Mpho Tleane, Audit Trainee
Audit Trainee
Current Experience:
Audit Trainee at SNG Grant Thornton · Contract Feb 2025 - Present · (1 yr 1 mo)
Past Experience:
Financial Accountant at ENGIE Africa · Contract Nov 2024 - Jan 2025 · (3 mos)
Education:
BCom Accounting and Finance
Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
She wakes up at 6am on a weekend.
Not because she has to. Because discipline doesn’t take days off.
Meet Mpho Tleane, proof that growth in this profession doesn’t wait for permission. In a profession where burnout is common, deadlines are brutal, and pressure is constant, she breaks work into smaller tasks, sets her own internal deadlines, and teaches the finance intern sitting next to her.
Because growth isn’t just personal. It’s shared.
This is what the next generation of finance leaders looks like. Focused. Grounded. Hungry.
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 spend the first 30 minutes jogging on my treadmill to get my energy up and clear my head. After that, I take about 30 minutes to shower and get ready for the day ahead.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
When I was younger, I always imagined myself working in a bank, counting money like a teller. That idea really stayed with me. In high school, I took Accounting and genuinely enjoyed it. I was doing well in the subject, and that’s when it clicked for me that this was something I could see myself pursuing long term. It still felt connected to that childhood dream, just in a more meaningful way, working with numbers, understanding finances, and balancing figures.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
I began my career as a Finance Intern, where I spent six months building a solid foundation and learning the practical side of the role. After that, I moved into a Revenue Reconciliation Accountant position for three months, which gave me more responsibility and exposure to detailed financial processes. Shortly thereafter, I was promoted to Accountant. All of these milestones took place within a year, which was a defining period of growth in my career.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I work as a Financial Accountant within the finance department, where I’m responsible for operational finance reporting.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute to the company’s financial strategy by ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting. This involves updating multiple accounting systems each month and preparing management accounts that are presented to the board, providing clear and concise insights into shareholders’ investments.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges in my role is managing tight deadlines, especially when reporting across multiple accounting systems in line with company policies. I tackle this by prioritising tasks, starting with the simpler reports early in the month, and sending reminders to colleagues for any information I need for month-end analysis. When necessary, I put in extra time to ensure all reports are accurate and submitted on time.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I manage the company’s financial operations effectively by setting my own internal deadlines ahead of the official ones. I break larger tasks into smaller, manageable daily steps instead of leaving everything until the last minute. This approach allows me to work more accurately and gives me time to ask questions along the way if needed.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I stay balanced during busy periods by breaking my work into manageable sections and taking short breaks in between. When I know I’ll be working late, I prepare my meals the night before, so I don’t have to worry about cooking during crunch time. I also try to negotiate for extra time on tasks when possible, to help prevent burnout.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy going to the cinema to watch movies with my family. This year, I also plan to join a tennis club to stay active, since I spend most of my day at a desk.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
I’m a strong believer in sharing knowledge and giving team members exposure to key accounting functions that support their growth as finance professionals. We have a Finance Intern on our team, and I take pride in patiently guiding them through the work and helping them develop their skills.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice would be to follow your passion and make sure you genuinely enjoy Accounting before committing to further studies. Accounting is a career driven by interest, so it’s important to like what you do. After completing a degree or diploma in Accounting or Finance, securing an internship is crucial. During that time, focus on learning key functions like Tax, VAT, and financial reporting, as well as operational tasks such as paying suppliers. It’s also valuable to gain experience in compiling financial statements and assisting with audit requests.
“One step at a time, you will reach your goals”
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 the importance of effective communication in a professional setting. It’s essential to stay factual and professional, keeping emotions in check, to ensure your message is clear and respected.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio? A hobby, interest, or fun fact?
A fun fact about me that’s not in my professional bio is that I actually started my career in HR, having joined a banking learnership nine years ago.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be? Predicting financial trends? Master multitasking?
I would choose super speed, which would allow me to complete tasks much faster and handle more work in a fraction of the time.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
To stay productive during long workdays, I keep my energy up by drinking a Powerade and taking breaks outside for fresh air. Having a small snack as a pick-me-up also helps me stay focused.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
I would relive the day I received the Employee of the Month award. It came after I successfully planned a career fair for the company’s employees, overseeing every detail from start to finish. I truly enjoyed the entire process, and being recognized for it made the day very special.
Mpho’s story reminds us of something important:
You don’t need 20 years in the industry to lead. You need discipline, skill, and the courage to step up. Too many finance professionals downplay their value. You’re preparing board packs. Managing compliance risk. Keeping businesses operational.
That’s not “support work.”
That’s strategic.
If you’re already doing the work, get the recognition to match it.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to strengthen your professional standing, protect your career, and position yourself for bigger opportunities.
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