to many more years working together! 

We began our partnership with Preferred Solutions in February 2023, right before the new financial year started in March. Before that, Waudcray - an automotive resistance welding and light engineering specialist - was running basic accounting through QuickBooks on a single PC, along with spreadsheets. We had no multi-user capability and relied heavily on manual processes. From the moment Preferred Solutions stepped in, everything changed. In just a few short weeks, they migrated us to Sage Evolution’s core accounting module, setting up four simultaneous users instead of one.

Suddenly, routine work became smoother, reporting more insightful, and we eliminated countless spreadsheets. They didn’t stop there. Preferred Solutions listened to our operational needs and implemented the Bill of Materials module in Sage. We can now create and manage Job Cards directly within Sage—no more relying on separate, stand-alone solutions. This has had a major impact on our workshop floor’s efficiency and traceability. In mid-2024, when the service provider who previously handled Waudcray’s VAT submissions could no longer assist us, Preferred Solutions didn’t hesitate, they quickly filled the gap and took over seamlessly.

Their professionalism, responsiveness, and friendly expertise turned a potential disruption into a non-issue. Their team has been knowledgeable, professional, and always responsive - working with them truly feels like having an extension of our own finance and IT departments. If you're looking for a partner who delivers reliable, Sage-based solutions, cares about your business, and jumps in when things get tricky, you won’t go wrong with Preferred Solutions. 

Working with Preferred Solutions has transformed the way we operate in the restaurant industry. Shane and the team are brilliant to work with — always patient and helpful, no matter how complex the task. Their custom Excel systems, cloud hosting, and database integration have made our operations smoother and far more accurate. After 5+ years of working together, we trust them completely and can’t recommend them enough!

I have only ever had exceptional, efficient service from Preferred Solutions EC, in particular from Nolan who is always happy to assist with any queries I may have. 

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Preferred Solutions EC for over 30 years, and their service has been nothing short of outstanding. Helen Mclean and her team have been incredibly efficient, responsive, and accurate in every interaction. From managing our annual EMP501 returns to handling urgent Pastel accounting and payroll software queries and updates, they’ve provided unwavering support that has brought real peace of mind to our business.

I highly recommend them to anyone looking for dependable and professional accounting/ payroll software assistance. I would especially like to commend Helen Mclean for her professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail. Her knowledge about accounting is phenomenal and her dedication and consistent support have made a real difference in our business. It’s rare to find someone so reliable and committed. I’m truly grateful for the outstanding service and highly recommend her and her team. 

As the Accountant for Continental Butchery & Deli Group, I'm delighted to wholeheartedly recommend Preferred Solutions.  With over 20 years of partnership, they've consistently delivered outstanding support and expertise in Pastel Accounting and Payroll. Their team is knowledgeable, responsive, and dedicated to excellence.

We've relied on their expertise to streamline financial processes, ensure compliance, and drive growth. Their professionalism and commitment to customer satisfaction make them an invaluable partner. I highly recommend Preferred Solutions for reliable and expert accounting and payroll support.  Their team is truly exceptional, and we're grateful for their ongoing support. Thank you, Preferred Solutions, for your hard work and dedication. 

I am Mark Francis, the Financial Manager at SOGA Organic (PTY) Ltd. We manufacture the only certified organic citrus juice in South Africa, at our plant in Kirkwood. We joined forces with the Preferred Solutions team more than five years ago, and enjoy a great working relationship with the team. We run Sage 200 evolution, with the focus on manufacturing and financial modules. The Preferred Solutions team with their input and advice have greatly helped us to grow and streamline systems while our business has grown.

The whole team are friendly and efficient, but most of all, knowledgeable on the product they support. If I do pick up problems, any team member is able to assist at short notice. The team has also assisted us with report writing to utilize our information for improved management of our business. We are currently implementing Payspace payroll system using their team for support. We enjoy a great working relationship, and I really feel like one of the family. 

It is always a pleasure to work with the helpful and friendly team at Preferred Solution EC. They are always available to answer queries from the smallest payroll related to larger strategic related SAGE EVO queries. They go the extra mile for their customers. We appreciate you Preferred Solutions EC! 

At City Paint & Tool, we're genuinely impressed with Preferred Solutions. Their exceptional service and innovative solutions have significantly streamlined our operations, boosting our efficiency and helping us better serve our customers. They're more than just a provider; they're a trusted partner who consistently delivers real results. We highly recommend them! 

As a financial advisory practice based in Port Elizabeth, SFP Wealth is built on providing our clients with clear, personalised financial advice from investments to insurance to retirement planning. In a business like ours, trust and accuracy are everything and having control over our internal systems is non-negotiable. That’s where Shane and his team at Preferred Solutions stepped in and made all the difference. We approached them with a challenge: we needed to streamline how we manage our commission structures and maintain our growing client database — all within the tools we already use every day, like Excel.

They didn’t just deliver; they took the time to understand how our business works, the compliance demands of our industry, and how we serve our clients. They built a smart, customised Excel program that have completely changed the way we work behind the scenes. It’s easier than ever to track key metrics, keep our data clean and accurate, and make faster, more informed decisions. What once took hours now takes minutes. As fellow business owners in PE, it’s refreshing to work with a team that’s not only highly skilled but also genuinely committed to helping local businesses work smarter. We’re proud to recommend Preferred Solutions — their work has added real value to ours. 

Spec-Savers Accounting Services has partnered with Preferred Solutions for many years. During our time on Pastel, Shane and his team provided invaluable support, assisting with annual roll-overs, resolving file corruption issues, and keeping our systems stable. More recently, we undertook the large-scale migration of over 300 clients from Pastel to Sage 200.

While much of the implementation was managed internally, Preferred Solutions added real value where it mattered most, from general ledger corrections and Sage database maintenance to login security enhancements and regular updates. Shane’s deep product knowledge and approachable manner helped us work through challenges effectively. Overall, Preferred Solutions has been a reliable technical partner over the years, contributing meaningfully to the continuity and success of our business.