Noleen Natasha Jacobs, Financial Accountant
Financial Accountant
Current Experience:
Financial Accountant at Grand Parade Investments Limited Jan 2017 - Present · (8 yrs 10 mos)
Past Experience:
Accountant at Grand Parade Investments Limited July 2013 - Dec 2016 (3 Yrs 6 mos)
Accounting clerk at Grand Parade Investment Jan 2009 - Jun 2013 (4 Yrs 6 mos)
Administrator at City of Cape Town Feb 2008 - Sep 2008 · (8 mos)
Qualifications:
Diploma in Accounting Science
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Meet Noleen Natasha Jacobs, Financial Accountant at Grand Parade Investments Limited. With 13+ years of experience and a fierce work ethic, Noleen is proof that passion, perseverance, and people-first leadership still matter. From serving on women empowerment trusts to navigating full accounting functions for JSE-listed entities, she’s redefining what it means to thrive in this profession without the traditional credentials.
This isn’t a story about titles, it’s about impact.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
05:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
Mornings can be a bit of a struggle, but I make sure to get up on time because I can’t stand being late. I usually have a cup of coffee while getting ready, and once I’m at work, I spend the first 5–10 minutes checking in with my colleagues and manager before diving into my tasks for the day.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I’ve always been drawn to science and initially wanted to study medicine, but once I was introduced to accounting in high school, I knew I’d found my path. I really enjoyed the subject and put all my effort into learning it. Even though my Balance Sheet didn’t always balance (laughs), it never discouraged me from pursuing a career in this field.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of my key career milestones was becoming a Financial Accountant at a JSE-listed company with only a National Senior Certificate. Another defining moment was being appointed as a Trustee on a Women Empowerment Trust. But the most significant milestone was completing my Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management and Administration at Stellenbosch Business School. My 13 years of experience at Grand Parade Investments Limited gave me access to the program through Recognition of Prior Learning, which showed me that it’s truly never too late to keep growing.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I’m the Financial Accountant at Grand Parade Investments Limited. I handle the full accounting function for the holding company as well as its subsidiaries. My role includes assisting with the annual audit and preparing the annual financial statements for the subsidiaries. I report directly to the Financial Director.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
The company’s strategy focuses on investing in gaming and leisure to deliver long-term, sustainable returns to shareholders. My role supports this through several key responsibilities:
Financial Reporting: I prepare accurate and timely financial records that inform strategic management decisions. This ensures leadership has reliable data to guide the company’s direction.
Risk Management: I help manage risk by maintaining proper segregation of duties and user profiles, which strengthens internal controls and reduces the chance of fraud or error.
Statutory Compliance: I make sure all statutory and regulatory requirements are met.
BBBEE Verification: I compile the Spend Report and Skills Development data for our Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) verification. This plays a key role in improving our BBBEE status, which supports both compliance and competitiveness.
Through these responsibilities, I contribute to the company’s broader financial strategy and help build a foundation for long-term success and sustainability.
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 role was learning to say no. Early on, I thought agreeing to every request was the right thing to do, but I soon realized it wasn’t sustainable. Because I work quickly and pick things up fast, I became the go-to person in the finance department, and I kept saying yes to everything. Eventually, I found myself overwhelmed with too much on my plate and no one to delegate to.
It reached a point where I had to be honest with my manager about how much I was struggling. That conversation wasn’t easy because I didn’t want to appear incapable, but it was necessary. With my manager’s support, I was able to reprioritize my tasks and find a better balance. The experience taught me how important it is to set boundaries, communicate openly, and be realistic about what I can handle.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
To manage the company’s financial operations effectively, I rely on several key tools and strategies:
I use advanced financial reporting systems to prepare accurate and timely statements, including balance sheets and income statements.
I work closely with the Financial Director to address and justify any audit findings presented to the Audit and Risk Committee.
I follow sound corporate governance practices, guided by the principles of the King IV Report on Governance for South Africa.
I maintain strong communication with shareholders, ensuring their queries and concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.
These tools and practices help ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency across all financial operations.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I start by identifying the most critical tasks and tackling them first. To-do lists help me stay focused and organized. I keep both my workspace and digital files in order. It saves time and reduces stress when I need to find something quickly. When I can, I delegate tasks to others to help manage the workload during high-pressure times. I’ve learned not to hesitate to ask for help when things get overwhelming, whether it’s from colleagues, friends, or family. Having support makes a big difference. I also plan my days and weeks in advance. While overtime isn’t always avoidable, good planning helps minimize it. I try not to procrastinate, getting financial statements signed off early prevents a ripple effect of delays later. And if I know I might miss a deadline, I make sure to communicate it early.
These habits help me stay grounded, organized, and effective, even during the busiest times.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
I enjoy arts and crafts, singing, and watching movies or series. I also love spending time with family and friends; I’m quite the social butterfly.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Yes, mentoring is part of my role, and it’s something I truly enjoy. I’ve always believed in sharing knowledge openly. My father used to say, “Never share everything you know with someone more junior,” but I see it differently. When you mentor or help someone grow, you should give them everything you can, knowledge, wisdom, and technical skill. Even if they eventually move into a more senior role, it’s a reflection of your impact.
Here’s how I help develop others in the team: I have informal discussions with team members to review their progress, challenges, and goals. I promote an open learning culture where we exchange ideas and experiences. I lead by example through on-the-job training and shadowing opportunities. I give constructive, timely feedback, recognizing strengths while guiding improvements. I aim to set the tone through my work ethic, time management, and attitude, showing what professionalism looks like in practice. I encourage collaboration and make sure everyone feels comfortable asking questions or sharing ideas.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
For anyone looking to build a career in a finance department, success comes from a combination of formal knowledge, practical skills, and strong relationships. It’s important to stay teachable, embrace continuous learning, and develop both technical and soft skills. Focusing on these areas will help you contribute effectively and grow within the finance function of any organization.
“Change is constant - Heraclitus”
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 understanding your weaknesses and not taking offense when they’re pointed out. I make a conscious effort to reflect critically on feedback and my own emotional responses. This practice has helped me grow in empathy, strengthen my resilience as a leader, and maintain composure in challenging situations.
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 can sing. Most people, including my colleagues, don’t know about this side of me.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower to help me in my job, it would be mind reading.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
One of my go-to strategies for staying productive during long workdays is keeping the mood light, laughter, both my own and that of others, really helps. I also make a point to step away from my desk occasionally, drink plenty of water, and occasionally treat myself to a snack to keep my energy up.
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 the day I acted as a sounding board for my manager to work through some accounting journals he was struggling to make sense of. What made the day special was being able to analyze the problem and create those “light bulb” moments for him. What started as a stressful situation ended up becoming a humorous and rewarding experience.
“You’re allowed to grow, even when the world tells you to stay in your lane.”
Noleen’s journey is a lesson in saying “yes” to yourself, even when the balance sheet doesn’t balance, or the system makes you feel unqualified. She mentors. She challenges. She laughs. And she proves daily that there’s more than one path to financial leadership.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your lived experience into real recognition, and your grind into growth.
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