Lunga Khawula, Management Accountant
Management Accountant
Current Experience:Management Accountant at AEMFC · Full-time Apr 2023 - Present · (2 yrs 3 mos)
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES:Deputy Director: Financial Reporting at KZN Treasury Full-time Aug 2020 - May 2023 · (2 yrs 10 mos)
Internal Control Officer
at KZN Treasury Contract Jan 2018 - Aug 2020 · (2 yrs 8 mos)
Qualifications:Bcom Accounting
Country of Residence:South Africa
LinkedIn Profile: Meet Lunga Khawula CA(SA), a Cost Management Accountant at AEMFC SOC Ltd. From rural roots to executive influence, Lunga's story is one of grit, ambition, and transformation. He traded a science background for the complexities of accounting, and never looked back.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
4:15 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
Meditation and going to the gym.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
Accounting was a compulsory subject at my school, even though I was a science student. From my very first lesson in Grade 10, I was drawn to the challenge and complexity of accounting entries, I actually enjoyed it more than any of my science subjects. That’s when I set my sights on excelling in accounting, with the goal of becoming a CA(SA). My matric results confirmed that I had made the right choice, and I’ve never looked back since.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
There have been many key moments, but one of the most defining was passing my Honours while working full-time, and often overtime. It was the most demanding period of my journey to becoming a CA. I was covering my own tuition on a very low salary, so the pressure was intense. But I knew that if I made it through that stage, the CA designation was within reach, and that kept me going. Another major milestone was finally qualifying as a CA and being promoted to Deputy Director of Financial Reporting, which was a dream come true.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I’m a Cost Management Accountant. My role involves advising executives on capital project investments and partnership opportunities by assessing value for money, conducting price and financial analysis, market research, and calculating metrics like NPV, IRR, and WACC. I also handle asset and tax management, evaluate supply chain processes, and prepare technical reports on complex accounting transactions.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I support the business’s financial strategy by ensuring full compliance with all relevant legislation, including the Companies Act, PFMA, Tax Act, IFRS, and supply chain regulations. I help align finance policies with legal requirements and make sure they’re properly implemented. I also follow up on audit findings, both internal and external, by addressing issues and strengthening any weaknesses in our controls. A big part of my role involves daily monitoring and improving internal controls, particularly around expenditure. I also work closely with the CFO, providing the support needed to meet daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual targets
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was stepping into a role that wasn’t clearly defined. At the same time, my principal had just joined the company and was still finding their footing, which created uncertainty and a lack of direction across the team. I don’t thrive in environments without proper governance, whether that’s unclear HR policies or the absence of clear performance targets. I had to reassess my career goals and have an honest conversation with my principal about shifting direction, which they supported. That year’s performance was poor overall. However, about a year later, a new principal was appointed, someone who brought strong leadership, technical skill, and strategic clarity, and the unit’s performance improved significantly.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
To manage financial operations effectively, I rely on tools like ChatGPT, the Microsoft Office suite, Google, YouTube, and business books, one of my favourites is Masters of Money by KC Rottok Chesaina. I also place a lot of value on mentorship, regularly connecting with peers and seeking guidance from senior professionals when needed.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
To stay balanced during busy periods, I plan my week ahead of time and write it down, picturing myself checking off each task. I also create a daily plan and visualize completing everything on my list. I set aside time for reviews to reduce risk and make sure I ask about important decisions to keep them practical. To minimize interruptions, I limit phone use and let my team and principals know that I’m available by appointment only during busy stretches. At the end of each month, I reflect on my work to spot areas for improvement and identify tasks I can delegate to help others grow. I also look for new projects that can support career development.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy exercising and taking part in fun runs on weekends, like Parkruns. I also like going for walks in the park, which I use as a time for meditation, and I spend time reading a variety of books.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
I mentor both formally and informally. I regularly share my own journey with colleagues, encouraging them to believe that the sky’s the limit and emphasizing the importance of resilience during challenging times. Sharing how I navigate my career, and my general approach often inspires and motivates others.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Be open to exploring different areas within finance because there’s a lot you can do in this field. Keep learning by reading regularly, and be prepared to work extra hours when needed. Embrace technology and look for ways to simplify and improve how tasks are done. Every company needs finance specialists, so there are plenty of opportunities. The key is to stay up-to-date with developments like artificial intelligence and be willing to learn, relearn, and grow continuously.
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
“The key to change is to focus all your energy not on resisting the old, but on creating the new.” — Socrates
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
One valuable leadership lesson I've learned is to keep reading, reflecting, and revisiting ideas. Many solutions to our challenges have already been written down in books.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I enjoy soft music, and I love singing and dancing.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
The ability to innovate.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is making sure I get enough rest, having a clear and simple plan, and staying motivated to get things done.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
If I could relive one day in my career, it would be my first day at my current job, which is with a coal mining company, close enough to gold mining. I’ve always been fascinated by Johannesburg, the “City of Gold” and a place full of opportunity. I was excited to see a raw piece of gold. The trip to Johannesburg was one of the best experiences for me, especially coming from a small rural area, and seeing so many people was truly thrilling.
From mentoring peers to driving investment decisions in a state-owned mining giant, Lunga proves that strategic clarity and resilience are the foundation of leadership. Stay inspired, CIBA is where financial stories become legacies.
Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
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