Onke Siqola, Supervisor Fund Accountant
Supervisor Fund Accountant
Current Experience:Supervisor Fund Accountant-Accounting & Tax at TMF Group · Full-time Apr 2024 - Present · (1 yr 3 mos)
PAST EXPERIENCES:Apex Group Ltd Assistant Manager Full-time Sep 2023 - Mar 2024 · (7 mos)
Senior Fund Accountant at Apex Group
Senior Fund Accountant - Alternative Assets at Sanne Apr 2022 - Jun 2023 · (1 yr 3 mos)
Auditor-General of South Africa Audit Senior
Contract Sep 2019 to Mar 2022 · (2 yrs 7 mos)
Trainee Accountant Feb 2017 - Aug 2019 · (2 yrs 7 mos)
Qualifications:Bcompt Accounting
Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting Science
Country of Residence:South Africa
LinkedIn Profile: From uncertainty after high school to becoming a Chartered Accountant, Onke Siqola’s journey is one of quiet determination and steady growth. As a Supervisor in Fund Accounting at TMF Group, Onke balances client expectations, team development, and personal resilience. His story reminds us that success isn’t always linear, but with the right support and mindset, every setback can be turned into a breakthrough.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
09:30 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
The first thing I do when I wake up is make myself a cup of coffee.
On some Saturdays, I take part in Parkruns, so I’m usually up early, around 6:45. If I’m not attending, I like to put on some good music and spend the morning cleaning up my place.
Sundays are mostly for getting ready for church, or I use the time to catch up on a few TV shows.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
It was actually after high school, during my time at Varsity College, that I found my direction. I was quite unsure about what I wanted to do, so I initially enrolled in a Bachelor of Business Administration through UNISA, offered via Varsity College.
One of my modules was Accounting, and the lecturer really encouraged us to consider a career in the field, highlighting the many opportunities it could open up. I enjoyed the subject so much that I decided to change my course the following year and major in accounting.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Passing my CTA (Postgraduate) in 2018, on my third attempt, was a major turning point for me. That year, I was close to giving up. I was mentally and physically drained, work was demanding as I was in the final year of my articles, and failing CTA for the second time the year before had really taken a toll on my confidence.
But with the support of my firm, the Auditor-General of South Africa, as well as my family and peers, I pushed through and finally passed. It was a moment of real resilience and growth for me.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I'm currently a Supervisor, and my role involves supporting the manager in making sure the company’s objectives are met. In our industry, it’s especially important to meet the needs of clients and other stakeholders.
As the link between the manager and the team I oversee, I ensure everyone is productive and delivering quality work. Part of my responsibility is to give the manager confidence that the team can operate effectively without constant oversight. This means delivering high-quality output on time and handling any ad hoc client requests that come in.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I make sure that my team and I consistently deliver quality service to all our clients. This includes meeting agreed timelines, providing reports with minimal review comments, and maintaining high standards across our work. Doing so not only supports the renewal of existing contracts but also positions us well for future opportunities if a client expands their business. I also conduct regular check-ins with the team to ensure they have enough chargeable work to stay productive and meet targets.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
People management has definitely been the most challenging part of my role. I think it was particularly difficult for me because I’m naturally very independent and used to working on my own. When I stepped into a senior position, I initially had the same expectations of the people I managed.
This wasn’t a problem when team members delivered as expected or communicated any issues upfront. But it became a real challenge when deadlines were missed without prior notice.
What helped turn things around was introducing regular check-ins with the team, just to understand what everyone was working on and where they might need support, without micromanaging. Conversations with my manager and peers also played a big role in helping me navigate and improve in this area.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
One of my key responsibilities is to flag any potential challenges in meeting our deliverables on time, particularly when there are staffing constraints, so that management can arrange additional support if needed. I also follow up with team members regularly to make sure they have enough work to stay productive throughout the day or week.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I try to stick to a routine because it helps me feel less anxious. I also make a conscious effort not to stress over things that are out of my control, I focus my energy on what I can manage.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Over the past year, I’ve really enjoyed going to the gym regularly, it’s made a big difference to both my mental and physical wellbeing. I also love spending time with friends, whether we’re trying out new restaurants or watching a rugby match at the stadium.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Mentorship is an important part of my role. I provide regular feedback to employees on the tasks they’ve completed and often initiate one-on-one meetings to discuss their development areas. I share my perspective on where I see opportunities for growth, and I also encourage them to reflect on and share what they believe their own development areas are.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
It’s important to have an open mind and be willing to learn. I’m always picking up new skills on the job, so staying curious and eager to grow will really help you advance.
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
My favorite Bible verse is, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” To me, it’s a powerful reminder that as long as God is by my side, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
Making mistakes isn’t the end of the world. I tend to be hard on myself when I slip up, especially in a new job where I’m trying to prove myself. But I’ve learned that real growth comes from making mistakes and learning from them.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I enjoy watching a variety of sports, with rugby being my favorite.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
Having the ability to positively influence my environment.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I make sure to drink plenty of water and take short walks to clear my mind and recharge.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
The day I received the SMS confirmation from SAICA that I had passed the APC exams was such a huge relief. Just before getting the results, I had turned 30 and felt like my life was stuck, I wasn’t able to reach my full potential because I wasn’t yet qualified. Receiving that confirmation felt like a big breakthrough, giving me the freedom to move forward and grow in my career.
Onke’s advice to young professionals is simple but powerful: stay curious, be open to learning, and don’t let mistakes define you. Whether he’s mentoring his team, supporting clients, or cheering on the Springboks, he brings the same energy, focused, reflective, and quietly impactful. We’re proud to feature professionals like Onke who are shaping the future of finance, one relationship at a time.
Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
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