Ndzalama Hlungwane, Accounts Payable Assistant
Accounts Payable Assistant
Current Experience:
Accounts Payable Assistant at PepsiCo · Full-time Dec 2023 - Present · (1 yr 9 mos)
Past Experience:
Creditors Supervisor at PepsiCo South Africa · Full-time Nov 2024 - Jun 2025 · (8 mos)
Creditors Clerk at Galaxy Bingo · Full-time Dec 2022 - Dec 2023 · (1 yr 1 mo)
Finance Clerk at Signa Group · Contract Dec 2021 - Dec 2022 · (1 yr 1 mo)
Qualifications:
Diploma in Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Ndzalama Arise Hlungwane went from entry-level to Accounts Payable Supervisor in just 12 months, not by waiting, but by solving, scheduling, and stepping up. From migrating financial systems to leading a team through backlog chaos, she’s redefining what two years of experience can look like when you’re driven, sharp, and not afraid to lead.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
08:00 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 breakfast while going through my emails to get a sense of the day ahead.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I've always enjoyed working with numbers, and I found that I have a real interest in creating reports and solving financial queries. That’s what initially drew me to accounting and finance.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of my key career milestones was being promoted to a major company just 12 months into my role, a recognition that meant a lot to me. It showed that my work was valued and made a real impact within the business.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
Accounts Payable Supervisor
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute to the financial strategy by managing all payments, especially those related to manufacturing, which are handled by my team. I also support the business by resolving queries and overseeing travel and entertainment expenses.
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 our recent migration to a new accounting system, which caused a backlog in payments and data transfers. To manage this, I created a structured work schedule for my team that helped us stay focused and organised. Thanks to that, we were able to catch up and get everything back on track.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
We use a combination of systems to manage financial operations effectively. One system handles invoice verification, while another automatically matches invoices with GRVs (Goods Received Vouchers). This helps streamline the process and ensures accuracy in our records.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
To stay balanced during busy periods, I create a task schedule and check off each item as I complete it. It helps me stay organised and maintain a clear sense of progress throughout the day.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy playing video games and watching soccer. they’re a great way for me to relax and recharge.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Yes, I do support and mentor other team members. I schedule regular feedback sessions with them based on their daily work targets, and I also provide training whenever there are new ideas or processes to implement.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice would be to stay committed and be willing to learn continuously. In finance, it’s important to apply yourself fully and remain open to gaining new skills and knowledge.
“Accounting is not just about numbers;it’s about decoding the language of economic opportunity”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your caree
A valuable leadership lesson I’ve learned is to always stay open to learning, as it’s the foundation for growth.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me that isn’t in my professional bio is that I love spending time with animals. I enjoy visiting game reserves and taking in the natural beauty of our country.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
Master multitasking
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is to create a task board with clear deadlines for each item.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
If I could relive one day from my career, it would be a Friday. It’s a day that gives me a chance to relax and spend quality time with my family, which makes it really special to me.
Ndzalama isn’t just verifying invoices, he’s designing systems, developing people, and decoding opportunity.
Whether it’s managing millions or mentoring new recruits, he proves that finance isn’t about waiting your turn, it’s about making your mark. Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn potential into power.”
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