Ockert Pienaar, Financial Accountant
Financial Accountant
Current Experience:
Financial Accountant: Africa at Cartrack · Full-time Jun 2025 - Present · (7 mos)
Past Experiences:
Accountant at EMS Tax · Full-time Mar 2023 - May 2025 · (2 yrs 3 mos)
SAIPA Article Trainee at A Naude Accountants · Full-time Jan 2020 - Mar 2023 · (3 yrs 3 mos)
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree Accounting and Finance
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Meet Ockert Pienaar, The Quiet Fixer Behind Clean Audits
He’s not loud. He’s not flashy. But when public sector clients face chaos in their fixed asset registers, he’s the guy they call.
Ockert Pienaar didn’t just fall into finance, he grew into it, mentored by his mother, an accounting lecturer.
Today, he works on the ground, reconciling messy data, fixing compliance blind spots, and helping clients land clean audits after years of risk.
He’s a SAIPA Top 10 performer. A golfer. A gamer. And quietly, one of the reasons some public institutions are staying above board.
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?
It depends on the day. If I'm working from home, I start by preparing my wife’s breakfast and packing her food for the day. If I’m scheduled to be at a client’s office, I just get ready and head out.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
My interest started in high school, inspired by my mom who was an accounting lecturer. I was often exposed to her work, and that early insight into the field sparked my curiosity and eventually my passion for it.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One major milestone was completing my SAIPA qualification and placing in the Top 10 in the board assessment, which I’m really proud of. Another defining moment was helping a client secure a clean audit opinion after years of difficulties. It took a lot of hard work but seeing that turnaround was incredibly rewarding.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I work as an accountant
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I support the company’s financial strategy by managing fixed assets for public sector clients. This includes maintaining accurate records, ensuring regulatory compliance, and offering insights that help guide financial planning and decision-making.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the toughest challenges I faced was resolving discrepancies in a client’s fixed asset register, which affected their financial reporting. I tackled it by carefully reconciling the data, working closely with the client to obtain missing information, and putting processes in place to avoid similar issues in the future. It required persistence and attention to detail, but the result was highly rewarding.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I use tools such as CaseWare and Munsoft to ensure accurate financial reporting and reconciliations. For managing assets, I maintain structured registers and conduct compliance checks in line with GRAP standards. My approach includes regular reconciliations, thorough documentation, and close collaboration with clients to keep operations smooth and compliant.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
When things get busy, I prioritise tasks, break them into smaller steps, and set clear deadlines. I take short breaks to recharge and stay organised with a detailed schedule. Keeping a healthy work-life balance, through family time or exercise, helps me stay grounded and maintain productivity.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I like spending time with family, playing golf, mountain biking, and gaming. These hobbies help me relax and recharge.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
I don’t have a formal mentoring role, but I collaborate closely with the team and offer support whenever needed. I’m always willing to share knowledge, work together, and help address challenges as they arise.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
I’d advise anyone aiming to work in a finance department to build a solid understanding of accounting principles and keep current with financial regulations. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are crucial, as is proficiency with tools like Excel and financial software. Equally important are effective communication and the ability to work well within a team.
“One of my favourite quotes is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
It reminds me to trust in God’s strength and guidance, especially during challenging times.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
One important lesson I’ve learned is the value of leading by example. Staying accountable, acting with integrity, and being approachable sets the tone for the team. Treating others with respect and being open to learning from them has been essential for building trust and strong working relationships.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
A surprising fact about me is that I enjoy gaming. It’s a fun way to relax and unwind, and not something people usually associate with someone in finance, but it’s a hobby I’ve always enjoyed.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
I’d choose a superpower I’d call “Data Dynamo”—the ability to instantly organise, analyse, and interpret any financial data effortlessly.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
To stay productive during long workdays, I take short breaks to recharge, keep a clear to-do list to stay organised, and rely on coffee to keep my energy up.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
If I had to choose, it would be the day I helped a client secure a clean audit opinion after years of difficulties. Seeing the results of all the hard work and knowing it had a meaningful impact was incredibly rewarding.
Too often, business accountants are invisible. But people like Ockert are the reason systems work. He’s not just balancing books, he’s building trust, restoring order, and helping fix what others ignore.
To every CBAP out there grinding quietly in the background: We see you.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your impact into income, and get the recognition you’ve earned.
Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
Not yet a professional designated accountant?
CIBA is the professional body for all accountants.
We offer designations for each stage of your finance career:
➥ Bookkeeper
➥ Financial Administrator
➥ Financial Accountant
➥ Financial Manager
➥ Chief Financial Officer
➥ Accountant-In-Practice
Become a CIBA Member
Your first step towards a professional designation
