Marco Coetzer, Financial Accountant
Financial Accountant
Current Experience:
Financial Accountant at Crown Food Group · Full-time Aug 2025 - Present · (7 mos)
Past Experience:
Senior Financial Accountant at Pump & Abrasion Technologies · Full-time Jun 2024 - Aug 2025 · (1 yr 3 mos)
Assistant Financial Manager Oct 2022 - Jun 2024 · (1 yr 9 mos)
Financial Accountant at Jumbo Brands Oct 2020 - Oct 2022 · (2 yrs 1 mo)
Junior Accountant at Destinata Holdings Limited · Full-time Feb 2019 - Dec 2019 · (11 mos)
Junior Accountant at Accountants On Site May 2018 - Nov 2018 · (7 mos)
Registration Officer at Varsity College Nov 2014 - Feb 2018 · (3 yrs 4 mos)
Education:
BCom Law
Bachelor of Accounting Science
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
He wakes up at 4:30am. Not for a sunrise jog. But because there’s work to be done, risks to control, and numbers to get right.
Marco Coetzer didn’t walk into accounting with a silver spoon or a perfect GPA. He funded his own studies. Earned his stripes. Took hits. Got back up. Now he’s the one managing the general ledger, controlling financial risk, and helping drive strategy for a group company, all with nothing more than grit, spreadsheets, and a love for numbers that serve the public good.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
04:30 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I spend the first hour of my morning getting ready for work and setting myself up for the day ahead.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
My interest in accounting and finance comes from a natural passion for numbers and an appreciation of the important role they play in the broader economy and everyday life.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Being recognized as Employee of the Month on multiple occasions and receiving a nomination after completing my articles. I also funded my own studies while working full time and progressed into the role of Assistant Financial Manager for a group company through consistent performance and dedication.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I am a Senior Financial Accountant responsible for management accounts, payments, cash books, general ledger accounting, and oversight of accounts payable and receivable.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by identifying and controlling financial risks and providing accurate, timely reports.
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 strengthening my skills in advanced Excel and financial tools. I addressed this by completing a dedicated course and reinforcing my knowledge through continuous learning, using updated resources, practical examples, and regular application in my role.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I use Power BI and Power Query to manage and analyse financial data efficiently.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I stay balanced by exercising regularly, being mindful of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and taking time to read and stay informed through the news.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy building wooden mechanical toys.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
Yes, I support other team members by giving them access to the same tools I’ve learned to use so they can develop their skills. I also encourage them to ask questions whenever they’re unsure, creating an environment where they can learn and improve.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
I would advise focusing on developing strong skills in Excel and AI tools, as they are essential for efficiency and analysis. It’s also important to have a solid understanding of IFRS, as it forms the foundation for financial reporting and compliance.
“If today was your last day, what would you like to learn, improve today and leave behind a legacy”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
Never give up after a failure. Every setback is a lesson, not the end, and it’s an opportunity to learn and grow.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is to break tasks into manageable chunks and prioritize them based on urgency and impact.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
If I could relive one day from my career, it would be the day I started my articles. I didn’t know much at the time, but looking back, I wish I could have told myself to keep pushing and trust the process.
Marco’s not chasing perfection. He’s focused on daily improvements, building tools that talk back, and mentoring those brave enough to ask. His advice? Learn Excel. Use AI. Understand IFRS. And don’t quit after the first failure, that’s just the start.
You won’t find him bragging on LinkedIn, but you’ll feel his impact in the quiet wins: A payment processed. A ledger balanced. A junior colleague finally “getting it.”
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to build a legacy one ledger at a time.
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