Dylan Naicker, Senior Accountant
Senior Accountant
Current Experience:Senior Accountant at KPMG South Africa Oct 2024 - Present · (9 mos)
PAST EXPERIENCES:Senior Audit Trainee at KPMG South Africa Jan 2024 - Oct 2024 · (10 mos)
University of Cape Town Academic Trainee
Full-time Jan 2023 - Dec 2023 · (1 yr)
Qualifications:Bcom Accounting
Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
Country of Residence:South Africa
LinkedIn Profile: Meet Dylan Naicker, a driven Senior Accountant at KPMG Johannesburg with a deep passion for numbers and people. From his early love for solving accounting problems in high school to completing his articles and excelling as a leader on audit teams, Dylan is all about precision, mentorship, and finding smarter ways to deliver results.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
9:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
Preparing for a gym session and catching up on recent sports highlights.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My interest in accounting started in high school, and I’ve always enjoyed solving accounting-related problems.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Earning my degrees, passing the ITC board exam and finishing my first year of articles as an academic trainee at the University of Cape Town.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I'm a Senior Accountant.
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 managing consistent client demands alongside tight deadlines. To handle this, my team and I implemented internal deadlines that were challenging yet realistic. This helped us stay on track without becoming overwhelmed, allowing us to perform efficiently and keep the audit process running smoothly.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy both watching and playing sports. Soccer and cricket are my favourites to play, and I’m a big fan of watching soccer, cricket, rugby, and Formula 1, I’m even part of the Tifosi. I also play the guitar, so in my downtime, I like to learn new songs and challenge myself musically.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Yes, as a senior member of my audit team, I mentor junior staff by offering the same guidance and support I once received from my own managers. I also emphasize the importance of taking breaks and setting boundaries, especially during the busy audit season, to help them maintain a healthier work-life balance while developing their professional skills.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, it’s one of the quickest ways to learn, and in most cases, your team will be happy to help. Always look for ways to improve. This mindset not only helps you work more efficiently but also shows your growth, which is something senior team members really value.
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, don’t hesitate to ask questions early on. The sooner you start learning, the sooner you can start building your own version of success.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I taught myself to play the guitar when I was 16, it’s been a creative outlet for me ever since.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower, it would definitely be the ability to multitask effortlessly.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy is to create a to-do list and check off tasks as I complete them. It’s a great way to stay organized and see the progress I’m making throughout the day.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
If I could relive one day from my career, it would be my first day as a third-year trainee. That day was special because I realized I could take on a more managerial role, boost the team’s morale, and introduce better ways to manage the team, which led to more positive results.
Whether he’s mentoring juniors, tuning his guitar, or cheering for Ferrari in Formula 1, Dylan brings dedication and energy to everything he does. His story is a reminder that growth comes from grit, learning, and staying grounded, even when the pressure is on.
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
