Rooksana Abdool, Accountant
Accountant
Current Experience:
Accountant at R.S Accounting & Bookkeeping Services Ltd · Freelance Oct 2023 - Present · (2 yrs 4 mos)
Director at Corlett Maintenance Services · Full-time Feb 2020 - Present · (6 yrs)
Past Experience:
Accountant at Techumanity Estates · Freelance Nov 2023 - Dec 2023 · (2 mos)
Payroll Administrator at DNI Investment · Full-time Dec 2022 - Nov 2023 · (1 yr)
Accountant at Kaka Group · Full-time Jul 2021 - Dec 2022 · (1 yr 6 mos)
Accountant at Wolff Neuhaus Inc May 2009 - Oct 2021 · (12 yrs 6 mos)
Accounting Bookkeeper at Girls and Boystown SA Apr 2005 - May 2009 · (4 yrs 2 mos)
Education:
Bachelor's Degree Financial Accountant
Bcompt Financial Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
“From cashbooks to boardrooms, meet Rooksana, the accountant who proved that persistence beats pedigree.”
She’s not just crunching numbers. She’s challenging directors, drafting financials from scratch, and mentoring the next generation — all while mastering squash, paddle, and payroll.
In a world that often overlooks quiet excellence, Rooksana shows what happens when you back yourself harder than anyone else ever did.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
08:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I usually spend the first hour of my morning settling into work and getting started on my tasks for the day.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
I’ve always had a natural flair for working with numbers and preparing financials, and I enjoy seeing everything come together in the final result.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
I began my career at an auditing firm, starting with basic cashbook work, and steadily worked my way up within the company. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Financial Accounting in 2022, which was a major milestone for me. I’m also proud to be an Associate of SAIT, the South African Institute of Taxation.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I work as an accountant and freelancer. In my previous role, I was involved in payroll, and in my current work I prepare cashbooks from client bank statements and draft financial statements. I also manage VAT for several clients, including preparing and submitting their VAT returns.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by applying my expertise in my field, particularly through drafting annual financial statements that support informed business decision-making. I also ensure the timely submission of returns, which helps the business remain compliant and financially sound.
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 was managing differing opinions among six directors on how repairs and maintenance versus capital expenses should be treated. I overcame this by doing thorough research and clearly explaining the different treatments, which helped align everyone on the appropriate approach.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I rely on a range of accounting software that I’ve found to be efficient and intuitive. Most of these systems are similar in nature, which makes it easy to adapt and work across them. These include Pastel Partner, Sage 300, Sage Online Accounting, Navision, and Sage Evolution.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I stay balanced by prioritising tasks from most important to least important, while remaining focused, calm, and organised, especially during busy periods.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy staying active through sports like squash, padel, and long walks. I also enjoy board games, as they help me relax while keeping my mind engaged.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
I do support and mentor other team members, and I’m known for being calm and patient in my approach. I regularly check that concepts are clearly understood and, if not, I’m always willing to explain and demonstrate again until everything is clear.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice would be to prioritise developing strong attention to detail, as it is essential for success in any finance role.
“I have learnt from the various companies that I have been employed in, that one has to have attention to detail in whatever they do. ”
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 never settle for less. Even if others don’t have faith in you, believe in yourself and be your own biggest supporter.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio? A hobby, interest, or fun fact?
Something surprising about me is that I continually surprise myself with my own perseverance.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be? Predicting financial trends? Master multitasking?
If I could have any superpower for my job, it would be the ability to master multitasking.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is to stay optimistic and focus on the end results, which keeps me motivated.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
If I could relive one day from my career, it would be the first day I presented the company’s finances at a board meeting for an NGO I worked with. I was nervous at the time, but the presentation went successfully, and the slides were well-received, making it a memorable and rewarding experience.
Rooksana’s story is what CIBA is all about: turning overlooked professionals into indispensable financial leaders.
She didn’t wait for permission. She made herself essential.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to own your value, charge what you’re worth, and take your seat at the table.
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