Chelsee-Leigh Fortuin, Accountant
Accountant
Current Experience:
Accountant at BVSA Group | Groep · Full-time Jun 2024 - Present · (1 yr 5 mos)
Past Experience:
Audit Trainee at Klinkradt Chartered Accountants · Contract Jan 2023 - May 2024 · (1 yr 5 mos)
Junior Bookkeeper at Klinkradt & Associates · Full-time Jun 2022 - Dec 2022 · (7 mos)
Junior Accountant at Charteris & Barnes CC · Contract Jul 2021 - May 2022 · (11 mos)
Qualifications:
BCom Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
“I failed. I picked myself up. And I kept going.”
Meet Chelsee-Leigh Fortuin, Accounts Assistant, and living proof that failure isn’t the end. It’s just the start of a different kind of success.
From university setbacks to job hunting during COVID, Chelsee faced more than her fair share of curveballs. But today, she’s thriving in a firm that values growth, mentoring others, and mastering the messy, manual realities of South African accounting.
If you’ve ever felt like giving up, read this.
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?
On a typical weekday, I start by planning my day, it helps me stay organized once I get to the office. On weekends, I like to enjoy a cup of coffee before settling down to do some studying.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My interest in accounting started in high school, where I had excellent teachers who made the subject both fun and engaging.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
My university journey wasn’t an easy one, I faced setbacks and had to pick myself up more than once. But looking back, I’m proud that I attempted my CTA, and I’m continuing my studies to specialize further. Along the way, I’ve also found a company that truly values its employees and encourages growth, which has been a defining part of my career.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I support the accounting function by working on annual financial statements, tax returns, and estate matters, among other related tasks.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by preparing accurate and timely annual financial statements, which help management provide clients with reliable information for better decision-making.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
Every workplace operates differently, and for me, the biggest challenge was transitioning from a fully computerized environment to a semi-computerized one. It took some time to figure out the most efficient way to prepare worksheets and client files for review, especially since the process required manual submissions for checking.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
We use a combination of Sage, Xero, Timetrace, GreatSoft, and AuditMate, all of which work together to help us manage financial operations efficiently.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I make sure to start tasks early, take regular breaks, and then pick up where I left off. Pushing yourself too hard only leads to burnout, so I focus on working efficiently without overloading myself.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I like going to the gym after work, it helps me shake off the fatigue and get moving after sitting all day. I also enjoy spending time in the kitchen, experimenting and cooking new dishes.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
As one of only three team members with an accounting degree, I support colleagues who are still studying by helping them with their materials, whether it's preparing for exams or working on assignments.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Keep learning and stay updated on the latest developments in the field. Clients often ask about changes in accounting standards, so being informed is essential. If possible, take short courses on accounting software like Sage or Caseware, as this can give you an advantage when seeking a job.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.
— Winston Churchill”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
Don’t let others define your value. Trust in your own abilities, do your best, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I’m passionate about traveling, every trip teaches me something new and gives me a fresh perspective.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
I’d choose the ability to quickly analyze situations and predict the future outcomes of businesses.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I like to work for an hour, take a short five-minute walk, and then get back to it. Listening to music also helps me stay focused and productive.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
Aside from graduation, it would be the day I received my first job offer. I had been searching for almost a year, facing challenges, especially during the COVID period, so finally landing a job was an incredibly special and rewarding moment.
Why does this matter?
Because real stories like Chelsee’s remind us: this profession isn’t just about ledgers and laws, it’s about resilience, relevance, and rising through the grind.
Chelsee didn’t have it easy. But she shows up, lifts others, and keeps learning. That’s the kind of leadership CBAPs are made of.
Want to join a community that gets what it’s like to build through the struggle?
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn every setback into a step up.
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