Namhla M.A. Nodali, Accountant
Accountant
Current Experience:
Accountant at Pinion · Full-time Aug 2022 - Present · (3 yrs 3 mos)
Past Experiences:
Junior Accountant at Ubuntu Pathways Full-time Jan 2021 to Jul 2022 · (1 yr 7 mos)
Creditors Clerk at Ubuntu Pathways Mar 2015 to Dec 2020 · (5 yrs 10 mos)
Finance Intern at Ubuntu Pathways Part-time Nov 2014 - Feb 2015 · (4 mos)
Qualifications:
Advanced Diploma in Accounting Science
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Most of us chase titles. Namhla chased transformation.
After nearly a decade in finance, she made the bold move from traditional reporting to an AI-integrated month-end close team and nearly drowned in the deep end.
Instead of quitting, she got curious.
Instead of panicking, she asked more questions.
Now? She’s the go-to in a team that runs on systems most firms haven’t even heard of.
This is what happens when a night owl accountant decides she’s done settling for “safe.”
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
07:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I start my morning with prayer, affirmations, and mentally mapping out my day.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My interest in accounting began in Grade 11 when Unathi Speirs visited my high school to speak about the CA(SA) profession. Her presentation inspired me, and for the first time, I could see myself pursuing a career in accounting, and I did.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Qualifying as a Professional Accountant (SA) was a major milestone for me and truly a dream come true
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I support our clients with their month-end close process, ensuring that all journals, intercompany allocations, and reconciliations are completed accurately.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by setting a personal goal to consistently improve in meeting the budgeted hours for each project.
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 in my current role was transitioning from a department focused solely on preparing Annual Financial Statements to the Robot Accounts department, which handles clients’ month-end close and integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) into certain processes. Adapting to new systems and a different way of working in accounting was initially difficult.
Over time, I became more comfortable as I learned how everything worked. Looking back, I’ve realized that during periods of change, it’s important to stay calm, ask questions, and trust that things will eventually fall into place.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I focus on giving my best every day to help the company meet its commitments to clients, understanding that clients pay for value and that I play a key role in delivering that value. When clients are satisfied, the company’s cash flow is well maintained.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I stay balanced during busy periods by maintaining a healthy diet and making sure to include gym sessions in my schedule.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy singing, swimming, and reading, which help me relax and recharge.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
I’m not currently assigned as a direct mentor, but our team culture encourages supporting one another. Team members naturally become the go-to person in areas where they excel, helping others develop their skills along the way.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
I would advise aspiring finance professionals to develop strong time management skills and maintain a genuine passion for seeing tasks through to completion.
“The lesson being that in life you control what you can. - Michelle Obama, Becoming ”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
A valuable leadership lesson I’ve learned is to believe in yourself, embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, and take the time to continually sharpen your skills.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me is that I really enjoy organizing events and hosting parties for friends.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower for work, it would be the ability to master multitasking, as I always have multiple tasks to complete.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is taking short five-minute breaks to stretch and get some fresh air.
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 in my career, it would be the day I completed a full set of financial statements. I only joined an accounting firm in the eighth year of my career, so being able to complete a full set under my own name was a significant milestone.
Namhla’s story isn’t just about grit, it’s about growth.
Her mantra? “In life, you control what you can.” Her advice? “Don’t fear mistakes, sharpen your skill.”
We see you, Namhla. You’re not just balancing books, you’re setting a new standard for what it means to be future-fit in this profession.
Want to do the same?
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to lead the AI curve, not chase it.
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