Nthabiseng Sekanka, Financial Director
Financial Director
Current Experience:
Financial Director at Battery Power Industries · Full-time Dec 2021 - Present · (3 yrs 9 mos)
Management Accountant TDS Projects Construction (Pty) Ltd · Full-time Jun 2018 - Present · (7 yrs 3 mos)
Past Experience:
Trainee Accountant at MBH Accounting and Tax Services CC Jan 2015 - May 2018 · (3 yrs 5 mos)
Administrative clerk Department of Defence Jan 2012 - Dec 2014 · (3 yrs)
Qualifications:
Postgraduate Degree Financial Accounting
Advanced Diploma Management Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Some careers are built step by step. Nthabiseng’s was built on faith, grit, and a little bit of divine timing. From walking into a random office with her CV and landing a job on the spot, to becoming Financial Director at Battery Power Industries, her story proves that passion and persistence still matter. She’s not just managing cash flow and compliance, she’s rewriting what leadership in finance looks like.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
09:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
On weekends, I like to start my morning with a cup of tea while enjoying the fresh breeze. During the week, I usually spend the first hour planning my day and putting together my to-do list.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My passion for accounting started back in school. Even though I performed better in science subjects, I was always drawn to accounting because it just made sense to me, every plus has a minus, and the principles create balance. I struggled at first due to teaching styles, but once I got to high school and had a teacher who encouraged interaction, my understanding and love for accounting grew. I chose to pursue commercial subjects despite being advised to go into science, because I knew accounting was where my heart was.
In university, I majored in Cost and Management Accounting and later completed postgraduate studies. While working as an article clerk, I was fortunate to have a mentor who introduced me to taxation. She explained complex tax laws in such a simple, relatable way that it sparked a deep interest in the field. That experience broadened my passion beyond management and financial accounting, into taxation as well.
Since then, I’ve completed an advanced diploma in management accounting with CIMA, pursued additional tax courses, and I’m currently studying for my Master’s in Taxation. Even after being promoted to Financial Director, I remain committed to furthering my studies in both CIMA and tax. For me, that continued drive to learn and grow reflects how passionate I am about accounting and taxation.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
I truly feel blessed with the way my career has unfolded. One of the biggest defining moments for me was how I actually started in accounting. I remember telling my then-boyfriend (now husband) that I was going to look for a job physically. I made a list of companies and we drove from Hammanskraal into town with just enough petrol money my mom had given us. After several rejections and even getting lost on the way to another company, I walked into an office on my list and asked if they had vacancies. To my surprise, they interviewed me on the spot, thinking I had been called in for an interview. I explained I hadn’t, I was just looking for an opportunity. They admired that initiative, and after checking my references, I was hired to start the very next day. That moment was a turning point, and I still see it as the foundation of everything that followed.
Three years later, after completing my articles, I landed a role as a Management Accountant at TDS Projects Construction. I honestly applied with little expectation, knowing most of my experience was in financial accounting and taxation, not cost and management, and I was coming from an audit firm background rather than industry. But again, doors opened, and I was given the opportunity. Three years into that role, I was promoted to Financial Director, also taking on responsibilities for Battery Power Industries, one of the related companies. That promotion was another huge milestone, one I thought was still many years away.
Alongside these roles, I also built my own accounting firm, encouraged by former clients from my article clerk days who insisted on continuing to work with me. Looking back, each of these moments, from that very first day I walked into an office uninvited, to growing into leadership and entrepreneurship, has shaped me. I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible teams who feel like family, and the journey has kept me constantly learning and challenged, which I’m very grateful for.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
At BPI, I oversee the overall financial health of the company. My responsibilities include ensuring compliance, improving profitability, and developing strategies to support sustainable growth. At TDS, my role is more focused on the accounting side of the business, where I manage the accounts and supervise both the accounts and creditors clerks.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by actively managing the company’s cash flow, carrying out financial and tax planning in an effective and efficient way, and ensuring that all financial and tax compliance requirements are consistently met.
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 has been learning how to negotiate effectively with key stakeholders. Coming from a debit-and-credit background, I wasn’t used to sitting at the table with investors and financial institutions. Over time, I realized how critical those negotiations are for keeping the business running, so I focused on developing my communication skills and building confidence in that space.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I rely heavily on careful planning and consistent reviews of both financial performance and compliance to keep operations on track.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I make it a point not to leave tasks to the last minute. While I thrive under pressure and often get lost in work, as a first-time mom I’ve learned that planning and prioritising are essential to staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I love reading, especially romantic novels, as I’m a bit of a romantic at heart. I also enjoy watching comedy to unwind, with The Big Bang Theory being my go-to when I need a good laugh. Most importantly, I recharge by spending quality time with my family; time with them helps me feel refreshed and grounded.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Yes, I do mentor my team. Having had a mentor who made a huge impact on me, I understand the value of guidance and try to provide the same support. I break down complex concepts into simpler terms, show how accounting principles connect logically, and encourage team members to explore and connect statements to relevant laws themselves. When accounting is explained clearly and passionately, it’s easier for others to grasp and engage with it.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
For anyone looking to build a career in finance or accounting, my advice is to ensure it’s something you’re truly passionate about. When you love what you do, it never feels like work, you’ll be motivated by the challenge of tackling complex issues, like understanding IFRS 16 or implementing new tax laws, and seeing the real impact of your work. I also recommend focusing on mastering the fundamentals of accounting; once you understand the core principles, everything else will fall into place.
“Whether you think you can or cannot. You are right.” By Henry Ford. And “Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.” Someone said that. I live by those quotes. ”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
You are never too experienced or qualified to keep learning. There’s always something new to discover, and the best leaders are those who enter a room willing to acknowledge they don’t know everything and can learn from others.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I’m a big fan of romance novels. Most people assume I stick to educational or inspirational books, but honestly, I love the fun, lighthearted reads the most.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
I like to think I’ve got multitasking down as a normal human, so if I could have a superpower, it would be predicting financial trends, or maybe being a super skilled negotiator, which would definitely come in handy.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I stay productive by starting my day early, taking short tea breaks, and focusing on my to-do list. Writing tasks down keeps me motivated to tick them off as I go.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
The day I was interviewed for my article clerk position and received the job offer just 10 minutes later. It felt like a moment of divine favour, and I truly felt blessed that day.
Nthabiseng’s mantra is simple: “Whether you think you can or cannot, you are right.” For her, accounting isn’t just a profession, it’s a calling that demands passion, planning, and the courage to keep learning no matter your title.
If you’re ready to turn passion into promotion, and compliance into opportunity, Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to take your career further.
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