Nosisa Manyakanyaka, Financial Accountant
Financial Accountant
Current Experience:
Financial Accountant at BASF · Full-time Mar 2023 - Present · (2 yrs 11 mos)
Past Experience:
Financial Accountant at Continental · Full-time Dec 2019 - Feb 2023 · (3 yrs 3 mos)
Accountant at AR Whiteleys Accountants Nov 2014 - Nov 2019 · (5 yrs 1 mo)
Audit cleck at LUMENROCK Jul 2013 - Apr 2014 · (10 mos)
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance
Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
From a high schooler excited about numbers to a Financial Accountant at BASF Catalysts, Nosisa’s journey is proof that talent, grit, and grounded values beat every barrier, even a language one. She’s faced the unspoken challenges of being a woman of colour in corporate finance, and instead of shrinking, she showed up, stood firm, and rose.
She doesn’t just manage numbers. She mentors people. She doesn’t just follow standards. She upholds integrity. And when things get chaotic? She paints, prays, and powers through.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
06:30 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 prayer, followed by a gym session.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
My interest started when I first heard that accounting would be introduced at our school in Grade 8. I was still in Grade 7 at the time and didn’t fully understand what it involved beyond working with numbers, but I was immediately excited and drawn to it.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
I began my articles at one of the big local accounting firms in George, where I faced a major language barrier as I couldn’t speak or understand Afrikaans in an Afrikaans-dominated town. With the help of an English-Afrikaans dictionary and Google Translate, I still performed well, and the language challenge never held back my determination or results.
In both my previous and current companies, the local finance departments have been among the best-performing plants globally, which has been a proud and defining achievement in my career.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I am a Financial Accountant, which is one of the senior roles within the finance department.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I work closely with global management on the areas I am responsible for. They keep me informed of upcoming changes and I’m regularly given the opportunity to share my insights and suggestions.
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 navigating the realities that women in leadership roles often experience in corporate environments, especially as part of a minority group. I’ve overcome this by not allowing myself to be defined or limited by culture or perceptions. I stay grounded in who I am and confident in my expertise. I remain clear on the values I will never compromise on, such as integrity, strong ethics, consistently delivering results, and standing up for my team. It’s through these everyday actions that I set the standard for how I show up and how I expect to be treated.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
In my role, I focus on closely monitoring cash flows and maintaining accurate and reliable accounting records. I’m also involved in risk management, particularly around hedging, as well as ensuring strong compliance and governance in line with corporate policies, IFRS standards, and SARS requirements.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I see certain things as essential, not optional, especially activities like going to the gym for my mental health and staying connected with loved ones. During very busy periods, I may have to scale back on these for a short time, but I’m careful not to let that go on for too long. Once things settle, I make a point of taking two or three days off to reset and recover, so I can avoid burnout.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy acrylic painting and creating textured art. I also love being outdoors and find a lot of peace in simply watching the waves.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
Yes, I actively mentor and support other team members. For me, the real reward is hearing feedback like “I really appreciate your advice and support,” “I feel better after speaking to you,” or “That strategy has made my work easier.”
I strongly believe that without a strong team, the department wouldn’t perform at the level it does. I make a point of ensuring everyone feels seen and valued for the role they play. I keep an open-door approach and focus on building trust. Protecting your team builds loyalty, and listening to them fosters mutual respect.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Working in a finance department can be very rewarding. It’s important to be solution-oriented and results-driven. Find a mentor to guide you, and remember not to let work define who you are. Your career is an important part of life, but it shouldn’t take over your life, there’s so much more to enjoy beyond work.
“I want to touch lives.”
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 that a true leader serves their team.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio? A hobby, interest, or fun fact?
Something people might find surprising is that I have a deep love for connecting with and supporting others.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be? Predicting financial trends? Master multitasking?
I think my ideal superpower would be the ability to switch between topics instantly and then return to the first one right where I left off, being able to hold onto a thought, focus on something completely different, and come back without losing track.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy is to take lunch and coffee breaks when needed. It might feel like a “waste” of time, especially on busy days, but in reality, it helps me stay focused and maintain productivity for longer periods.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
There are a few days I’d consider, but what they have in common is that I defied the odds, choosing the right path over the easy one, and the outcomes benefited a larger group. What makes those days special is seeing the results of my effort, knowing the quiet struggles I endured, and witnessing perseverance pay off.
Her story is more than inspiration, it’s a blueprint. One for young professionals navigating bias, burnout, and boardrooms where their voice isn’t always heard.
Because when one CBAP rises, the whole profession rises.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your own quiet power into visible impact.
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