Robertha Mabasa, Financial Accountant
Financial Accountant
Current Experience:
Financial Accountant at Telesure Investment Holdings (TIH) · Full-time Sep 2024 - Present · (1 yr 2 mos)
Past Experience:
Senior Specialist: Finance and Operations at EOH · Full-time Apr 2024 - Sep 2024 · (6 mos)
Audit Senior at EY · Full-time Nov 2022 - Apr 2024 · (1 yr 6 mos)
Junior Audit Manager at BDO South Africa · Full-time May 2022 - Nov 2022 · (7 mos)
Trainee External Auditor at SNG Grant Thornton Aug 2018 - Jan 2022 · (3 yrs 6 mos)
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
“From London audits to local impact, meet the CA(SA) with a side hustle that feeds families.”
Roberta Mabasa doesn’t just crunch numbers, she builds futures. Whether she’s fine-tuning reinsurance reports at Auto & General or using her Saturdays to pack groceries for the hungry through her R50 for Change initiative, Roberta shows us what real leadership looks like.
She qualified as a CA against the odds, ran international audits before 30, and still finds time to mentor junior accountants and perfect her makeup artistry. Her story reminds us: resilience isn’t a buzzword. It’s a lifestyle.
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?
I start my mornings by reading the Bible and praying, followed by a good cup of coffee.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My interest in accounting and finance comes from the challenge and variety the field offers. It’s about breaking down complex financial data, spotting patterns, and drawing insights that help solve problems in creative ways. I’ve always been curious about how businesses operate, and accounting gives you a clear view of their inner workings, the strengths, weaknesses, and the decisions that shape their future. What excites me most is the impact accountants have on guiding financial decisions and the constant need to stay current with evolving standards and regulations, which keeps the work both dynamic and rewarding.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of my biggest milestones was qualifying as a CA after years of dedication and perseverance. Another defining moment was successfully running audits in London, applying the skills and knowledge I had gained during my articles in South Africa.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I work as a Technical Accountant in A&G, where I handle and review monthly tasks to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. My role also includes involvement in audits, preparing technical papers, and specialising in reinsurance.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by delivering accurate financial reporting and analyzing key financial movements to provide meaningful insights. I also collaborate closely with various stakeholders to help drive important strategic decisions.
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 meeting the varying expectations of different stakeholders within tight timelines. I managed this by maintaining clear communication, setting accurate timelines, and ensuring transparency to create realistic and manageable expectations.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I rely on Workiva for preparing Annual Financial Statements and use SAGE X3 as the main accounting software to manage financial operations effectively.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
At the start of each day, I set a clear and realistic schedule, assigning time blocks for tasks, meetings, and breaks. I make a point of sticking to this plan as much as possible, which helps me stay focused on the most important priorities. At the same time, I remain flexible enough to adjust when unexpected tasks or urgent issues come up. To keep my energy and focus throughout the day, I build in regular breaks to recharge and reset.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I spend a lot of time on my passion for makeup artistry. I’m self-taught and continue to grow my skills through both commissioned projects and personal creative work, while also keeping up with the latest industry trends.
I’m also dedicated to giving back to my community. I started and run R50 for Change, a non-profit that provides essential groceries to families in need. It’s a way for me to use the resources I have to make a real difference in people’s lives.
To stay balanced, I focus on self-care and spiritual growth. I enjoy casual gym sessions to keep active, and I make time for church services and bible study, which help me stay grounded and connected.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Yes, I support some of the junior accountants by offering guidance when they get stuck, sharing technical advice, and stepping in to help whenever needed.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Commit to continuous learning: Stay updated with industry developments and keep expanding your skills to stay engaged and challenged.
Understand accounting principles: Go beyond just crunching numbers, grasp the purpose and reasoning behind transactions and tasks.
Master financial storytelling: Learn to interpret and communicate financial data in a clear and meaningful way.
Collaborate and ask for help: Appreciate the value of teamwork and don’t hesitate to seek guidance when needed.
Plan and track your career: Regularly review your career path and make adjustments to ensure it aligns with your goals and aspirations.
“Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”
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 view your role as constantly “under construction.” Leadership isn’t something you can coast on, there are always new challenges, teams, and situations to navigate. By regularly reflecting on what isn’t working and identifying what needs to be built or improved, you stay adaptable, grow with the times, and better support the people you lead. This mindset also helps keep you humble.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something people might find surprising about me is that I love coordinating events, whether it’s birthdays, weddings, or baby showers.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower for work, it would be mastering multitasking, it would save me a lot of time and help keep all stakeholders satisfied.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is to take regular breaks.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
If I could relive one day from my career, it would be the day I received an email from work congratulating me on qualifying as a CA. That moment was special because it showed me that resilience and hard work truly pay off and that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.
Feeling stuck in the shadows of big-firm prestige? You’re not alone. CIBA exists to help accountants like Roberta rise, to own their expertise, charge what they’re worth, and turn every skill into a revenue stream.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to build a career that funds your purpose, not just your paycheck.
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