Farheen Zaman-Mohamed, Assistant Manager
Assistant Manager
Current Experience:
Assistant Manager at Nexia SAB&T Aug 2024 - Present · (1 yr 4 mos)
Past Experiences:
SAIPA Trainee Accountant at Nexia SAB&T Jan 2022 - Aug 2024 · (2 yrs 8 mos)
Data Management Consultant at Department for International Development (DFID) · Contract Jan 2017 - Dec 2019 · (3 yrs)
Finance Officer at Cardno Emerging Markets Australia (Pty) Ltd · Part-time Jan 2015 - Dec 2015 · (1 yr)
Vacation Student at Moore South Africa · Internship Dec 2014 - Dec 2014 · (1 mo)
Finance Administrative Assistant at Sound Mining Solution · Part-time Jan 2013 - Dec 2014 · (2 yrs)
Qualifications:
BCom Accounting
Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accountant
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Farheen Zaman-Mohamed didn’t become an accountant by accident. Her journey from curious problem-solver to Assistant Manager at Nexia SABT is marked by grit, growth, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. She's not here to play small, she's here to lead, mentor, and change the game.
Like many business accountants in South Africa, Farheen faced imposter syndrome, pressure, and perfectionism. But she turned those internal battles into fuel, building systems, guiding teams, and driving client impact with sharp precision and a personal touch. Whether she's breaking down complex deliverables or baking a layered cake, Farheen’s strength lies in structure, creativity, and heart.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
09:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
In my first hour, I map out my day. I jot down a simple to-do list on my phone and start with a few quick tasks to build momentum and set the pace for the rest of the day.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
I’ve always enjoyed solving problems and working with detail, so when I explored different career options, accounting and finance felt like a natural fit. I’m especially interested in the analytical side of the work, digging into numbers, finding patterns, and using those insights to guide better decisions.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of the standout moments in my career was moving into the Assistant Manager role. I saw it as a chance to spot gaps, support the team, and improve how things were done. It taught me how much proactive problem-solving matters and how a supportive leader can influence the people around them.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
My role covers a wide range of responsibilities that support both the company’s financial health and our clients. I handle annual financial statements, accounting work, payroll, and all tax and VAT obligations. A big part of what I do is making sure clients stay compliant with the relevant legislation and meet their statutory deadlines.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I’m often the main point of contact for clients, handling their questions and requests while making sure they get complete and reliable support. I take a very attentive approach to my work, focusing on accuracy and detail, which helps keep everything running smoothly and supports the business’s wider financial goals.
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 dealing with imposter syndrome. It’s that quiet doubt that creeps in even when your work shows you’re capable. For me, it showed up as pressure, overthinking, and feeling like I wasn’t meeting the unrealistic standards I set for myself.
What helped was shifting my focus to the results I’ve achieved, the projects I’ve delivered, the positive feedback I’ve received, and the progress I’ve made in both my career and studies. It’s an ongoing process, and some days are tougher than others, but recognising and celebrating those wins has played a big role in building my confidence.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I break larger deliverables into smaller, manageable tasks and track them per client, which helps me stay consistent and avoid missing important details. I also rely on calendar reminders to keep follow-ups on schedule so nothing slips through the cracks.
Email management is another big part of my approach. Handling quick emails as they come in keeps my inbox under control and stops small tasks from piling up and becoming a bigger problem later.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
When things get busy, staying balanced is important for keeping a clear head. I make a point of taking short breaks to reset, even if it’s just to stretch my legs. I also bring snacks to share with colleagues, it keeps everyone going and adds a bit of light, friendly interaction during the day.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy a mix of activities that help me unwind and keep a healthy balance. Reading is my go-to escape, it gives me space to relax and switch off. I also love cooking and baking. They give me a creative outlet that feels completely different from the analytical side of my job. There’s something really satisfying about making something with your hands and seeing (and tasting) the final result.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
I’m a strong supporter of helping my colleagues grow, especially the junior team members. I’ve found that practical, hands-on learning works best, so I introduced a training approach that encourages collaboration and shared learning.
For the first quarter, we’ve scheduled two training sessions each week. A junior team member leads each session, and I step in as a co-facilitator to guide them and fill in any gaps. It helps them understand the material better while also building their confidence and presentation skills. As Einstein said, if you can explain something clearly, you truly understand it.
Mentoring is incredibly rewarding for me, especially when I can see real improvement in someone’s skills and performance.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
For anyone aiming to build a career in finance, there are a few principles I’ve found valuable. Stay curious and open to new challenges instead of turning them down. The more areas of the finance department you’re exposed to, the stronger your foundation becomes.
Try to work through problems on your own before asking for help, it builds confidence and sharpens your problem-solving skills. Keep learning by reading relevant articles and staying updated on new regulations and industry changes, because the field evolves quickly.
Most importantly, don’t limit yourself. The “glass ceiling” can often be a mindset. You can go further than you think if you’re willing to push past those self-imposed boundaries.
“Accuracy is not a virtue, but a necessity.”
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 that not every problem needs an immediate response. Often, the smartest approach is to pause, gather information, and plan your next steps carefully before taking action.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me is that I love to travel, whether it’s visiting new destinations or trying out a new restaurant. I find that these experiences help broaden my perspective and inspire me in different ways.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
While predicting financial trends or mastering multitasking would be amazing, I’d choose the ability to clone myself. It would let me attend multiple client meetings at once, analyse complex data in parallel, or mentor junior team members while wrapping up a critical report. In finance, time is incredibly valuable, and being able to multiply myself would be the ultimate productivity boost.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
To stay productive during long workdays, I make a point of stepping away from the screen in small intervals and finding moments of humor, a quick chat or a shared laugh. These little breaks help reduce stress and keep me balanced, making it easier to handle a heavy workload.
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 in my career, it would be the day I received my results from the SAIPA professional evaluation exam. That moment marked the culmination of years of late nights, focused study, and dedication to my profession. Seeing the title “Professional Accountant (SA)” next to my name wasn’t just a designation, it was the fulfilment of a long-held dream and a recognition of all the hard work and sacrifices along the way. The sense of achievement and excitement for what lay ahead made that day unforgettable.
Farheen’s story reminds us that accounting isn’t just about numbers, it’s about ownership. Owning your role. Owning your impact. Owning your voice, even when doubt creeps in.
If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong, if you’ve ever second-guessed your skills, read this twice:
You’re already doing the work. Now claim the title.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your expertise into confidence, your compliance into income, and your career into a legacy.
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