Charné Honiball, Audit & Assurance Manager
Audit & Assurance Manager
Current Experience:
Audit & Assurance Manager at CT Finance Consulting (Pty) Ltd · Full-time Jan 2026 - Present · (1 mo)
Past Experience:
Head Accountant at Fin · Full-time Jan 2025 - Jan 2026 · (1 yr 1 mo)
Audit Supervisor at BDO South Africa Full-time Dec 2023 - Dec 2024 · (1 yr 1 mo)
Experienced Audit Senior at BDO South Africa
Full-time Feb 2023 - Dec 2023 · (11 mos)
Senior Trainee Accountant at BDO South Africa Feb 2020 - Jan 2023 · (3 yrs)
Student Tutor at University of the Western Cape Jan 2016 - Dec 2016 · (1 yr)
Education:
BCom Accounting
Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
From Audit Intern to Head Accountant, in Just 8 Years
Charné Honiball didn’t wait for permission. She took the accounting world by storm, moving from articles to audit supervisor to Head Accountant before most of us even figure out which emails to ignore.
She’s not just pushing numbers. She’s reporting to COOs and MDs, guiding governance decisions, mentoring junior staff, and interpreting financials like a strategy playbook.
Here’s what we learned from someone who’s already climbed the ladder and isn’t afraid to tell you how it’s built.
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 morning with a cup of coffee, catch up briefly on social media, take my supplements, then shower and get ready for the day ahead.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
I performed well in Accounting at school and, when it came time to apply to university, I researched the field more closely. That’s when I realised the wide range of opportunities the accounting and finance industry offers, which sparked my interest in pursuing it further.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Some key milestones in my career include completing my SAIPA and SAICA articles, being promoted to Audit Supervisor within my first year after articles at an audit firm, and transitioning out of audit to start my career as Head Accountant at Fin.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I am the Head Accountant, responsible for overseeing the finance department and reporting directly to the COO and Managing Director.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute to the overall financial strategy by ensuring financial records are accurate, complete, and kept up to date. I report financial results to those charged with governance to support informed decision-making and ensure that budgets are realistic, achievable, and aligned with business objectives.
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 is stepping into a new role, as this is my first month in the position. My current focus has been on integrating into the team quickly and finding ways to add value from the outset.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I focus on ensuring the team’s work is accurate and complete, supporting the finance team in meeting their objectives, and interpreting financial results rather than simply reporting on them.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I make a conscious effort to step away when needed by spending quality time with family and friends, and I prioritise my health to stay grounded and maintain balance during busy periods.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
At the moment, I’m focused on pursuing my CIMA designation, so time for hobbies is fairly limited. That said, I make a point of spending time with friends and family, as social activities help me switch off and recharge.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
Yes, I support team members within the finance department by maintaining open lines of communication and encouraging them to reach out whenever they need guidance. I provide constructive feedback on their work by reviewing tasks with them and allowing them to make the necessary corrections themselves, which helps reinforce learning and build confidence
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
I would advise anyone aspiring to work in a finance department to first build a strong foundation in technical accounting skills. Equally important is developing soft skills, which are often overlooked in formal education but play a major role in contributing effectively to a finance team. Strong communication skills are also essential for success in this environment.
“What you are not changing, you are choosing”
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 that leaders aren’t dictators—they guide and support their team using the knowledge and skills they have. It’s also important to stay humble and open, because no one knows everything, and leaders can learn just as much from their team as they teach.
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 I really enjoy planning events and get-togethers. Whether it’s a party or a small gathering, I love being involved in the details and seeing everything come together.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be? Predicting financial trends? Master multitasking?
If I could have any superpower for my job, it would be the ability to work at an accelerated pace, allowing me to complete tasks much faster.
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 regular breaks to eat and stay hydrated, while maintaining a positive attitude and encouraging my team.
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 my last few days at my previous company, where I spent nearly eight years straight out of university. My colleagues made it memorable with a surprise breakfast, thoughtful gifts, and special meals—it was a meaningful show of appreciation that I truly valued.
Charné’s story proves it: you don’t need a CA(SA) title to lead the numbers, or the team. You just need guts, growth, and guidance.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to build the career (and life) that fits your ambition.
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