Angelique Pienaar, Onboarding and Project Accountant
Onboarding and Project Accountant
Current Experience:
Onboarding and Project Accountant at Iridium Business Solutions · Freelance Oct 2024 - Present · (1 yr)
Past Experience:
Professional Accountant (SAIPA) at MHAS · Full-time Aug 2018 - Sep 2024 · (6 yrs 2 mos)
(SAIPA) Accountant at Bridge the Gap Consulting Sep 2007 - Aug 2018 · (11 yrs)
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Accounting Science
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
From late-night textbooks to leading tech-driven finance ops, Angelique Pienaar didn’t just survive the grind. She mastered it.
Single mom. SAIPA-qualified. BCom eight years in the making. Now she’s shaping onboarding and project finance at Iridium Business Solutions, while still making time for dance, nature, and mentoring the next gen.
If you’ve ever questioned whether you can juggle it all and still win, Angelique’s journey proves you can.
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 start my morning with a glass of cold water to wake up my body. When time allows, my family and I enjoy taking a walk on a nearby trail, which is a great way to get some fresh air and enjoy nature together.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
What drew me to accounting and finance was the mix of numbers, strategy, and problem-solving. I’ve always enjoyed piecing together the financial puzzle, and I see finance as central to shaping both business decisions and people’s quality of life.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Qualifying as a SAIPA Professional Accountant was a major milestone for me. It marked the achievement of years of dedication, balancing a career, part-time studies, and the responsibilities of being a single parent while raising my daughter.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I play a versatile role in the finance department. My work includes onboarding new clients, managing conversion projects, and supporting the SARS/tax technical team to ensure everything runs smoothly. It’s a mix of challenging and rewarding responsibilities that keep me engaged.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute to the company’s financial strategy by staying aligned with its core values, building a collaborative team, showing resilience and determination, and working as a genuine partner in supporting our clients’ success.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was transitioning into a tech-focused environment, which required me to adapt my processes and approach. By staying persistent and committed to learning, I embraced the change and now enjoy both the new skills I’ve gained and the efficiency benefits from automation.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I leverage technology and remain adaptable to change, using these tools and strategies to manage the company’s financial operations effectively.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I stay balanced during busy periods by prioritizing tasks with a clear list and addressing them in order of importance. I also take short breaks, such as a quick walk outside, to refresh my mind and maintain focus and energy throughout the day.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in nature, exploring our city, and traveling. Traveling, in particular, helps me recharge by allowing me to experience new cultures and gain fresh perspectives.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
In my role, I regularly mentor team members by sharing technical knowledge and providing guidance. I focus on developing their skills so they feel supported and confident in navigating our ever-evolving work environment.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
I’d advise aspiring finance professionals to focus on mastering accounting principles, honing analytical skills, becoming proficient with financial software, and staying current with industry regulations. These areas provide a strong foundation for a successful career in finance.
“Colossians 3:23-24 comes to mind: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” This verse serves as a reminder that all work, whether secular or sacred, is an opportunity to worship God. Our attitude toward work should reflect our devotion to Him, recognizing that it is only by His grace that we are where we are.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
A valuable leadership lesson I’ve learned is to take things one step at a time, focusing on the task at hand rather than getting overwhelmed by future uncertainties.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me is that I enjoy dancing and have had the opportunity to perform in productions at the Baxter, Artscape, and the Grahamstown Festival.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
I’d choose the ability to master multitasking. This would help me manage multiple accounts, reports, and deadlines simultaneously, increasing efficiency and ensuring nothing is overlooked.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I stay productive during long workdays by breaking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks and taking short breaks in between. This helps me maintain focus and avoid burnout.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
I’d relive the day I received confirmation that I had completed my BCom degree after eight challenging years. It was a pivotal moment that gave me the confidence to pursue my SAIPA qualification, knowing that I could achieve it.
Angelique’s not just a multitasking accountant, she’s a strategist, mentor, and proof that faith + grit pays off.
Her story is a reminder: we’re not here just to reconcile books, we’re here to build lives, grow firms, and claim our space in a market that too often overlooks us.
Want to turn your daily hustle into strategic growth?
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to master multitasking, scale smarter, and stand out with the title you deserve.
Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
Not yet a professional designated accountant?
CIBA is the professional body for all accountants.
We offer designations for each stage of your finance career:
➥ Bookkeeper
➥ Financial Administrator
➥ Financial Accountant
➥ Financial Manager
➥ Chief Financial Officer
➥ Accountant-In-Practice
Become a CIBA Member
Your first step towards a professional designation
