Nicholas Wright, Head of Finance
Finance Manager
Current Experience:
Head of Finance at Halls Mar 2025 - Present · (7 mos)
Commercial Accountant at Halls Jan 2024 - Present · (1 yr 9 mos)
Past Experience:
Assistant Manager at PBS Chartered Accountants Inc. · Full0-time May 2023 - Jan 2024 · (9 mos)
Senior Audit Consultant at SAPRO Jan 2022 - May 2023 · (1 yr 5 mos)
Audit Senior at BDO South Africa · Full-time Jan 2019 - Jan 2022 · (3 yrs 1 mo)
Intern at Cardinal Weighbridge Company Part-time Jan 2017 - Aug 2017 · (8 mos)
Qualifications:
BCom Financial Accounting
Bachelor of Accounting (Honours)
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
“Twelve years. Two failed exams. One unshakable goal.”
Meet Nicholas Wright, CA(SA) and Head of Finance at HL Hall (Pty) Ltd, proof that perseverance beats perfection. He didn’t just earn the title; he fought for it. In a profession where youth can be a disadvantage and clean data is gold, Nicholas is shaping strategy, managing complexity, and leading from the front, all before his 7 a.m. tea.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
07:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I usually start my morning with a cup of tea in bed.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My interest in accounting came from my dad, who was a Chartered Accountant. I always looked up to him and wanted to follow in his footsteps.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Here are a few key milestones that stand out in my career:
Earning my PGDA, which took me 6 years instead of the usual 4.
Achieving my CA(SA) designation after many setbacks — I failed the ITC once and the APC five times, but I never gave up and eventually earned the title.
Most recently, being promoted to Head of Finance at HL Hall (Pty) Ltd.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I serve as the Head of Finance.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I play a key role by overseeing the company’s entire financial operations. This includes everything from setting budgets to structuring deals and developing financial models.
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 being a young leader, often the youngest person in the room. Gaining a deep understanding of the business and its long-term goals has helped me guide my team toward meeting our strategic objectives. I’ve also leaned on the advice of more experienced colleagues, which has given me valuable tools to navigate leadership challenges.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I rely on a few key tools and strategies, including budgeting, cash flow forecasting, and drafting contracts.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
Family is always my top priority. During busy periods, I do put in extra hours when needed, but I try to leave the office at a reasonable time. If there’s more to finish, I prefer doing a bit in the evening, which still gives me space to unwind in the late afternoon. Exercise, whether it’s the gym, a run, or a walk, and spending time with my wife also help me stay balanced.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy staying active with gym, golf, and running. I also like fishing, spending time in the bush, and gardening. Most of all, I value time with my family and friends.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
I support my team by helping them better understand the business and clarifying any topics they may find challenging.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
It’s not about how you start, but how you finish, perseverance is key. I’d recommend pursuing your CA(SA), as it provides invaluable knowledge. Once you join a business, focus on understanding the numbers and what drives them. Don’t hesitate to get involved in other departments, as having a complete view of the company’s operations will help you achieve your objectives more effectively and efficiently.
“It’s not how you start, but how you finish!”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
There are many lessons I’ve learned, but one that stands out is the importance of fully understanding the business, not just the numbers.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me is that I really enjoy gardening.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower for my job, it would be the ability to extract clean data. We work with a lot of data, but getting it in a clean, usable form is always a challenge.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is careful planning.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
The day I earned my CA(SA) stands out. It took 12 long years but finally achieving it was incredibly rewarding.
Nicholas’s story isn’t about titles, it’s about grit. He’s living proof that you can fail five times and still rise to the top. His mantra?
“It’s not how you start, but how you finish.”
Want to charge more, lead boldly, and stop apologizing for your ambition?
Join CIBA, we’ll show you how to turn every setback into your comeback.
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