Sanele Luthando Cebekhulu, Group Accountant
Onboarding and Project Accountant
Current Experience:
Group Accountant at ZIG Capital · Full-time Aug 2024 - Jul 2025 · (1 yr)
Past Experience:
Financial Accountant at Thekvest Group · Contract Apr 2024 - Jul 2024 · (4 mos)
Financial Accountant at Outsourced Finance · Full-time Apr 2023 - Mar 2024 · (1 yr)
Accounts Payable Administrator at SPAR South Africa · Full-time Oct 2021 - Mar 2023 · (1 yr 6 mos)
Trainee Accountant at Austral Accounting · Contract Mar 2018 - Sep 2021 · (3 yrs 7 mos)
Qualifications:
National Diploma of Accounting
Bachelor of Technology, Taxation
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Meet Sanele Luthando Cebekhulu, a Group Accountant who believes numbers don’t just report history, they tell the story of survival, struggle, and strategy.
From winning the Emerging Catalyst Award to qualifying as a Professional Accountant (SA), Sanele has proven that discipline, faith, and structure can turn chaos into clarity. His career hasn’t been about ticking boxes, it’s been about transforming finance from reactive spreadsheets into proactive strategy.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
06:30 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 mornings by giving thanks to the Lord for a new day, and then I make a call to my mother.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My interest in accounting and finance grew from my love for structure, logic, and the way numbers tell a story. I find it fascinating that financial statements can reveal the full picture of a business, its challenges, successes, decisions, and even its future path, all through numbers.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of my biggest career milestones was qualifying as a Professional Accountant (SA) and receiving the Emerging Catalyst Award. That moment went beyond just earning a title, it represented years of discipline, sacrifice, and overcoming self-doubt.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I’m the Group Accountant at Zig Capital, where I manage the financial operations across multiple entities in the group. My role is both hands-on and strategic, I ensure accurate financial reporting, oversee the month-end close, and prepare management accounts that guide important business decisions.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute to the company’s financial strategy by making sure our reporting is not only accurate but also meaningful. It’s more than compliance or bookkeeping; I focus on turning the numbers into insights that help guide better business 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 was stepping into the Group Accountant role and taking responsibility for multiple entities, each with different compliance requirements, reporting structures, and historical inconsistencies, all without a proper handover.
I tackled it by relying on my technical knowledge, staying disciplined, and asking the right questions rather than cutting corners. I put systems in place: cleaned up the trial balances, built templates for monthly reporting, and introduced recurring compliance trackers. I also made communication a priority, working closely with both internal stakeholders and external consultants to keep everyone aligned.
On a personal level, I stayed grounded through prayer and reminded myself that I was placed in this role for a reason. Over time, the finance function shifted from being reactive to proactive, and seeing that transformation has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
To manage the company’s financial operations effectively, I combine the right tools with clear processes and a structured approach.
I use Xero to keep financial records accurate and accessible, making invoicing, reconciliations, and VAT submissions more efficient. Alongside that, I follow detailed month-end close procedures and compliance checklists, which help me stay on top of multiple entities and ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
To stay balanced during busy periods, I break my workload into smaller, manageable pieces and tackle the most impactful tasks first. I’ve learned to separate what’s truly important from what only feels urgent, which helps me set realistic daily goals. I also protect quiet hours for deep work, just two uninterrupted hours can be incredibly productive. Most importantly, I remind myself that I don’t have to do it all alone. I acknowledge when I’m tired, ask for help when needed, and avoid tying my self-worth to productivity.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I focus a lot on activities that nurture both my body and mind. Staying active keeps me clear-headed and helps restore my focus. I also value solitude and stillness, whether it’s a quiet walk, journaling, or simply sitting in silence, those moments recharge me. Music and worship play a big role too; sometimes I’ll sit with a gospel track and let it speak to whatever I’m facing. It keeps me grounded spiritually and reminds me I’m supported, even in chaotic seasons.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Yes, I do mentor and support team members, even if it’s often informal. I try to create an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and learning. Finance can feel overwhelming at times, especially for those just starting out, so I make it a priority to be approachable and supportive. I also lead by example, whether it’s managing pressure, meeting deadlines, or taking ownership of my work. If I can help someone build confidence and find their rhythm, it’s a win for both them and the team.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
For anyone looking to work in a finance department, I’d suggest focusing on developing both strong technical skills and a solid professional mindset. Finance requires accuracy, integrity, and consistency, qualities that matter just as much as knowledge. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s very rewarding if you’re committed to learning and growing. Also, know your “why.” Understanding how your work impacts the bigger picture makes it easier to stay motivated, even during busy periods like year-end or audit season.
“I have a few. I love, “In a great plan, God has a master plan.” This quote is seasonal. I often resonate with it during turbulence in my life. However, during the quiet moments, I am often reminded, “In the end, we remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our loved ones. Lest we forget. From privation to possession, there is no turning back. A luta continua! The struggle continues.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
One of the most valuable leadership lessons I’ve learned is that “a true leader creates other leaders, not just followers.” Leadership isn’t about being the only decision-maker or having people follow you blindly. It’s about empowering others to step into their own leadership roles, giving them the confidence, skills, and support to contribute at their best. When you focus on developing leaders around you, you build a stronger, more capable, and resilient team.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something people might find surprising about me is my love for poetry. I’ve always been drawn to words and language, and I’ve even written an isiZulu poem called “Lapho Ezintabeni”, which is a personal reflection on life and loss. Poetry is my way of processing emotions and experiences creatively.
I also enjoy being in nature whether hiking or going on road trips. Being surrounded by mountains or near the ocean always helps me recharge and gain clarity.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower to help me in my job, it would be the ability to master multitasking. With so many tasks and deadlines to manage every day, being able to handle everything at once would make me far more efficient and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is to prioritise tasks and use time-blocking. I also make sure to stay hydrated and take a moment to celebrate small wins along the way.
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 the Emerging Catalyst Award. That moment was meaningful because it recognized all the hard work and dedication I’d put into my professional journey. It wasn’t just a personal achievement, it reflected the impact I had made within my company and the wider community.
The award affirmed that I was on the right path and also deepened my sense of responsibility to continue driving positive change. It felt like a celebration of growth and a reminder that every effort, no matter how small, contributes to something greater. That day truly reinforced my belief in perseverance, leadership, and making a difference.
Sanele’s journey reminds us that finance is more than compliance, it’s leadership, storytelling, and service.
He lives by the belief that true leaders create leaders, not followers. And in a profession often weighed down by burnout, red tape, and self-doubt, his story is proof that faith and discipline can carry you through the hardest audits life throws at you.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your own finance journey into one of recognition, resilience, and respect.
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