Vuyo S
Panorama, South Africa
“Consistent, clear, correct”
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
BBusSc in Finance with Accounting
University of Cape Town
2012–2015
Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
University of Cape Town
2016
Favorite referencing style
The Harvard referencing style is my favorite because it's simple and neat. There isn't a lot of fuss, but it gets the job done just fine. I am a bit biased, though, since I had to use it as a student.
Why I became an editor
I have always had an interest in learning languages. I love hearing and reading languages, spoken and written, according to their strictest rules. English has always been one of my favorites because of its flexibility and its ebb and flow. Consequently, I have always been a bit dogmatic about spelling and grammar. Proofreading is an opportunity for me to put my knowledge, skills, and interest in English to good use, rather than to annoy people with unsolicited corrections.
Background and experience
I have done some generic accounting work, such as filing tax returns and bookkeeping. However, the majority of my time has been in auditing. My auditing experience comes from my chartered accounting articles at KPMG (one of the "Big Four" auditing firms). I specialized in financial services. My clients were insurance underwriters, hedge funds, retirement funds, asset managers, and collective investment schemes.
Why I love proofreading and editing
I enjoy fixing up people's writing. I like the process of watching it go from incoherent and lackluster to impeccable and engaging. Although there is only so much I'm allowed to do as a proofreader, it is nice to know that I am a part of whatever work the client is presenting to their audience.
Favorite book:
I love high fantasy, so I'd have to say The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson will likely take the top spot once they are completed.
Hobbies:
I mostly like to watch series, play computer games, and go out for coffee with friends.
Editing tips:
I like to limit my scope of corrections and comments to one or two each time I read the text. For example, I start with spelling and grammar, then move on to style and referencing.
