Natasha De Jongh, Director
Director
Current Experience:Director at Go Shaw Private Investigation and security services · Part-time Mar 2025 - Present · (5 mos)
Asset Controller at Alexkor RMC JV Dec 2023 - May 2025 · (1 yr 6 mos)
Assistant Accountant at ENSafrica · Full-time Oct 2022 - Nov 2023 · (1 yr 2 mos)
Junior Audit manager at bdk Auditors Feb 2022 - Sep 2022 · (8 mos)
SAICA trainee accountant at Pyper Turner Incorporated · Contract Feb 2019 - Dec 2021 · (2 yrs 11 mos)
Qualifications:Bachelor’s in accounting
Country of Residence:South Africa
LinkedIn Profile: Meet Natasha de Jongh. She’s not just tracking assets; she’s driving strategy, cutting costs, and building confidence as a young woman in finance. From SAICA articles to leading in a male-dominated space, Natasha’s journey is proof that bold moves matter.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
8:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
Starting the day with some reading and a drink, getting into the right headspace.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I enjoy solving problems and definitely prefer working with numbers over people.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of my key career milestones was completing my SAICA articles. Another defining moment was joining the largest law firm in Africa, where I worked as a General Accounts Assistant.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
My role involves maintaining the Fixed Asset Register, recording monthly asset-related transactions, and verifying assets in line with company policy. I also handle monthly reporting, prepare notes for the financial statements, and oversee asset movement and utilization.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by managing and monitoring asset utilization and movement, as well as evaluating assets for impairment and useful life. This supports the financial strategy by identifying cost-saving opportunities and ensuring assets are used efficiently to maximize profitability.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was stepping out of my comfort zone. I’ve always been quite reserved, so working across departments and engaging with different personalities was initially intimidating, especially being the only woman in the room and contributing alongside senior male colleagues. But over time, I pushed myself to speak up, gained confidence, and grew into a more assertive and resilient professional. It’s been a key part of building the person I am today.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I use tools like ChatGPT to help manage tasks more efficiently because I believe in working smarter, not harder. Rather than spending too much time on areas where I'm less strong, I prefer to focus on sharpening my strengths and using the right tools to support the rest.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I believe a healthy body supports a healthy mind. To stay balanced, especially during busy periods, I focus on eating well, waking up early, keeping active through exercise, and keeping my mind sharp by reading for enjoyment.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, going on hikes, reading, and playing squash, it’s a great way for me to unwind and recharge.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
I support and influence my colleagues informally by sharing my experiences, the challenges I've faced, and how I overcame them. I also offer guidance on balancing studies, work, and personal life, as I believe personal growth and maintaining relationships are key to success.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My first piece of advice is not to take mistakes personally. When you make a mistake, learn from it and move forward, doing your best not to repeat it. Focus on improving yourself in your own time, build on your strengths, and delegate tasks that aren’t your strong suit. Always believe in yourself, stay confident, and don’t hesitate to ask for help, even if you worry you might be annoying. Speak up and stand your ground but also be mindful of who you trust. Share your opinions, even if you’re not 100% sure, your perspective matters, as do the views of others. Work hard, keep improving, and be a source of motivation for those who look up to you. Finally, invest time in helping others who aspire to reach where you are.
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
“Carpe Diem” - seize the moment by focusing on what’s right in front of you, without worrying about the past or the future.
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
One important leadership lesson I’ve learned is to never hesitate to ask for help when you’re unsure. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, it’s key to learning and growing.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
A fun fact about me that’s not in my professional bio is that I’m quietly into F1 racing and fast cars.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
I’d choose the ability to predict financial trends. That power wouldn’t just benefit me personally; it would also help the business I work for and others in the industry.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is taking regular breaks, staying hydrated, and fueling my body with healthy food.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
I would choose to relive the first day of my career, my very first job. It was special because everything was new and exciting, I didn’t know what to expect. Looking back, with the knowledge I have now, I would have made some different decisions.
Natasha didn’t let self-doubt or systems hold her back, she leaned into her strengths and showed up smarter, stronger, and more focused.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your strengths into strategic value, just like Natasha.
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