Leonie Stander, Finance Manager
Finance Manager
Current Experience:
Finance Manager at NviroTek Laboratories · Full-time Oct 2017 - Present · (8 yrs 5 mos)
Past Experience:
Accountant at Brose Group May 2016 - Sep 2017 · (1 yr 5 mos)
Accountant at Bigen Africa Jan 2016 - Apr 2016 · (4 mos)
Accountant at Buco Brits Mar 2013 - Dec 2015 · (2 yrs 10 mos)
Accountant at Buco Rustenburg Jan 2011 - Mar 2013 · (2 yrs 3 mos)
Admin Manager at Selous Farming Limited, Tanzania May 2010 - Nov 2010 · (7 mos)
Store Accountant at Timbercity Rustenburg Sep 2008 - Apr 2010 · (1 yr 8 mos)
Assiatant Regulatory Accountant at African Bank Investments Limited Nov 2006 - Aug 2008 · (1 yr 10 mos)
Education:
Diploma in Management Accountant
Certificate in Business Accountant
BCom Financial Management Services
Course in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
She didn’t plan on becoming an accountant.
A bursary application “by accident” led Leonie Stander into finance, and 10+ years later, she’s leading a nine-person finance team across three locations.
From banking to retail, manufacturing to agriculture, Leonie believes one thing: a day without learning is a day wasted.
As Financial Manager, she doesn’t just compile budgets and analyse variances, she provides the numbers that drive real business decisions. And she does it while building relationships, mentoring her team, and learning (daily) how to set better boundaries.
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 start my morning with some time for studying and quiet reflection or meditation to help set a focused and positive tone for the day.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
My interest in accounting began somewhat by chance. The company I was working for offered bursaries for business-related studies, and I applied for a B.Com degree, which ultimately set me on the path into finance.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
I’ve had the opportunity to work across several sectors, including banking, retail, manufacturing, and now agriculture, and each experience has helped shape both my past and present. I strongly believe that every day is an opportunity to learn something new. I also place great value on building meaningful relationships and maintaining strong professional networks throughout my career.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I lead the finance department, overseeing a team of nine people across three different geographical locations
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I am responsible for compiling the budget and performing variance analysis to monitor financial performance. I also provide accurate financial information that supports both day-to-day operational decisions and long-term strategic planning within the business.
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 managing my time effectively while also setting clear boundaries. I am still working on improving this, and it remains an ongoing area of personal development.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I rely heavily on the support of my excellent team and the use of Excel, which is an essential tool in helping me manage and analyse financial information efficiently.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
During busy periods, I make a point of stepping away from my desk occasionally, even if it’s just for a short break outside to clear my mind and reset for a few minutes.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy reading and bird watching, which help me relax and recharge.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
I am still learning the art of mentoring, but I see it as an important part of my role as a manager. My responsibility is to support my team by giving them the tools, guidance, and environment they need to perform their work effectively. I also aim to create a safe space where team members can develop their skills, take calculated risks, and share their thoughts openly when needed.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Developing strong technical skills and having perseverance are important, but it’s just as vital to value people and relationships. In the end, finance work is still about supporting others and contributing to something bigger than the numbers alone.
“This too shall pass. It may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass!”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
A valuable leadership lesson for me has been to under-promise and over-deliver whenever possible. I’ve also learned that people are different and should not all be managed in the same way. Taking a more personal approach and showing occasional flexibility can go a long way in building strong, positive working relationships.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio? A hobby, interest, or fun fact?
I really enjoy baking and cooking in my spare time.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be? Predicting financial trends? Master multitasking?
To be a quick thinker during meetings.
I tend to process information more slowly during discussions, so I usually need some time to think things through before responding. I often come up with the best ideas or witty answers long after a meeting has ended. Because of this, I make sure to prepare thoroughly for important meetings by anticipating possible questions and planning my responses in advance.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I stay productive during long workdays by taking regular short breaks and making sure I stay hydrated.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
No specific day stands out to me. I believe it’s important to value the moments you have with colleagues you enjoy working with, because once someone leaves or you move on, the relationship naturally changes and you can’t recreate the same shared understanding you once had.
Leonie’s mantra?
“This too shall pass. It may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.”
Finance leadership isn’t just about technical skill. It’s about people. Boundaries. Grit. Preparation. And sometimes standing under a tree for ten minutes just to breathe.
Her advice is simple: under promise, over deliver, and never manage people as if they’re all the same.
Because in the end, numbers matter. But relationships build careers.
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