Mbali Mnguni, Senior Accountant
Senior Accountant
Current Experience:
Senior Accountant at Praeston Accounting Jan 2024 - Present (1 Yr 10 mos)
Past Experience:
Junior Accountant at Praeston Accounting Jan 2023 - Dec 2023 (1 Yr)
Finance Graduate Intern at Praeston Accounting Jan 2022 - Dec 2022 (1 Yr)
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree Finance
BCom Honours in Financial Management
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
When Mbali Mnguni opens her emails at 6 a.m., she’s not just scanning numbers, she’s scanning for purpose. Born in a small village in KZN, Mbali’s path into finance wasn’t just about spreadsheets. It was about fighting for economic dignity in places long ignored. With only a few years in the profession, she’s already mentoring interns, leading full-service accounting operations, and proving that you don’t need a CA(SA) to make a serious impact.
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 start my morning with prayer, then spend some time reading a book before checking my emails.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I’ve always been motivated by the idea of helping others. Growing up in a small village in KZN, I saw many business owners struggle financially. When I was introduced to accounting and business studies in high school, I realized how powerful these skills could be in helping them succeed. I’m passionate about using accounting to ensure compliance and provide the kind of financial guidance that helps entrepreneurs grow and thrive.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Some of my key career milestones include:
Taking on new roles and challenges where I’ve been able to grow and handle more responsibility independently.
Mentoring interns and sharing my experience to help them build confidence and direction in their own careers.
Completing my Honours degree while working full-time, which taught me a lot about dedication, time management, and balance.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
As an Accountant at an accounting firm, I handle a wide range of responsibilities, including full-function bookkeeping, payroll, taxation, and preparing financial statements.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I help our clients run their businesses more efficiently by identifying cost-saving opportunities, improving financial processes, and ensuring full compliance with accounting standards and regulations.
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 handling complex financial reconciliations while meeting tight deadlines. I managed this by carefully prioritizing tasks, reviewing my work thoroughly, and consulting senior colleagues when needed. The experience strengthened my attention to detail and improved my time management skills.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I use tools like Pastel, Sage One Accounting, Excel spreadsheets, and Draftworx to manage financial operations effectively. My main strategy is to maintain regular financial reporting and analysis to ensure accuracy and make informed decisions.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
To maintain balance during busy times, I make self-care a priority and set clear boundaries between work and personal life. Taking regular breaks, managing stress, and spending time with loved ones help me stay grounded and re-energized.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy hiking and spending time in nature. I love reading, both to learn new things and to get lost in different stories, and I’ve recently taken up running as a new way to recharge.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Yes, I mentor and support junior team members in the finance department. I help them grow by offering hands-on training, sharing practical knowledge, and giving constructive feedback. I also encourage them to pursue professional development opportunities so they can build confidence and strengthen their skills.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
For anyone aspiring to work in a finance department, I’d recommend focusing on developing strong analytical, problem-solving, attention to detail, and communication skills. Staying current with financial regulations, accounting standards, and industry trends is also essential. Gaining practical experience through internships or entry-level roles can be very helpful, and building a network within the finance community can open doors and provide valuable guidance.
“All the things you want are on the other side of fear.”
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 not to be too hard on myself for mistakes. They are valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and become wiser and stronger.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me is my love for hiking and exploring new outdoor spots. Even though I spend a lot of time working with numbers and financial reports, I find peace in nature and enjoy discovering hidden gems outdoors.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
I would choose the ability to predict financial trends with complete accuracy.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My strategy for staying productive during long workdays includes prioritizing tasks and breaking them into smaller steps, taking regular breaks, staying hydrated, and setting clear goals with deadlines.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
The day that stands out most for me is when I helped a client overcome a long-standing challenge. Their gratitude and appreciation reminded me why I do this work, to make a positive impact and genuinely help people. It was a deeply fulfilling experience that renewed my passion and motivation.
Mbali represents the next wave of business accountants: young, mission-driven, and quietly powerful. She’s the kind of accountant who’ll hike on Sunday and come back Monday with fresh eyes and sharper focus. She’s not just in the room, she’s changing how the room thinks.
If you’re trying to find your voice in this profession, take a page from Mbali’s playbook.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to grow your impact, raise your rates, and never walk this journey alone.
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