Mhlengi Moyo, Financial Controller
Accountant
Current Experience:
Financial Controller Full-time Aug 2024 - Present · (1 yr 3 mos)
Past Experience:
Portfolio Accountant at Dartprop Management (Pty) Ltd · Full-time Jan 2023 - Jul 2024 · (1 yr 7 mos)
Accountant at Broll Property Group (Pty) Ltd City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Jan 2017 - Dec 2022 · (6 yrs)
Client Accountant at Broll Property Group (Pty) Ltd Jul 2016 - Jan 2017 · (7 mos)
Assistant Accountant at Broll Property Group (Pty) Ltd Sep 2015 - Jun 2016 · (10 mos)
Bookkeeper at Lisabank Repossession Warehouse · Full-time Jan 2013 - Aug 2013 · (8 mos)
Lecturer (Business) at CTI Education Group · Contract Jan 2012 - Dec 2012 · (1 yr)
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree Financial Accounting
Postgraduate Degree Forensics Auditing
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Mhlengi Moyo, first job as a cashier, that role was a launchpad into a 10+ year journey of financial leadership, cost-cutting impact, and real business influence in South Africa’s property sector. His path proves what many CBAPs already know: your title doesn’t define your trajectory, grit does.
Mhlengi isn’t here to talk fluff. He’s here to challenge inefficiency, cut through ERP nonsense, and show that Excel, Power BI, and clarity of purpose still trump overpriced tech and red tape. If you’ve ever battled resistance to change, or felt boxed in by “how it’s always been done,” this profile is for you.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
09:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
The first hour of my morning is my sacred "me time." It’s quiet, distraction-free, and completely mine. I use it to freshen up and enjoy a comforting bowl of porridge. I don’t touch my phone or scroll through socials, honestly, someone would be lucky if I even answered a call during that time.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My interest in accounting and finance comes from wanting to be a catalyst for change in the business world. For me, it’s not just about working with numbers, it’s about tackling complexities, improving processes, and helping businesses operate more effectively. I’m motivated by the opportunity to influence decision-making, identify cost savings, and deliver insights that matter to stakeholders. What excites me most is being able to use my financial skills to create a real, measurable impact.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
A key defining moment in my career was landing a role at Broll Property Group (Pty) Ltd, CRES Division (now Cushman & Wakefield Broll) as a Cashier. Not the kind of cashier most people picture, but one that introduced me to an entirely new side of the property sector I hadn’t known about before. That opportunity marked the start of my journey in this field, and looking back, I have no regrets about accepting that job, it truly set the foundation for where I am today.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I work as a Financial Controller, overseeing the company’s financial management and reporting. My role focuses on streamlining internal processes, driving cost-saving initiatives, improving efficiency, and delivering valuable financial insights to support the Asset Management team.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I see my contribution to the company’s financial strategy falling into two main areas:
1. Information for Strategic Decision-Making
I prepare budgets, forecasts, and financial reports that shape business strategy.
I analyze the performance of different properties and portfolios to highlight revenue opportunities and assess risks.
I provide data-driven insights to support cost-saving initiatives and investment decisions. For example, municipal expenses like electricity and water make up a significant part of our costs. My role includes monitoring usage trends to spot opportunities for alternatives such as solar energy or detecting issues like leaks or incorrect council billings.
I also ensure compliance with tax regulations and financial reporting standards.
2. Efficiency Improvements & Cost Optimization
I focus on streamlining financial processes to improve accuracy and efficiency.
I prioritize having strong internal controls in place, reviewing them regularly to reduce risks and prevent errors.
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 is resistance to change. Many colleagues prefer sticking to familiar ways of working, even when new approaches could make their jobs easier and more effective.
What has helped me overcome this is involving them in the process. Instead of presenting changes as something being imposed, I frame them as proposals, clearly outlining the benefits for both the team and the business. By giving colleagues space to share their input and take part in the implementation, the acceptance and overall reception of the change are much more positive.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
Besides the ERP system I use (which I find quite rigid and limiting), I rely heavily on Excel, Power BI, and Data Mart. These tools make my financial analysis and reporting much more accurate, insightful, and easier to present.
With them, I can handle everything from cash flow management and expense tracking to budgeting, forecasting, and monitoring financial KPIs, all with less effort and greater precision.
I also keep an open mind about exploring new tools, but I prefer to keep things simple. The best tool isn’t necessarily the most advanced or complex; it’s the one that delivers what’s needed for the job at hand.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I manage balance by sticking closely to my deadlines to prevent backlogs. When things get particularly busy, I focus on prioritizing high-value tasks instead of getting caught up in low-impact ones.
To avoid burnout, I take short breaks, what I call “smoke breaks,” though for me it’s usually just stepping away for some water. These small pauses help me reset and stay sharp.
Clear and timely communication is also key. If I see that I won’t meet a deadline, I let the relevant people know right away rather than pushing myself to exhaustion. I’ve learned that a tired mind is a costly mind, fatigue leads to mistakes, poor judgment, and inefficiencies. Open communication and realistic adjustments are far more effective than burning out to deliver.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
To be honest, I don’t have many hobbies outside of work. I go to the gym occasionally, and it always helps me feel better and sleep well after a long day, though I’ll admit consistency is something I need to work on. Other than that, I usually spend time catching up on current affairs, whether it’s tech, news, politics, or science, if that counts as a hobby.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
I’m not involved in any formal mentorship program, but I believe skill development often happens naturally in the day-to-day flow of work. I make it a point to support colleagues by helping with induction training for new team members, clarifying concepts they may find challenging, suggesting more efficient ways of working, or simply giving constructive feedback and encouragement. I see every interaction as an opportunity to share knowledge and help others grow.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice is simple: Learn, gain experience, and keep learning.
Finance is a broad field with endless opportunities, so it’s important to sharpen your skills and go beyond the basics. Don’t underestimate the value of entry-level roles, they offer a chance to build a strong foundation and expose yourself to new challenges. The more you experience, the more you learn.
Stay updated on industry developments, because the finance world is constantly evolving. Keep your analytical and problem-solving skills sharp, and don’t be afraid to question things, even if they seem routine, there’s often more beneath the surface.
“Nothing changes until something changes”…Many of us desire for something to change (for the better) in our lives, but we often do not take the necessary steps to initiate the change. To change the status quo we must be proactive, the change we desire must come from within us. No external forces will change our situations if we don’t do.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
I follow the Socratic principle: “The wisest man is he who knows that he knows nothing.” Recognizing that there’s always more to learn allows us to stay open to new information, experiences, and perspectives.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I’m a qualified secondary/high school teacher, that’s a story for another day.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
Self-replication, I’d love to be able to work on multiple tasks simultaneously.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I tackle one task at a time, rather than trying to multitask, which often disrupts focus and flow.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
August 15, 2013, the day I received my first offer of employment as a Cashier. It may not have seemed like a “wow” role, but it marked the start of my career in property accounting and set the stage for the path I love today.
Mhlengi’s mantra? “Nothing changes until something changes.” Whether he’s optimising municipal billing for multi-million-rand portfolios or mentoring a junior over coffee, he’s proof that leadership isn’t about being the loudest, it’s about being the most consistent.
And here’s the kicker: Mhlengi’s just getting started. Be curious. Be brave. Be the change.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn small wins into big impact, just like Mhlengi did.
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