Irene Schulze, Professional Accountant
Professional Accountant
Current Experience:
Professional Accountant at Vero Accounting and Advisory · Self-employed May 2025 - Present · (7 mos)
Past Experiences:
Professional Accountant at Advoca Auditing · Full-time Oct 2022 - Apr 2025 · (2 yrs 7 mos)
Accountant at GKL Auditors Jan 2020 - Oct 2022 · (2 yrs 10 mos)
Accounting Clerk at Odendaal Marias Auditors · Full-time May 2018 - Dec 2019 · (1 yr 8 mos)
Qualifications:
BCom Accounting and Finance
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Irene Schulze didn’t just survive mid-articles relocations, pandemic upheaval, and outdated software, she levelled up through them. Her journey from learning accounting the manual way to leading financial strategy for clients is packed with quiet wins and bold choices. She’s not holding back about the decision-making pressure, the burnout, or the dreams that still drive her.
This is the kind of raw, real story we started Accounting Weekly to tell.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
08:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I start my day with a cup of coffee while going through my emails.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My grandmother was a bookkeeper, and I always looked up to her growing up. Accounting also happened to be my best subject in school, so choosing it as a career felt natural and straightforward.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Built a strong foundation in transaction processing, reconciliations, tax calculations, and preparing financial statements.
Learned resilience and precision by working without modern accounting software, which helped me appreciate the fundamentals of the profession.
Relocated mid-articles, a major life change that tested my adaptability while allowing me to continue growing professionally.
Gained valuable experience in auditing and review work, which sharpened my technical and analytical abilities.
Completed the Project Achiever program, passed the SAIPA professional exam, and registered as a Professional Accountant and Tax Practitioner, one of my proudest achievements.
Stepped into the role of internal accountant after the sudden passing of a senior colleague during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reached a point in my career where I began considering new directions, either starting my own accounting practice or transitioning into business accounting.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I prepare financial statements, manage tax and regulatory compliance, and oversee various accounting tasks for a portfolio of clients. I also mentor junior audit staff, helping them strengthen their understanding of accounting principles.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I prepare management accounts for clients, which they use to guide and inform their strategic financial decisions.
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 has been reaching the growth ceiling in my current role. I’ve really valued the range of work and experience I’ve gained, but management has been clear that the accounting department won’t grow in the same way as the audit side. This meant there was no opportunity to move into an accounting manager position or lead a team, something I’ve been working toward.
To deal with this, I took the initiative to speak openly with management about the firm’s plans and to confirm what growth opportunities were available. While it was disappointing to hear that there weren’t any, those conversations gave me the clarity I needed to think about my next steps.
Now, I’m weighing two possible paths: starting my own accounting practice, where I can build something of my own and create opportunities for others, or moving into business accounting to gain a broader perspective while balancing family life with my husband.
It’s been a difficult but valuable period of reflection, and I’m confident that whichever direction I take, it will help me continue growing both professionally and personally.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I use Xero and Syft to manage financial operations effectively. I focus on accuracy, timeliness, and organization, and make sure communication stays clear and consistent to keep everything running smoothly.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
Planning is the main way I stay balanced during busy times. I set clear priorities and manage my time carefully to get everything done without feeling overloaded.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
I like staying active by working out with my husband, it’s a nice way for us to unwind and spend time together. I also enjoy sewing, though I usually only get the chance to do it during the long December holidays.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
Yes, I mentor and support team members in the finance department, mainly by helping junior staff strengthen their understanding of accounting principles. I try to create a supportive learning environment where they feel comfortable asking questions. I walk them through practical tasks, explain the reasoning behind each step, and encourage them to think analytically and independently.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice for anyone aiming to work in a finance department is to first decide whether you’re more interested in audit or accounting, as each has its own challenges and rewards. Knowing your path early will help you focus on building the right skills. It’s important to develop strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, and a solid grasp of core financial principles.
“Growth begins at the end of your comfort zone”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
One important leadership lesson I’ve learned is to lead by example. Your actions, whether staying organized, meeting deadlines, or keeping a positive attitude, set the standard for the rest of the team.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
A fun fact about me that isn’t in my professional bio is that I sewed my own wedding dress.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
I’d choose the ability to read minds. Knowing what clients and colleagues are thinking would make communication smoother, decisions more aligned, and problem-solving quicker.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I stay productive during long workdays by breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps and taking short breaks in between.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
The day I passed my professional exam stands out the most. It was made even more special by my firm at the time, they surprised me with flowers, and we celebrated together. It felt like the perfect way to mark both an ending and the start of an exciting new chapter in my career.
Feeling stuck in your current role? Irene’s story proves you’re not alone, and not out of options. Whether you’re weighing your next move or mentoring the next generation, her reflections remind us that growth sometimes means walking away from what’s comfortable.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to break past career ceilings and build what’s next on your terms.
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
