Alice Mutero, Management Accountant
Finance Manager
Current Experience:
Management Accountant at National Brands Ltd Jan 2022 - Present · (3 yrs 9 mos)
Past Experience:
Financial Accountant at Outsourced Finance · Full-time Jul 2021 - Dec 2021 · (6 mos)
SAICA Article Clerk at Mazars · Contract Feb 2018 - Jul 2020 · (2 yrs 6 mos)
Qualifications:
BCompt Accounting and Auditing
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Accounting Science
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Alice Mutero doesn’t just close the books, she opens up opportunities.
From managing month-end with precision to building Excel tools that keep departments running, Alice brings clarity, control, and calm to a high-speed manufacturing environment. She's the kind of accountant who sees around corners, solves problems before they grow, and helps her team thrive, not just survive.
Finance isn’t just her job, it’s her edge.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
07:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I usually start my morning with a run.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I was always strong in accounting during high school, so it felt like a natural choice when deciding what to study. But I only truly grew to love it once I moved beyond the numbers and began to understand how they drive business decisions. What excites me most is how closely accounting is tied to the real world, businesses constantly adapt to change, and finance plays a key role in guiding that process. I enjoy being part of that journey, helping companies stay ahead and remain profitable in an ever-changing environment.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One defining moment in my career was moving from audit into the manufacturing sector. I hadn’t expected to enjoy it as much as I did, but being directly involved in the business and seeing how financial decisions influence operations and profitability really showed me the broader value finance brings beyond compliance. Another major milestone was passing my final CIMA exam. For me, it was more than just earning the qualification, it felt like recognition of the hard work and growth I had put in over the years.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I’m currently a Management Accountant, and my role is quite broad. A big part of it involves managing the month-end process, ensuring everything is accurate, closed on time, and ready for reporting. I handle variance analysis and commentary, and I’m closely involved in budgeting and forecasting. Since we’re a lean team, I also take on ad hoc reporting and work on improving processes. I’m known as the Excel go-to, so I often build or refine templates and reports for other departments. It’s a mix of technical accounting and business partnering, which I enjoy because it keeps the work varied and engaging.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute to the financial strategy mainly through the insights I provide. Beyond closing the books each month, I focus on what the numbers reveal, what’s driving costs, where trends are emerging, and how we can save or improve. I’m heavily involved in budgeting and forecasting, which directly shapes the bigger financial picture for the business. Because I understand how different departments operate, I can also flag risks or opportunities they may not see from a financial perspective. On top of that, I’m very process-driven, so I’m always looking for ways to streamline reporting and reduce manual work. Even small improvements can make a big difference in supporting strategic decision-making.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges has been keeping up with the fast pace of the factory environment. Priorities shift quickly, and there’s always a lot happening, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. What helped me was learning to stay organized, focus on one task at a time, and communicate clearly with the team. I’ve also had to become more flexible, which has made it easier to adapt and keep things on track even when the pace is intense.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I rely on a mix of tools and strategies to manage financial operations effectively. Excel is my go-to for data analysis, reporting, and identifying trends. I also focus on staying organized with clear workflows and regular check-ins to keep everything on track. Communication is key, so I work closely with other departments to ensure alignment. Most importantly, I try to stay proactive by focusing on forecasting and budgeting, which helps the business prepare rather than just react.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
During busy periods, I stay balanced by prioritizing what needs to be done first and breaking the work into manageable bursts. I make sure to take short breaks, whether it’s stretching, grabbing some water, or stepping outside for a quick walk, to reset and clear my head. These small pauses help me stay focused and prevent feeling overwhelmed.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I like to go running or hiking to get fresh air and switch off. I also enjoy reading as a way to relax. Those are the things that help me recharge.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
I’ve been fortunate to learn from great mentors in my career, so I make it a priority to pay that forward by supporting others. Yes, I do mentor people on my team. I try to create a safe, open space where they can ask questions without hesitation, because everyone has to start somewhere. I also encourage them to take on challenges that stretch them just beyond their comfort zone so they can grow naturally. And whenever I can, I share practical tips and shortcuts, especially in Excel, that make their work easier and more efficient
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
For anyone looking to work in finance, start by mastering the basics of accounting and finance, that’s your foundation. Beyond that, it’s important to understand how finance fits into the broader business picture. Build strong analytical skills and learn to explain numbers clearly so anyone can understand them. Becoming proficient in Excel and the finance tools your company uses is also a big help. Finally, stay curious and look for ways to contribute beyond your immediate tasks, continuous learning and taking initiative are what really drive growth.
“You can’t always control the wind, but you can adjust your sails”. So instead of wasting time worrying about things out of your hands, I focus on steering my own ship, and maybe making sure there’s good cup of tea onboard for the journey.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
A leadership lesson that has stayed with me is that it’s not about having all the answers or just giving instructions. True leadership is about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to do their best. When you trust your team and let them take ownership, they often exceed expectations. Since everyone works differently, a big part of leading well is understanding each person and supporting them in the way that works best. Balancing trust, collaboration, and understanding has been key for me.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me is that I’m really into true crime. I don’t mean in a morbid way, I’m fascinated by the psychology behind it. Understanding how people think, what drives their actions, and how investigations unfold really draws me in. Whether it’s podcasts, documentaries, or cold cases, I’m completely hooked, it’s like my own version of a mystery novel.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have a superpower for work, it would be the ability to manipulate time, like hitting pause or slowing things down when deadlines are approaching. It would give me extra hours to tackle spreadsheets or enjoy a coffee break without stress. Basically, it would be my secret weapon for managing a busy day.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
To stay productive during long workdays, I break the day into chunks and set mini goals for each section. I usually tackle the more mentally demanding tasks, like analysis, first, and leave admin-type work for later when I need a lighter load. My to-do list keeps me grounded when things get hectic, and I make sure to take short breaks, even just stepping away from my screen or grabbing a cup of tea, because I’ve learned that working non-stop often leads to mistakes or burnout.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
If I could relive one day from my career, it would be the first time I managed a full month-end close on my own. Leading up to it, I felt a lot of pressure, I’d seen it done many times, but this time it was all on me. Everything went smoothly, and I felt proud knowing I could rely on my own judgment and planning. That experience boosted my confidence and changed how I saw myself, not just as someone completing tasks, but as someone capable of owning and leading a key process. It also reinforced that preparation, consistency, and knowing your numbers thoroughly can make even high-pressure tasks manageable
Alice’s journey proves that technical skill is only half the battle, mindset, mentorship, and resilience do the rest. Want to become the kind of finance pro your business can’t live without?
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your insights into influence, and your role into leadership.
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