Charity Fetene, Finance Manager
Finance Manager
Current Experience:
Finance Manager - Statutory and Reporting at Galaxy Bingo Jul 2021 - Present · (4 yrs 4 mos)
Past Experiences:
Financial Manager - Management Accounts Feb 2018 - Jun 2021 · (3 yrs 5 mos)
Senior Financial Accountant at Galaxy Bingo Nov 2013 - Jan 2018 (4 Yrs 3 mos)
Senior Financial Accountant at Vukani Gaming Corporation (Pty) Ltd. · Full-time Mar 2010 - Apr 2013 · (3 yrs 2 mos)
Qualifications:
BCom Economic and Management Science
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
She started with a simple choice: avoid grey areas.
From crafting training manuals to steering financial compliance in a role once reserved for CAs, Charity’s proof that technical skill + teachable mindset = unstoppable leadership.
When COVID crushed morale, she held the team. When opportunity knocked, she walked through the door, invited by the CEO himself.
This isn’t just a finance manager story. It’s a blueprint for how to rise when the odds are stacked.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
07:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I start my morning by reading scripture, spending time in prayer, and doing some exercise.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I wasn’t drawn to the natural sciences in school and didn’t feel comfortable with the uncertainty that comes with a career in the arts, so I ruled those out early on. Through a process of elimination, I discovered that I genuinely enjoyed accounting. I liked that it’s factual, structured, and leaves little room for grey areas or subjective interpretation.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
I’ve always made it a point to take ownership of my role, which has led me to contribute to developing training manuals, policies, and departmental procedures. My curiosity and commitment have also helped me grow into a position that was traditionally reserved for chartered accountants.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I serve as the Finance Manager, responsible for statutory and financial reporting.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by ensuring timely reporting of financial results, from monthly management accounts and consolidations to annual financial statements. I’m also actively involved in the budgeting process and help ensure that all entities remain compliant with regulatory bodies such as SARS.
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 keeping morale high and staying positive while motivating the team through the uncertainty of the COVID-19 period.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I manage financial operations by reviewing monthly management accounts and comparing actual performance against budgets. I also assess new opportunities and potential risks each month, while developing both short- and medium-term plans to guide decision-making.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I stay balanced by planning ahead and relying on a strong support system.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
I enjoy gardening and reading, which help me unwind and recharge outside of work.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
Having authored much of our internal training material, I prefer to mentor team members through one-on-one conversations. I provide guidance while assessing where they are in their career and within the department. My approach involves asking questions that encourage them to think critically and solve problems using the resources available, like accounting theory and online tools. While this can be time-consuming, it builds essential problem-solving skills in the long run. I also remind them that they are responsible for driving their own careers and should make the most of every opportunity. When needed, I reinforce that they earned their role by being the best candidate for the position.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Technical skills are important, but even more crucial is being teachable and having the right attitude, ambition, and passion for the work.
“Don’t be controlled by other people’s fears. Set your own heights.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
A key leadership lesson I’ve learned is the importance of respecting others.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
A fun fact about me that isn’t in my professional bio is that I really enjoy color-coding spreadsheets.
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 understand human nature.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is sticking to a to-do list, with the occasional boost from good chocolate.
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 in my career, it would be the day the CEO personally called me, an accountant, into a meeting to suggest I apply for the vacant Financial Manager role.
Charity’s story is the reminder we all need: You don’t need more credentials to lead, you need more courage to own your space.
She’s not waiting for the rules to change. She’s rewriting them.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your experience into authority and your role into leadership.
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