Sheadean Shandre Jacobs, Accountant
Accountant
Current Experience:
Accountant at Prime Investments · Full-time Aug 2025 - Present · (6 mos)
Past Experience:
Accountant at UCKG SA · Full-time Jun 2023 - Jan 2026 · (2 yrs 8 mos)
Accountant at Lund & Kieck Incorporated · Full-time Sep 2021 - Jun 2023 · (1 yr 10 mos)
Accountant at TSM · Contract Jan 2021 - Aug 2021 · (8 mos)
Audit Assistant at Lloyd Viljoen Auditors · Full-time Jan 2016 - Dec 2020 · (5 yrs)
Education:
BCom Financial Accountancy
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Sheadean Jacobs didn’t wait for the perfect path, she built one.
From completing her SAICA articles before her degree to being handpicked by partners for high-stakes clients, Sheadean’s story proves that talent backed by grit opens doors. Her mornings might start with a devotional, but her workday is all about managing deadlines, leading with calm, and keeping priorities locked in.
This is what resilience looks like in practice, focused, fast, and fiercely committed.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
07:30 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 morning by reading my devotional or a self-motivational pep talk.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
Honestly, my interest grew when I started my articles and then moved into the accounting side of things.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Being entrusted with a consolidation in my second year of articles.
Acting as senior on the firm’s largest client at the time.
Being specifically selected by my manager to work on a key client.
Completing my SAICA articles before obtaining my degree.
Completing my degree.
Being recommended to the firm’s largest client by the partner where I completed my articles.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I’m an Accountant in the finance department.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by preparing monthly management accounts, performing reconciliations, and managing inventory.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of my biggest challenges has been managing urgent ad hoc tasks alongside monthly deadlines, which I handle by prioritising based on urgency and timelines.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I rely on strong prioritisation and organisational skills to manage financial operations effectively.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I take things one day at a time, stay self-motivated, and keep my priorities in check.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy listening to music, spending time at the mall, taking my daughter to the park, or simply relaxing at home and watching TV.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
At this stage, I’m not involved in mentoring others.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Pursue a career in finance if you have a passion for numbers and problem-solving. If possible, complete your studies full-time first. Be open to exploring the variety of roles within finance, as it offers a diverse career path. Key skills and qualities include a willingness to learn, accepting feedback, accuracy, adaptability, self-motivation, and obtaining the necessary qualifications.
“Whatever you start make sure you finish it. This was given to me by my grade 12 economic teacher is part of the reason why I continued with my degree until completing it.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
A valuable lesson I’ve learned is to lead by working alongside your team, rather than just directing them.
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’m quite adventurous.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be? Predicting financial trends? Master multitasking?
I’d love the ability to solve problems faster or have advanced Excel skills instantly, without needing to write formulas.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
Listening to music helps me stay productive throughout long workdays.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
One day I would love to relive is when I received the compliment, “The audit work is outstanding.” It was especially meaningful because it came from one of the stricter partners, who was rarely at the firm due to other responsibilities.
Sheadean’s mantra? “Whatever you start, make sure you finish it.” That persistence has taken her from junior roles to managing monthly accounts and inventory for one of SA’s most fast-paced organisations.
Whether it’s juggling ad hoc demands, mentoring through example, or simply solving problems with precision, Sheadean is proof that accountants lead from the front, with accuracy, empathy, and a little background music to keep the pace.
Want to rise like Sheadean?
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn pressure into progress, and get the recognition you’ve earned.
Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
Not yet a professional designated accountant?
CIBA is the professional body for all accountants.
We offer designations for each stage of your finance career:
➥ Bookkeeper
➥ Financial Administrator
➥ Financial Accountant
➥ Financial Manager
➥ Chief Financial Officer
➥ Accountant-In-Practice
Become a CIBA Member
Your first step towards a professional designation
