Christabel Seima, Accountant
Director
Current Experience:
Accountant at NEC Africa (Pty) ltd · Full-time Dec 2017 - Present · (8 yrs)
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree Accounting and Finance
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
“I always wanted to be an accountant when I grow up.”
That childhood dream didn’t just come true, it turned into a career grounded in purpose, precision, and perseverance.
Christabel Seima, a seasoned accountant with over 10 years of experience, a SAIPA designation under her belt, and a calm but ruthless focus on financial efficiency. From baking in her spare time to mentoring her team, Christabel is proof that the best finance leaders are both strategic and human.
She doesn’t just balance books, she balances life. And she’s got the KPIs, spreadsheets, and travel snacks to prove it.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
06:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I usually spend the first hour of my morning just unwinding and taking it easy.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
It’s been a dream since childhood. I always knew I wanted to become an accountant when I grew up.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of the biggest milestones in my career was qualifying as a SAIPA member.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I work as an accountant within the finance department.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I help shape the company’s financial strategy by setting practical KPIs, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and reducing unnecessary expenses to improve overall financial efficiency.
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 meeting tight financial deadlines while maintaining accuracy and compliance with accounting standards. Balancing reporting, audits, and regulatory requirements under pressure pushed me to strengthen my time management and strategic planning skills.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I manage the company’s financial operations by maintaining accurate bookkeeping, reconciliations, and financial statements, automating reporting to reduce manual work and errors, and ensuring timely tax calculations and compliance with regulations.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
Create a task list to track responsibilities and deadlines.
Allocate time wisely to manage tasks efficiently.
Minimize distractions by maintaining a focused work environment.
Prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
Tackle major tasks in the morning when energy and focus are at their peak.
Plan ahead to avoid last-minute pressure and keep workflow smooth.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
I enjoy cooking, baking, and traveling, activities that help me relax 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?
I support and mentor my team by encouraging their professional growth, suggesting online courses to build skills, assigning tasks that match their strengths and development areas, and guiding them as they pursue professional qualifications.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
To work effectively in a finance department, it’s important to build a strong foundation in technical skills and analytical thinking.
Familiarize yourself with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and local tax regulations.
Develop strong Excel skills.
Learn to navigate ERP systems.
Focus on accuracy and attention to detail in your work.
Consider pursuing relevant professional qualifications.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
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 to lead by example.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me that isn’t in my professional bio is that I’m also a good teacher.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have a superpower for my job, it would be the ability to reduce financial losses and maximize returns.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is to plan ahead, eat well, and get enough rest.
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 graduated from university, one of my greatest achievements.
Christabel’s journey reminds us: it’s not just about deadlines and debits, it’s about clarity, growth, and community. Her biggest win? Not just getting the numbers right but helping others rise with her.
Want to lead like Christabel?
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your financial skills into influence, income, and impact.
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
