Phumudzo Bvumbi, Accountant
Accountant
Current Experience:
Accountant at Coface · Full-time Jul 2024 - Present · (1 yr 4 mos)
Past Experience:
Finance Intern at MiWay Insurance Limited · Internship Feb 2023 - Jun 2024 · (1 yr 5 mos)
Qualifications:
BCom Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Phumudzo Bvumbi isn’t just paying invoices, she’s paying her dues in a high-pressure world most 20-somethings would run from.
Fresh out of university. First-gen professional. Chosen from hundreds for a finance intern role. And now, the gatekeeper of company cashflow at Coface.
What started with counting coins for her mother’s vending business became a career in chasing accuracy, accountability, and ambition.
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?
I start my morning by brushing my teeth and washing my face, then I prepare my smoothie and water for the day. After that, I catch up on what’s happening on social media before getting into work.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My mom is a vendor, and I used to help her out with customers and calculate their change. I enjoyed counting her money when she went to restock and making sure everything balanced. That’s when I realized I loved working with numbers and keeping things in order, so pursuing a career in finance felt like the natural path for me.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of my biggest career milestones was graduating, something I once doubted I’d achieve, but I did. Another defining moment was landing my first job as a Finance Intern. In South Africa, opportunities can be scarce, so being selected from many applicants just six months after graduating was a moment of real pride and gratitude.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I’m an Accountant responsible for managing Accounts Payable. My role includes processing and paying invoices, monitoring outgoing payments, reconciling accounts payable reports, and handling any financial queries that come up during the day.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by ensuring that financial statements are accurate and up to date, which supports informed decision-making. I also make sure creditors are paid on time, as timely payments help maintain the company’s credibility and good relationships with suppliers.
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 handling the pressure that comes with closing financial periods. There are strict deadlines, and everything needs to balance perfectly within a short timeframe. I overcame this by improving my time management, starting tasks earlier and staying organized so that by the time deadlines approach, most of the work is already done.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I manage the company’s financial operations using Sage software and Excel to ensure accuracy, organization, and efficiency in all accounting tasks.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I stay balanced by prioritizing my tasks and delegating work when my workload is heavy. Taking breaks is also essential, even working from home full-time, I make sure to step away from my laptop for at least 40 minutes to recharge.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy exercising and watching Netflix, which help me relax and recharge.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice for someone aspiring to work in a finance department is to be prepared for high-pressure situations. Prioritize your tasks, don’t hesitate to ask senior colleagues for guidance when you’re unsure, and remember that asking for more work is a great way to gain experience and grow in your role.
“Sucess is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts- Winston Churchill”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
A valuable leadership lesson I’ve learned is to always treat colleagues with respect. You never know when your paths might cross again, and maintaining positive relationships is important both personally and professionally.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me is that I really enjoy creating TikTok videos, it’s a fun creative outlet outside of work.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
I’d love a superpower that could handle all my invoice processing for me.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I stay productive during long workdays by listening to music, it helps me stay focused and energized.
Finance isn’t just about balance sheets, it’s about balance. Between pressure and purpose. Between 40-minute breaks and month-end deadlines. Phumudzo’s story reminds us: resilience is a skillset. And passion? That’s your edge.
Inspired? Share this with someone doubting their first step in finance.
Want support that matches your hustle? Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn pressure into progress.
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