Siboniso Hleza, Financial Manager
Financial Manager
Current Experience:
Financial Manager at Mayfair Hotel · Full-time Apr 2023 - Mar 2024 · (1 yr)
Past Experience:
Group Financial Accountant at Billion Group Ltd Apr 2022 - Mar 2024 · (2 yrs)
Financial Controller at Microelettrica Scientifica Group South Africa Jul 2020 - Mar 2022 · (1 yr 9 mos)
Senior Financial Accountant at Africawide Consulting (Pty) Ltd · Full-time Nov 2017 - Nov 2019 · (2 yrs 1 mo)
Junior Accountant at RNA Distribution Jan 2015 - Nov 2017 · (2 yrs 11 mos)
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree Accounting Science
CIMA - Cost and Management Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
“I got into accounting because of a bursary. I stayed because I saw the power in the numbers.”
Meet Siboniso Hleza, a Regional Accountant who went from intern to Junior Accountant in just six months, not because of luck, but because he delivers. From managing high stakes cost accounting across multiple locations to mentoring his team like a coach building future CFOs, Siboniso isn’t just crunching numbers, he’s building capacity.
His story is a reminder: Sometimes opportunity finds you, but it's what you do with it that defines your path.
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 getting ready for work, and on weekends I use that time to fit in a gym session.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
Honestly, my interest in accounting started when I received a bursary to study it, and that’s where my passion for the field began.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One key milestone was being promoted from intern to junior accountant within just six months at my first job. Another defining moment was stepping into the role of Financial Manager for a hotel and casino.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I’m a Regional Manager, responsible for handling accounting and cost accounting at the regional level, reporting directly to head office.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by providing cost insights and analyzing product mix details, which helps guide planning and identify the products that deliver the strongest contributions to focus on.
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 managing a high volume of work under tight deadlines. I’ve handled this by putting in longer hours to make sure everything gets done on time.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I focus on thorough monthly reviews of financial performance and make sure to highlight any areas of waste or inefficiency that need attention.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I stay balanced by making time to work out and keeping work at the office. Even if the hours are long, I avoid taking work home so I can maintain a clear boundary.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife, playing PlayStation, watching sports, and keeping active through working out.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
I mentor team members who report to me by sharing my processes and approaches. My goal is for someone on my team to be able to take over my current responsibilities within three years, allowing me to focus on new challenges.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice would be to have a solid understanding of the key accounting standards that impact the business, such as IAS 2, IAS 16, IFRS 9, and IFRS 13. Additionally, being highly proficient and efficient in Excel is essential.
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 be afraid to teach and share your knowledge with those who report to you.
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 at work, it would be the ability to go without sleep during month-end periods.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My strategy for staying productive during long workdays is to take a 10-minute break every two hours and always make sure I don’t skip lunch.
Siboniso’s not chasing titles, he’s chasing impact. Whether it's reducing waste, mentoring future finance leaders, or keeping the region’s numbers tight under pressure, he shows what it means to lead from the front.
This is what a CBAP looks like. Not just competent, accountable, strategic, and unshakably real.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to lead like this, with tools, titles, and a tribe that’s got your back.
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