Masego B.M Mdoka, Management Accountant
Management Accountant
Current Experience:Management Accountant: Budget planning and monitoring at CIPC Full-time Apr 2022 - Present · (3 yrs 4 mos)
PAST EXPERIENCES:Divisional Assistant Accountant at CIPC Dec 2020 - May 2022 (1 yr 6 mos)
Controller: Bank and Cash at South African Bank Note Company (Pty) Ltd
Jan 2017 - Dec 2020 · (4 yrs)
Controller: Creditors at South African Bank Note Company Jan 2015 - Jan 2017 · (2 yrs 1 mos)
Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree Accounting
Certificate in Advanced Accounting and Finance
Country of Residence:South Africa
LinkedIn Profile: Meet Masego Mdoka, a Management Accountant who turned early inspiration into a purposeful career. From humble beginnings to a leadership role at the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, she’s built her reputation on transparency, resilience, and strategic insight. Masego’s story is a reminder that accounting isn’t just about numbers, it’s about impact, growth, and legacy.
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 usually spend the first hour of my morning in quiet. It helps me ground myself and ease into the day with a clear mind.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My interest in accounting began during a “Take a Girl Child to Work Day” campaign in 2007, where I met my first CA(SA). That experience sparked something in me, what began as curiosity quickly grew into a genuine passion for finance, and I knew it was the path I wanted to follow.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
My career has been a continuous journey of growth, moving from hands-on accounting work to a more strategic role in finance. Starting with a solid foundation in operational finance, I’ve worked my way up to my current role as a Management Accountant at the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission. Along the way, I’ve developed strong skills in budgeting, treasury management, and financial reporting—always focused on helping organisations make informed financial decisions. I’m passionate about improving efficiency and adding value, and I’m currently pursuing my CIMA certification to further strengthen my contribution to the field.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
As a Management Accountant, my role involves guiding the organisation’s financial strategy through budget planning, spending oversight, and treasury management. I collaborate with various departments to provide financial insights and ensure our resources are aligned with organisational goals. I also serve on the Bid Specification Committee, where I help shape procurement decisions that support value for money and operational efficiency. At its core, my role is about driving financial accountability and making sure every rand contributes to our broader objectives.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I support the overall financial strategy by making sure budgets are carefully planned, spending is tracked closely, and all financial decisions stay aligned with the organisation’s objectives. Through regular analysis of expenditure, flagging potential risks, and improving treasury management, I help strengthen financial stability and promote smarter use of resources.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was managing limited resources while meeting high stakeholder expectations. I quickly realised that open and consistent communication was essential. By regularly sharing insights with my managers, I was able to build trust, manage expectations more effectively, and encourage collaborative thinking. This approach often led to creative solutions that helped us turn challenges into opportunities.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
At the moment, I use a mix of traditional financial management practices and newer technologies. While we're still in the process of adopting advanced cloud-based tools for budgeting and reporting, our current strategy focuses on detailed financial analysis and regular strategic review sessions. This helps us maintain strong visibility over cash flow and forecasting, so we can quickly spot risks or opportunities and respond effectively.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
When things get busy, I focus on keeping things manageable. I set clear priorities, take short breaks, a quick walk in the sun really helps, and remind myself that it’s okay to ask for support, even when I’m handling things on my own. A quick chat with my kids always brings me back to my purpose and keeps me motivated.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I’m very much a homebody. As an introvert, I really enjoy unwinding with documentaries and commentary videos on YouTube, it might be a little nerdy, but I find it both relaxing and fascinating. I also make the most of any quality time with my husband and kids, especially since our weekdays tend to be packed and we don’t always get as much time together as we’d like.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Our organisation has a growing internship programme, and I’ve had the chance to mentor finance interns as part of that. As someone who’s both a lifelong learner and natural teacher, I really enjoy sharing what I’ve learned and helping them navigate real-world finance work. It’s incredibly rewarding to see their skills grow and watch them gain confidence as professionals.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Accounting isn’t just about becoming a CA (SA); it’s a wide field with many different paths. Take the time to research and explore all the opportunities available.
Make your digital environment work for you. Since we spend so much time on our phones, use that time to learn and grow instead of scrolling through content that doesn’t add value.
Persistence is key. This career isn’t always easy, and setbacks are part of the journey. Learning to bounce back from failure and rejection will help you grow both professionally and personally
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
My favorite mantra is "forward ever" and "Re tla bona ko Pele," which roughly translates to "we will see when we get there." As someone who often struggles with anxiety and overthinking, this helps me to keep moving forward. If we encounter a problem, we’ll solve it when we get there. It’s a powerful reminder not to procrastinate and just take things one step at a time.
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
A key leadership lesson I’ve learned is that making mistakes is perfectly normal, they’re crucial for growth. I used to get stuck on my errors, which sometimes held me back from truly learning and moving forward. Now, I focus on understanding what went wrong, learning from it, and using those lessons to improve and grow.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me that you won’t find in my professional bio is that I have a great sense of humor, and I enjoy singing and dancing every other week.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could choose any superpower for my job, it would be mastering people management. Of all the skills, this one is the toughest because of how complex human behaviour can be. Being able to understand and lead people effectively takes time and insight, but it’s essential for success in any role.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My strategy for staying productive during long workdays is straightforward: plenty of coffee, regular breaks, and getting lots of sunlight. This keeps me focused and energized all day long.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
If I could relive one day from my career, it would be the day I left my previous employer to join the CIPC. Taking that step was a big risk for me, and although I was nervous, I believed it would lead to something better. Looking back, I’m proud of how much I’ve grown since then. All the uncertainty was worth it for the progress I’ve made.
Masego’s journey proves that courage, clarity, and community can take you far, even when the path isn’t easy. Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your finance career into a tool for financial freedom, professional validation, and lasting value.
Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
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