Bhekikhaya Madondo, Brand Accountant
Brand Accountant
Current Experience:
Brand Accountant IIE Varsity College · Full-time Jul 2024 - Present · (1 yr 8 mos)
Past Experience:
Financial Accountant Oxfam · Contract Apr 2024 - Jun 2024 · (3 mos)
Audit Supervisor at The Modern Firm Part-time Feb 2024 - Mar 2024 · (2 mos)
Audit Senior at The Modern Firm Full-time Jan 2023 - Feb 2024 · (1 yr 2 mos)
Audit Trainee at The Modern Firm Full-time Jan 2022 - Jan 2023 · (1 yr 1 mo)
Articled Clerk at PwC Jan 2019 - Aug 2021 · (2 yrs 8 mos)
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree Accounting and Finance
Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Science
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Most accountants tell stories of tough exams and long hours.
Bhekikhaya Madondo tells the story of depression, survival, and coming back stronger.
In his final year of articles, Bhekikhaya hit a wall most in this profession are afraid to talk about, burnout, financial pressure, and the guilt of letting go. He didn’t just walk away from a job, he walked away from the version of success that was breaking him.
But he didn’t stay down.
Now a Brand Accountant, he’s running monthly accounts, building up junior staff, and proving that mental health recovery can coexist with excellence. His honesty about imposter syndrome, affirmations, and why Excel formulas are a love language, is the kind of leadership this profession needs more of.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
08:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I usually start my day with breathing exercises, followed by a shower while listening to affirmations.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
My interest in accounting started at home. My father owned a poultry business that had strong customers and reliable suppliers, but managing the financial side was a constant challenge. In the end, limited financial knowledge contributed to the business failing. I often felt that if someone in the family had stronger financial skills, the outcome might have been very different.
That experience sparked my interest in accounting. As I learned more, I discovered a genuine passion for the field, along with a strong love for problem solving and working with numbers.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of the most defining moments in my career came during the final year of my articles in 2023, when I experienced depression. At the time, mental health was not something I fully understood, and trying to pursue my goal of becoming a CA while struggling internally was incredibly difficult. This was compounded by the fact that I was the breadwinner, supporting both myself and my younger sister.
As I continued to ignore what I was going through, my mental health worsened until I reached a point where I could no longer carry on. I ultimately had to cancel my articles contract and step away from work, without a clear plan for how I would move forward. It felt like I was giving up on my dream, and that made the experience even harder.
That period became a turning point in my life. I learned how often we prioritise everything and everyone around us while neglecting ourselves, essentially trying to pour from an empty cup. Through that experience, I came to understand that everything starts from within. If your internal world is not in balance, it’s unlikely that your external circumstances will be either. Depression taught me the importance of self-care, self-love, and prioritising my wellbeing. It gave me a new perspective on life and reinforced the idea that there is no life better than your own, so taking care of yourself truly matters.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I am the brand accountant, responsible for preparing the monthly management accounts for review by the financial manager and for reporting to group.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the financial information we report. I’m actively involved in creating, implementing, and maintaining internal controls, as well as supporting the budgeting process and analysing actual results against forecasts to help the business meet its financial goals.
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 imposter syndrome. Before stepping into my role as an accountant, I spent about five years in an auditing environment. While the move into accounting was exciting, it was also intimidating. Many of the processes and terms were unfamiliar, and I felt that expectations were high now that I was a qualified CA. At first, it all felt quite overwhelming.
I worked through this by realising that the things we fear most often hold the greatest opportunities for growth. Instead of avoiding discomfort, I chose to lean into it. Whenever a topic made me feel unsure, I pushed myself to ask questions and do my own research. Over time, this approach helped me build confidence and trust in my own abilities.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I rely heavily on Microsoft Excel and continuously work on improving my skills by learning new formulas to work more efficiently. This has also helped me create templates that make it easier to identify errors and inconsistencies within our accounts.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I stay balanced by practising breathing exercises and meditation to ground myself. I make a point of taking lunch away from my computer and going for a walk to clear my head. I also take leave regularly to rest, reset, and recharge.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy playing pool or 8 ball, swimming, and reading, although I haven’t been reading as much lately. Most of all, I value spending quality time with my family.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
Yes, I support and mentor two junior brand accountants who report to me. Given how important Excel is in finance, I provide them with ongoing Excel training. When assigning tasks, I encourage them to think about why we do certain things, not just how to do them. I also motivate them to ask for more responsibility so they can continue developing their skills and confidence.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice for anyone aspiring to work in a finance department is to have a solid understanding of reporting standards and keep your Excel skills sharp, as they’re essential. Be confident—or if you don’t feel confident, act as if you are, because no one can tell. Most importantly, be courageous: your career and life are yours to shape, so make the most of every opportunity.
“To thine own self be true - Shakespeare”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
One valuable leadership lesson I’ve learned is that no one knows everything, we’re all here to learn. It’s important not to be too hard on yourself along the way.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio? A hobby, interest, or fun fact?
Something surprising about me is that in my younger years, I wanted to pursue a career in theatre acting. I even auditioned for the role of Simba in The Lion King and made it to the finals, but I wasn’t selected, bringing my short-lived acting journey to an end.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be? Predicting financial trends? Master multitasking?
If I could choose a superpower for work, it would be teleportation. Being able to skip traffic without waking up extra early would make my mornings far calmer. Master multitasking would be a close second.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive includes using to-do lists, they’re like a cheat code, giving you a small dopamine boost each time you tick something off. I take five-minute breaks every hour and a half to clear my mind, make sure to get sunlight whenever possible, and stay well hydrated.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
If I could relive one day from my career, it would be the day I received my APC results (SAICA board exam 2). The emotions I felt when I found out I had passed were indescribable. Finally achieving that milestone and knowing I would now have “a surname behind my surname” was an incredible and unforgettable moment.
He once auditioned to be Simba in The Lion King.
He didn’t get the part, but life had a bigger stage waiting.
Bhekikhaya shows us that being a great accountant isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about having the courage to keep showing up when it feels like your world is collapsing.
He owns his story. He trains his team. He rewired his definition of success, and then built a career around it.
Want to lead with heart, not just head?
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your story into your superpower.
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
