Helena McIntyre, Financial Accountant
Financial Accountant
Current Experience:
Financial Accountant at NAM | Newlyn Asset Management · Full-time Jan 2025 - Present · (11 mos)
Past Experiences:
Accountant at Lourens & Bezuidenhout Inc. · Full-time Oct 2006 - Jan 2025 · (18 yrs 4 mos)
Lecturer at Centurion Academy -Klerksdorp, Wilkoppies Jan 2017 - Oct 2022 · (5 yrs 10 mos)
Senior Bookkeeper at LB Attorneys Aug 2007 - Oct 2022 · (15 yrs 3 mos)
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree Business Administration
Diploma in Financial Accounting
Professional Certificate in drafting Financial Statements
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Meet Helena McIntyre, The Orchid-Growing, Tax-Taming Powerhouse Behind the Numbers
She’s not just balancing books, she’s balancing ten companies, an orchid collection, and a personal side hustle teaching accounting. From law firm veteran to financial lead in a mine-and-farm portfolio, Helena McIntyre doesn’t wait for structure, she builds it. Her superpower? Turning chaos into calm, spreadsheets into strategy, and pressure into performance.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
07:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I usually start my morning with some exercise.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I’ve always had a natural understanding and love for accounting, and it was a subject I excelled in throughout school.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of my key career milestones was working as a part-time lecturer in Financial Accounting at Centurion College, where I discovered how much I enjoy teaching the subject. That experience inspired me to start my own small side business offering extra accounting classes to students. Another highlight was achieving full marks in my 2024 year-end Financial Accounting exams, a moment that reaffirmed my passion and dedication to the field.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I work as a Financial Accountant, managing the financial responsibilities of about ten companies. My role includes everything from invoicing and payments to recording all transactions and preparing the accounts up to trial balance.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I prepare monthly management reports that are reviewed and discussed in meetings, helping to guide strategic decisions for the business.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
After working as an accountant at a law firm for 18 years, I transitioned to an asset management company that oversees mines, farms, plant hire, and other businesses. The biggest challenge was adjusting to a less structured environment compared to what I was used to. To manage this, I focused on planning my days carefully and improving my time management to stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I regularly discuss ideas and approaches with my Financial Executive to get his input and ensure we’re managing the company’s financial operations effectively.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I listen to calming music and take short five-minute breaks to reset and refocus when things get busy.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
I enjoy reading and listening to audiobooks while spending time in my garden. I have a collection of orchids that I love taking care of, and it’s always rewarding to see them bloom.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
Not at the moment. Since I’m still new to the team, my colleagues have been the ones supporting me as I settle into the role.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
I would recommend obtaining an accounting qualification and gaining hands-on experience through shadowing to understand the inner workings of a finance department.
“Time waits for no one. You might as well start today!”
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 there’s always something to learn from others, and it’s important to take advantage of those opportunities.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me is that I love sewing and working with fabrics. I’m quite skilled at making backpacks, handbags, and bedding.
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 master multitasking and produce even more efficient reporting.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is to tackle the tedious or less enjoyable tasks first, so they’re out of the way.
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 suggested setting aside funds monthly to ease the pressure of paying provisional tax. When the next payment was due, I had the pleasure of telling my boss that we had not only saved enough but even had a little extra. Seeing the relief on his face was incredibly satisfying and gave me the confidence to make further suggestions to shape the company’s financial strategy.
Helena is proof that accountants aren’t just calculators, they’re creators, coaches, and confidence-builders. Whether you’re managing ten clients or ten crises, her journey reminds us that success doesn’t come from titles, it comes from tenacity, trust, and taking initiative.
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