Iris Chokwe, Assistant Director Management Accountant
Assistant Director Management Accountant
Current Experience:
Assistant Director Management Accounting at Sedibeng Tvet College · Full-time Aug 2021 - Present · (4 yrs 5 mos)
Past Experiences:
Senior Auditor at Nexia SAB&T Oct 2014 - Jul 2022 · (7 yrs 10 mos)
Audit Supervisor at tOMC Chartered Accountant Apr 2021 - Jul 2021 · (4 mos)
Assistant Director Internal Audit at Department of Correctional Services Feb 2016 - Feb 2020 · (4 yrs 1 mo)
Senior state Accountant at Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Jun 2015 - Jan 2016 · (8 mos)
Senior State Accountant at COGTA Jun 2015 - Jan 2016 · (8 mos)
Senior Auditor at Rakoma and Associates Inc. Jan 2014 - Jul 2014 · (7 mos)
Trainee at Auditor-General of South Africa Jan 2009 - Dec 2013 · (5 yrs)
Qualifications:
Master of Business Administration
Bachelor’s Degree Accounting and Finance
Postgraduate Degree Teacher Education
Postgraduate Degree Business Administration and Management
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Iris Mosima Maekela has spent over a decade inside South Africa’s public sector finance environment, where pressure is constant, systems are imperfect, and leadership isn’t optional. From internal audit to management accounting, from procurement oversight to mentoring young professionals, Iris represents a generation of finance leaders who keep institutions functioning long before they’re ever recognised.
She is disciplined, values-driven, and unapologetically human, an early riser, a netball player, a mentor, and a “people’s person” who believes that leadership is about lifting others as you rise.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
06:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I usually spend the first hour of my morning reading emails and catching up on work and school.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
I’ve always enjoyed working with numbers, which is what sparked my interest in accounting and finance.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
I have built a career spanning over 15 years in finance and accounting, with experience across auditing, taxation, management accounting, and governance. A defining milestone was qualifying as a Professional Accountant (SA) and registering as a General Tax Practitioner, which strengthened my professional foundation and credibility.
My career growth into leadership roles has been significant, including my current position as Assistant Director of Management Accounting at the Department of Higher Education and Training within Sedibeng TVET College. Prior to this, I served as Assistant Director of Internal Audit at the Department of Correctional Services and worked as an Audit Assistant Manager for a national department, where I was responsible for audit engagements and governance frameworks.
Another key milestone has been my involvement in governance and procurement processes. I serve as Chairperson of the Specification Committees and as a member of the Bid Evaluation Committee, ensuring compliance, sound financial management, and accountability in tender and budget decisions.
On the academic and development side, I am currently pursuing an MBA in Finance, have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management, and participated in the Executive Leadership Programme with Duke CE and Fasset. These experiences have shaped my strategic thinking and leadership approach.
Research and mentorship have also played an important role in my career. I authored an article for SAIGA Magazine in 2024 and am currently conducting research on staff absenteeism in higher education and TVET colleges. Alongside this, I actively mentor young professionals through the International Women’s Forum Alumni programme and support students with financial aid and academic guidance.
Together, these milestones reflect a career grounded in finance expertise, leadership, governance, and a strong commitment to developing others.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I manage the budgeting function within the finance department
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by ensuring strong compliance, providing clear financial leadership, and working closely with stakeholders through effective collaboration and reporting to support sound financial decision-making.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?8
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been working with difficult clients. I overcame this by applying strong conflict-management skills, staying professional, and focusing on clear communication, which allowed me to complete my tasks successfully.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I rely on tools such as the SAP system, Fincom reports, and a structured daily diary to track tasks, monitor financial data, and ensure operations run smoothly.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I stay balanced by managing my time carefully, prioritising tasks, and planning ahead, especially during busy periods.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
I’m very sporty and enjoy playing netball. Spending time with my family also helps me relax and recharge outside of work.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
Yes, I support the development of other team members by encouraging and participating in seminars and conferences that help build their skills and knowledge.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
I would advise focusing on leadership, perseverance, and teamwork as key skills for success in finance.
“Lift as I rise”
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 things often seem impossible until they’re done. No matter the obstacles, it’s important to persevere and never give up.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me is that I’m a real people person and enjoy connecting with others.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have a superpower to help me in my job, it would be the ability to have unlimited patience and perseverance.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
To stay productive during long workdays, I rely on coffee and listening to music.
Iris’s journey reflects a truth many finance professionals know too well: progress is earned through patience, perseverance, and showing up every day, even when recognition comes late.
In a profession that demands accuracy under pressure and leadership without applause, that mindset matters.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your experience, leadership, and resilience into professional recognition that actually works for you.
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
