Dané De Witt, Group Financial Accountant
Group Financial Accountant
Current Experience:Group Financial Accountant at Evalex Talent Solutions · Full-time Jun 2023 - Present · (1 yr 11 mos)
PAST EXPERIENCES:Professional Accountant (SA) at Integritas Auditors Inc · Full-time Jun 2021 - May 2023 · (2 yrs)
Lilla van der Merwe and Partners Trainee Accountant Jan 2017 - Jun 2021 · (4 yrs 6 mos)
SAIPA Article clerk Jan 2018 - Dec 2020 (3 yrs)
Finance Intern at Tubecon Africa · Contract May 2016 - Nov 2016 · (7 mos)
Qualifications:Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting Sciences - Financial Accounting
Country of Residence:South Africa
LinkedIn Profile: Resilience isn’t just a mindset, it’s a career advantage. Dané brings both grit and grace to her role as a senior accountant. From passing her SAIPA evaluation after personal loss to mentoring others through complex finance challenges, she proves that leadership is built in the tough moments.
Whether she’s streamlining compliance, coaching her team, or running trails on the weekend, Dané does it with purpose.
Dané, a night owl, finds her energy later in the day, often staying up late to focus and unwind. Outside of work, she loves staying active with hockey, running, or anything outdoors, always seeking that natural boost of energy.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
6:30 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
The wide range of career paths and the opportunity to gain insight into various aspects of business operations and structures.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
As a person with a disability, I can confidently say that you truly can achieve anything you set your mind to. A defining moment for me personally was completing my degree and successfully passing my Professional Evaluation with SAIPA. Professionally, the turning point came when I transitioned from being a trainee to a fully qualified professional, an experience that made me realise the true weight of the responsibility I now carry.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
Overseeing the daily management of administrative tasks, statutory compliance, and comprehensive financial reporting.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
Managing day-to-day operations while ensuring full compliance with CIPC, SARS, and all relevant laws and regulations, along with actively contributing as a proactive member of the team.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
Transitioning from a firm to a corporate environment, the biggest challenge was adapting to and understanding business structures that I hadn't been involved in setting up. It was crucial for me to grasp the rationale behind the company’s and group’s setup, the "what" and the "why." I tackled this by asking plenty of questions and creating my own diagrams to map out the structure. Presenting these visuals helped me identify gaps in my understanding and get the answers I needed. This process also gave me valuable insight into how others think and operate, allowing me to better adapt to different working styles.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
Excel, Excel, Excel! I absolutely can't live without it. It's a tool everyone is familiar with, and sometimes the best approach is to keep things simple. Bringing it back to basics and avoiding overthinking or overcomplicating processes often leads to the most effective solutions.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
Make an effort to mentally disconnect when necessary. Prioritise a healthy lifestyle and try to maintain consistent, positive habits. Having a strong support system is truly a blessing, surrounding yourself with people who understand your challenges and stand by you makes all the difference.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Hockey, running, or really anything outdoors, it’s all about that serotonin boost.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
I support my finance team, but having the privilege of an exceptional mentor and leader has been the most impactful part of developing others’ skills. I was fortunate to have strong support and guidance throughout my journey to becoming a professional.
I firmly believe that communication is the cornerstone of success. Setting clear expectations from the start and maintaining open lines of communication allows challenges to be addressed proactively and effectively as they arise.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Time management is essential, not just for studying, but in the workplace as well.
It’s okay to fail or make mistakes, as long as you learn from them and keep going. This isn’t a race; it’s a journey, and everyone experiences it in their own way. Be patient, and above all, be kind.
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
"Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.
Take risks they might be blessings"
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
Foster relationships based on trust and open communication, as you never know when they’ll be needed the most.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I enjoy learning about new sports, from the rules to the actual gameplay.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
Dealing with admin in a snap.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
Quick breaks of fresh air.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
The day I received my SAIPA professional evaluation results was truly unforgettable. I hadn’t expected to pass, and it felt like a miracle. I had lost a family member during my study leave and battled COVID during both my leave and the exam itself.
Dané reminds us that you don’t have to follow a traditional path to lead with impact. Her journey shows that clarity, communication, and courage matter more than titles. Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your setbacks into stepping stones and your profession into a platform for others.
Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
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