Karabo Kith Mahlaela, Property Accountant
Property Accountant
Current Experience:
Property Accountant at Strive Property Specialists · Full-time Sep 2024 - Present · (1 yr 1 mo)
Past Experience:
Accountant at Aucor Property · Full-time Oct 2022 - Aug 2024 · (1 yr 11 mos)
Accountant at Amava Group of Companies Full-time Feb 2021 to Oct 2022 · (1 yr 9 mos)
Trainee Accountant at Amava Group of Companies Contract Nov 2017 - Feb 2021 · (3 yrs 4 mos)
Accounts (Vac Work) at HR Focus Holdings (Pty) Ltd Nov 2016 - Feb 2017 · (4 mos)
Qualifications:
Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management, Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
“I treat every portfolio like a business, because it is.”
Karabo Kith Mahlaela doesn’t just manage numbers, he moves strategy.
From launching a smelter plant to managing high-stakes property portfolios, Karabo brings surgical focus, real-world business acumen, and an athlete’s mindset to everything he touches. Volleyball tournaments one weekend. Financial strategy meetings the next. He’s not just playing in two arenas; he’s winning in both.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
06:00 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 morning by reviewing my diary and planning out my day, all while enjoying my first shot of caffeine.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I’ve always been drawn to working with numbers and understanding how businesses operate. Accounting and finance give me the opportunity to strategically guide a business toward success while building the skills and knowledge needed to make informed decisions.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of my key career milestones was being part of the project team that took a smelter plant from concept to commissioning, eventually leading to the export of a highly niche product. I’ve also contributed to important strategic decisions across various entities. I tend to measure milestones by the strategic impact on the organization rather than personal achievements. I’m a team player and take greater satisfaction in celebrating the successes of the business as a whole rather than my own individual accomplishments.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
My role involves preparing monthly and annual financial reports, while ensuring the smooth operation of the financial functions across various client portfolios.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I approach each property portfolio as its own business unit, presenting financial reports in forums where strategic, operational, and investment decisions are made on behalf of the shareholders.
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 adapting to the diversity within the property industry. Moving between different segments required me to quickly adjust to varying requirements, all within a fast-paced environment.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I rely on the guidance of experienced mentors, which allows me to draw on knowledge and insights I haven’t yet gained personally, helping me manage financial operations more effectively.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I stay balanced by being methodical and focused, which helps me work efficiently. Occasionally, I’ll put in extra hours when deadlines demand it, but I make sure never to compromise on time spent with my family or on sporting activities.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I’m a competitive volleyball player and regularly participate in tournaments across the country and continent. It’s a great way for me to stay active, challenge myself, and recharge.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
I believe a team or company is only as strong as its weakest link. As a team player, I make it a priority to mentor and support others, helping them develop their skills and contribute effectively to the team’s success.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
You need to be highly versatile and adaptable. Don’t hesitate to get hands-on with complex tasks or challenging scenarios, these are the experiences that build your skills and accelerate your growth.
“The brain is like a muscle. never stop stimulating it.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is to always stay connected with your mentors and never be afraid to ask the right questions. Their guidance can elevate your career and help you reach great heights. But just as important is staying humble when you get there, because no matter how high you soar, it’s humility that keeps you grounded.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I am an aviation geek
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower for my job, it would be the ability to read the minds of key stakeholders, knowing their thoughts and intentions would make collaboration and decision-making far more effective.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is taking short coffee breaks to reset and recharge my focus.
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 the day I graduated. It was a defining moment that confirmed I was about to embark on the career I had always dreamed of.
Karabo’s story is a reminder: you don’t need to wear a suit to think like a CEO. Strategic. Adaptable. Never afraid to get his hands dirty.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your accounting job into a strategic career, just like Karabo.
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