Amanda Moodley, Senior Accountant
Senior Accountant
Current Experience:Senior accountant (CA) at HVM Accounting · Full-time Sep 2024 - Present · (9 mos)
PAST EXPERIENCES:Audit Senior at Nexia Levitt Kirson · Full-time Jan 2022 - Aug 2024 · (2 yrs 8 mos)
Trainee Accountant at Aitken Lambert Elsworth Inc. · Full-time Feb 2021 - Jan 2022 · (1 yr)
Qualifications:Bcom Accounting
Post grad diploma in Applied Accounting Science
Country of Residence:South Africa
LinkedIn Profile: Amanda Moodley doesn’t just balance books, she balances ambition, family, and fierce dedication.
After leaving a stable job to pursue her Chartered Accountant (SA) designation, Amanda didn’t just pass, she soared. Now a Senior Accountant and business owner, she’s guiding clients from one-man operations to million-rand enterprises with insight, heart, and strategy.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
7:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
Balancing morning preparations for myself and my family while planning the day ahead for both home and work responsibilities.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
A curiosity about how money works and a desire to make smart, informed decisions with the resources available.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One key milestone in my career was completing my articles at a mid-tier audit firm. It was a significant decision, as I left a stable, well-paying job of nine years to pursue the Chartered Accountancy path. Another defining moment was officially qualifying and registering as a CA in October 2024. Soon after, I stepped into a senior role where colleagues and clients alike began looking to me for guidance. It was a powerful awakening, realizing I had become a trusted advisor and a source of direction for others.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I'm a Senior Accountant.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I play a key role in shaping financial and operational strategies for a wide range of clients from solo entrepreneurs to multi-million-rand businesses by identifying inefficiencies and areas for improvement. At my own firm, HVM Accounting, my focus is on client retention and acquisition, driven by consistent delivery of high-quality reporting and strategic financial advisory, which forms the core of my day-to-day responsibilities.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I've faced has been working with clients who are resistant to understanding the financial realities of their business and prefer to dictate how their numbers should appear. This experience, however, became a valuable opportunity to refine my communication and relationship-building skills. I learned how to effectively convey key accounting principles to strong-willed, business-minded individuals, while also building the trust needed for them to confidently rely on me to manage their financial affairs.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
Analytics is a vital tool in effectively managing a company’s financial operations. By examining management accounts, financial statements, and key financial ratios, both current and historical, I’m able to pinpoint operational challenges and identify opportunities for growth. Forecasting also plays a crucial role, helping to ensure business continuity and plan for both operational and financial needs. Additionally, I always consider the tax implications of any decisions made, ensuring a well-rounded and strategic approach to financial management.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
Staying balanced, especially during busy periods, comes down to two core principles: planning and prioritisation. In the world of accounting, where demands are high and deadlines are tight, these are essential for keeping things on track. My approach is to tackle the most urgent and high-impact tasks first, completing them as efficiently as possible. I also prioritise based on both importance and my capacity to deliver. The reality is, everything feels urgent to someone, but it’s crucial to identify what truly deserves to be at the top of your list to ensure you meet your responsibilities effectively.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I really enjoy spending time outdoors and soaking up the sunshine, it’s a refreshing contrast to the five-day office routine. Weekends and afternoons are my chance to unwind, and I make the most of them by going on walks with my family and our two dogs, heading to the beach, or taking spontaneous drives with no set destination just finding a spot to enjoy lunch or dinner before heading back home. Movie nights are also a weekend tradition in our household and something I always look forward to.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Mentoring is a key part of my role, and I engage with my team members daily to support their growth. Working closely with trainees, I make it a priority to share the knowledge and skills I’ve gained over the years. This happens through structured training, regular review and feedback sessions, as well as informal conversations that create a space for continuous learning. I also see mentorship as a two-way street, there’s always something to learn from others, whether they’re above or below you in the management hierarchy.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice to anyone aspiring to work in a finance department is to develop a genuine passion for the field and take pride in the value you bring to any organisation. While each business is unique, every company needs someone who understands its finances. That passion will carry you through even the most challenging days. The beauty of working in finance is that the skills and knowledge you gain not only give you a strong sense of purpose and self-worth, but also place you a step ahead, because understanding money, financial systems, and how businesses operate is a powerful advantage.
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up" by Thomas A. Edison
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
One important leadership lesson I’ve learned is to embrace constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity for growth. Being overly sensitive can hold you back, so it’s crucial to take feedback in stride, learn from it, and strive to improve. Even the most challenging clients, difficult days, or biggest setbacks offer valuable lessons or help develop skills you might not have realized you possessed. The key is to stay resilient and keep moving forward!
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I really enjoy letting loose and having a good time. It often surprises my colleagues and friends, but my personal motto has always been: work hard, play even harder.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower to help me in my job, it would be a perfect memory. Managing numerous clients, requests, and tasks means keeping track of many details, and having an exceptional memory would make it much easier to recall everything each task involves along with its background.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is to take breaks whenever I need them. Even just stepping away from my desk for five minutes to go for a walk, grab a snack, or make a good cup of coffee helps me reset and recharge. This approach has really helped me get through some of my toughest days.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
The day I received my results for the SAICA APC board 2 exam was a defining moment that confirmed I am officially a Chartered Accountant. Even now, it still feels surreal.
Amanda’s journey is proof that pushing past your comfort zone opens doors to impact, to influence, and to leadership. Whether she’s mentoring trainees or managing client portfolios, she brings purpose to every spreadsheet and power to every decision.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your resilience into recognition, just like Amanda.
Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
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