Confidence Lekgau, Financial Accountant
Financial Accountant
Current Experience:
Financial Accountant at Cementation Africa · Full-time Apr 2023 - Present · (2 yrs 8 mos)
Past Experiences:
Auditor in Charge at Deloitte US · Contract Jan 2023 - Mar 2023 · (3 mos)
Senior at Deloitte Jan 2022 - Jan 2023 · (1 yr 1 mo)
Senior Assistant at Deloitte Jan 2021 - Feb 2022 · (1 yr 2 mos)
Academic trainee at University of Johannesburg Feb 2020 - Dec 2020 · (11 mos)
Internship at Rothschild & Co Jun 2019 - Jun 2019 · (1 mo)
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Meet Confidence Lekgau, CA(SA), a Financial Accountant at Cementation Africa who took her first international flight to New York, not for a holiday, but as an Audit Senior at Deloitte USA. She’s walked Wall Street with a laptop in hand, and now she’s walking fellow trainees through the grind she knows all too well. From pulling resilience “out her sleeves” to mentoring future CAs, her journey proves: you don’t wait for the spotlight, you become it.
This is what it looks like when confidence meets calling.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
06:30 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I usually spend the first hour of my morning reading or catching up on emails.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I developed an interest in accounting after realizing how naturally it came to me in school. Excelling in the subject made me feel that I truly belonged in the field, and each step toward achieving the CA(SA) designation has only strengthened that feeling.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Earning my degree cum laude was a major milestone for me, something I had always envisioned celebrating and sharing proudly with my future children as a reminder of what dedication can achieve.
Another defining moment was being offered the chance to stay on as an academic trainee at the University of Johannesburg during my first year of articles. Giving back in that role was incredibly fulfilling, and I still receive messages from former students expressing their gratitude and sharing how my guidance made a difference. I’ll always be thankful for that opportunity to have an impact.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I work as a Financial Accountant within the company’s finance department.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I play a key role in the day-to-day monitoring of financial transactions and the preparation of financial reports, including balance sheets and income statements, which provide insight into the company’s performance and support informed decision-making.
I’m also involved in forecasting costs and revenues as part of the business planning process. By analyzing past performance and projecting future outcomes, I help shape and guide the company’s overall financial strategy.
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 was stepping into the role as a newly qualified CA(SA) coming from an audit background and needing to hit the ground running. It required a great deal of resilience, collaboration, and a strong willingness to learn. Those qualities helped me quickly understand my responsibilities and deliver results despite the challenges. It remains one of the most defining experiences of my career.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
For me, effective financial management starts with thorough planning. I also recognize that change is inevitable, so I make it a point to review and adjust plans regularly to ensure they stay practical and aligned with current realities.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I believe balance comes from being fully present in whatever moment you’re in. When I’m with my family, I focus on them completely and give my best. When I’m at work, I do the same, staying focused and committed to the task at hand.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
I usually spend my weekends at church and reading, which helps me unwind and recharge. I also enjoy doing wall Pilates to stay active and centered.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
Yes, we have a few aspiring CAs(SA) in the team, and I support them by giving them exposure to some of the tasks I handle. I also help them work toward achieving their required competencies as they progress on their journey to becoming CAs (SA).
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice would be to embrace failure as part of the learning process and be ready to work hard, building success through your own efforts and abilities.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear in that we are powerful beyond measure.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
A valuable leadership lesson I’ve learned is that mentally strong leaders stay in control and embrace change rather than resist it.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me is that I love singing, though, for everyone’s sake, it’s usually just in the shower!
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 having extra hours in the day to get through busy seasons.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is keeping a to-do list and staying hydrated, which also naturally gives me regular breaks.
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 arrived in New York City as an Audit Senior on a contract with Deloitte USA. It was my first international flight, and I never imagined I’d be walking the streets of New York as an employee, it was truly a remarkable experience.
Confidence is living proof that the CA(SA) title is more than just letters, it’s a license to lead, serve, and inspire. Her advice? Be willing to fail. Be ready to rise.
Want to position yourself for this kind of career-defining growth?
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to rise, serve, and scale with confidence.
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