Loshini Thaver, Senior Accountant
Senior Accountant
Current Experience:Accounting Bookkeeper at Moore Johannesburg · Full-time Jan 2018 - Present · (7 yrs 6 mos)
PAST EXPERIENCES:Bookkeeper at Moore Stephens South Africa Jan 2018 - Sep 2019 · (1 yr 9 mos)
Country of Residence:South Africa
LinkedIn Profile: Meet Loshini Thaver, a dedicated Senior Accountant with over seven years of experience and a passion for precision and problem-solving. After a significant career break to focus on her family, Loshini made a courageous return to the corporate world at 47, adapting quickly to the changes in accounting practices.
She now leads her accounting team with a focus on VAT management, cash flow optimization, and ensuring her clients receive their rightful SARS refunds. Her commitment to continuous learning and team development, combined with her love for numbers and order, sets her apart as a leader and mentor.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
6:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
Checking my phone.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I’ve always loved Accounting, even back in high school. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so there’s something deeply satisfying about getting everything to reconcile. I’ve been working with money since I was 16, starting out as a cashier, and that experience only deepened my interest in the field.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
I was a stay-at-home mom from 2000 to 2016, and after going through a divorce, I made the decision to re-enter the corporate world at the age of 47. It was a daunting step, a lot had changed in the accounting field since I last worked, but I knew this is where I belong.
On a personal note, one of my proudest milestones as a mom is that my son will be completing his community service as a doctor in 2025. That fills me with immense pride.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I’m a Senior Accountant currently leading the accounting team. One area I particularly enjoy is VAT, especially handling import VAT refunds. I take pride in making sure my clients receive their full SARS refunds without any adjustments.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I help my clients manage their cash flow by ensuring all VAT returns are submitted to SARS on time, meeting audit deadlines, and making sure they receive their refunds without delays.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
In 2024, I faced a challenging situation involving one of my international clients. SARS initiated a special audit for VAT periods I had already submitted and cleared through standard VAT audits. The process was further complicated by a language barrier, as my client did not speak English and all supporting documents and contracts were in a foreign language.
Despite these obstacles, I successfully managed the audit process and secured over R19 million in VAT refunds for my client, along with six months’ interest. It was a complex but rewarding experience that highlighted the importance of persistence, accuracy, and clear communication.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
Tracking expenses, creating budgets, and using accounting software to automate processes and ensure accurate record-keeping.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I often listen to music to unwind and relieve stress.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I’m a big K-pop fan who loves dancing and listening to music. Cooking is another passion of mine that I really enjoy.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
I enjoy developing my team’s skills by training them on accounting and VAT-related topics, and by showing them alternative or easier methods to help meet their work deadlines more effectively.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
You need a passion for numbers and a strong curiosity to learn about new innovations and stay ahead of changes. Planning is essential to meet your deadlines. Let’s make accounting great again!
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
“You got this 💪”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
The most important leadership lesson I’ve learned is that it’s not about you. Effective communication is key to building a strong team.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I’m a huge fan of BTS, the Korean K-pop group.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
I think having the superpower to create a duplicate of myself would be amazing, that way, I could attend two meetings at once.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
Take short breaks and step away from your desk. When you return with a clear mind, you’ll often find the solution you were looking for.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
I always get excited to meet my clients in person. Since most of them are international, we usually communicate via email or Teams meetings, so it’s a special and rewarding experience when they visit South Africa and take the time to meet me and express their thanks.
Loshini’s story reminds us: it’s never too late to start again and make your mark. Join CIBA and connect with professionals like her who are reshaping what accounting looks like, one accurate reconciliation at a time.
Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
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