Katedi Papo, Financial Accountant
Financial Accountant
Current Experience:Financial Accountant at Nando's South Africa · Full-time Dec 2024 - Present · (5 mos)
PAST EXPERIENCES:Auditor-General of South Africa Assistant Audit Manager Full-time Apr 2023 - Dec 2024 · (1 yr 9 mos)
Audit Senior Full-time Feb 2021 - Apr 2023 · (2 yrs 3 mos)
Qualifications:Bcom Accounting
Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting
Country of Residence:South Africa
LinkedIn Profile: In our mission to build a strong accounting community in South Africa, Accounting Weekly highlights the journeys of accountants who make an impact in their field. This edition features Katedi Papo, a financial accountant with 6-7 years of experience, recognized for his dedication to financial integrity, leadership in transitioning from audit to finance, and his commitment to continuous learning and development.
Katedi, an early riser, begins his mornings with preparation for work and a focused routine. Outside of work, he enjoys hitting the gym to stay active, with a strong passion for maintaining balance in both his career and personal life. On weekends, he values quality time with family and unwinds by exploring local trips and enjoying good meals.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
7:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I used to hit the gym from 5:30 to 6:30 or 6:00 to 7:00 in the mornings, but since starting my new role at Nando’s, I’ve shifted my workouts to after work. These days, my mornings are mostly spent getting ready for the day ahead.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
Back in high school, I developed a real passion for debits and credits. I was especially drawn to the saying, “what you do on the left, you do on the right.” The structure and logic of financial statements fascinated me, and that curiosity sparked my desire to dive deeper into accounting.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Finally passing CTA at Monash University after three and a half attempts.
Passing APC on my first try, which affirmed my belief in my strengths. From the beginning of the year, I was confident I’d succeed because APC focuses on application over theory, exactly where I excel.
Earning my CA(SA) designation and being promoted to Assistant Audit Manager.
Consistently performing at a high level and being recognized nearly every quarter, those moments reminded me that I truly have the potential to achieve great things.
Making a successful transition from Audit to Finance by landing a role in Nando’s Finance Division, a move that’s often challenging, especially when coming from the public sector audit space.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I’m the Financial Accountant responsible for both the Restaurants and Statutory functions. On the restaurant support side, I handle tasks such as budgeting and period-end reporting. On the statutory side, I work closely with my line manager to prepare the Annual Financial Statements and oversee the annual audit process. While my role is quite broad, this is a high-level overview of my key responsibilities.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute to the financial strategy by preparing and analyzing financial statements, developing budgets, and closely monitoring performance against them. I also manage weekly cash reporting, analyzing bank movements to ensure we meet our daily, weekly, and monthly obligations. A key part of my role is supporting the restaurants, because ultimately, we’re here to enable their success and drive the growth and sustainability of the Nando’s brand.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of my biggest challenges has been stepping into a completely new environment adjusting to new systems, unfamiliar processes, and the shift from audit to being “on the other side” of finance. Thankfully, my line manager has been incredibly supportive in helping me adapt. What’s helped me most is embracing a mindset of continuous learning. Regardless of qualifications, there’s always room to grow. I’ve committed myself to understanding this new space, learning how things work, and developing the skills needed to thrive in this role.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I’m responsible for managing the weekly cash flow, budgeting and forecasting, and monitoring stock and inventory levels. I also support restaurant operations by ensuring there’s sufficient cash available to keep things running smoothly across all locations.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
Gym, gym, gym! It’s my go-to for staying energized and positive. It keeps me grounded, especially when I remind myself that once everything is done, I can enjoy a nice lunch or dinner out to unwind. On weekends, I make it a priority to take a full day to disconnect from work completely and spend quality time with myself and my family.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
The gym is essential for keeping me grounded, and I love unwinding by going out for lunch or dinner. When I can, I take local trips to relax and recharge. And every now and then, a night out also does the trick to lift my spirits.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Currently, I don’t mentor anyone as we work in a small team, but during my time in audit, I did. I made it a priority to regularly check in on their well-being and ensure they were supported. I also focused on transferring skills and knowledge, always approaching mentoring with patience and a genuine desire to help them grow.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Analytical and critical thinking skills are essential, and these are two key areas that SAICA evaluates in prospective CAs. When tackling a task, it’s important to think creatively, introduce new ideas, and dedicate time to fully understanding what you're doing. This critical analysis ensures that your work makes sense and adds value to the company you're contributing to.
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
"Be the change you wish to see in the world!"While it’s debated whether Gandhi actually said this exact phrase, I love how it resonates and it holds even more personal meaning for me when expressed this way.
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
You don’t wait to be chosen to lead; you take initiative, even when you're not officially the leader of a group or team. One key factor in my career progression has been that I don’t wait to be called on, I step up myself. I raise my hand at every opportunity, show up, give my best, and always aim to leave a lasting impression.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I used to be quite a skilled soccer player when I was younger and even received awards for it. But if you saw me today, you’d never guess it.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
Exceptional analytical skills, with the ability to grasp concepts instantly and retain them permanently.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
Staying hydrated and taking short walks throughout the day. One effective strategy I used in the past was engaging in technical discussions with the team, as it keeps the mind alert, stimulates active thinking, and provides a mental refresh.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
The day I received my SAICA APC results and the confirmation that I had qualified as a CA was truly unforgettable. It marked the moment when all the hard work paid off, and a new chapter filled with endless opportunities began. What an incredible moment to relive.
Katedi's journey is a testament to his dedication to financial excellence, his growth from audit to finance, and his passion for continuous learning. His commitment to personal development and leadership shines through in every step of his career. Connect with Katedi on LinkedIn to follow his path and achievements.
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