Exciting CPA

Patty Gannon

Top Competitor Moira Hornby, CPA

We gave you the Ironman CPA in the July/August issue, now we feature an Ironwoman CPA — Moira Hornby.

Hornby was born in Zimbabwe and grew up on the largest dairy farm in the country. Her competitive edge blossomed early, as she was the winner of the first ever Junior Stockman and cattle judging competition, finishing ahead of many agricultural college entrants.

Inspired by seeing the Ironman Marathon on the “Magnum PI” television show, Hornby won the first South African Triathlon and was the first South African to compete in the World Ironman Championships in Hawaii in 1984 placing 30th. Repeating her South African win the following year, she returned to Hawaii, where she was age group winner and fifth woman over all in the 1985 World Ironman Championships. “It’s an experience I will never forget,” says Hornby. “Especially the final part of the run down Alee Drive with the crowd shouting ‘go get em,’ and then finally crossing the finish line to the song, ‘Chariots of Fire,’ and the loud speaker blaring ‘and now fifth woman home — Moira Hornby from South Africa.’”

In addition to being the Long course triathlon champion, Hornby was also the first South African National champion of the short course triathlon. She was first Zimbabwe woman entrant in the Comrades International 90 km Ultra marathon placing second in 1979, an event now dominated by the Russian Ultra runners; she held the Zimbabwe marathon record from 1978 through 1981, and was gold medalist winner in the South African Masters 10 km in 1984. Other firsts include: First Woman to win the Zimbabwe Chartered Accountants Sportsman of the year in 1984; First woman to win the Durban Surf 3.5 km long surf swim in 1975 and first woman admitted membership of the Durban Surf Life Saving Club in 1982, after passing the Surf Proficiency Life Saving Award previously restricted to males.

She was also the first woman to participate in the South African Men’s veteran’s four-day cycle tour, which included a visiting German team in 1985; pioneering woman’s cycling in South Africa. Hornby is also a high achiever professionally. She not only holds an American CPA; but also holds the Australian Chartered Accountants (CA) qualification, as well as the South African CA and the Zimbabwean CA, plus a Bachelor of Commerce degree and various post graduate diplomas in taxation.

Internationally, Moira has been involved in work assignments that have taken her all over the world. She has held positions ranging from Tax director at Deloitte and Touché to managing Director of a German IT holding company. Hornby played a key role in spearheading the growth of an international IT group into 18 countries. She is currently a private consultant. “The one who comes in first is always remembered. But the runner up fades into obscurity — this saying I know well,” jokes Hornby.

Hornby is now playing more golf than competing in triathalons. “The body is now like a motor car with 200,000 miles on the clock, so rather than adding more miles, I have preserved the body work that is still good, and have been having some fun playing a new sport.”

AZ CPA – October 2006

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