Takatso Ratsatsi, Cost Accountant
Cost Accountant
Current Experience:
Cost Accountant at Northam Platinum Aug 2023 - Present · (2 yrs 5 mos)
Chairman Of the Board at Marida Heights Body Corporate · Contract Dec 2019 - Present · (6 yrs 1 mo)
Past Experiences:
Finance Manager at Zimile Consulting Engineers Full-time May 2023 - Jul 2023 · (3 mos)
Financial Accountant at Zimile Consulting Engineers Contract May 2022 - Apr 2023 (1 Yr)
Senior Audit Consultant at SAPRO · Contract Nov 2021 - Apr 2022 · (6 mos)
Assistant Audit Manager at Rakoma and Associates Inc. Full-time Apr 2020 - Oct 2021 · (1 yr 7 mos)
Study Support Coordinator at Rakoma and Associates Inc. Mar 2020 - Oct 2021 (1 Yr 8 mos)
Senior Auditor at Rakoma and Associates Inc Apr 2018 - Mar 2020 (2 Yrs)
Trainee Accountant at Rakoma and Associates Inc Apr 2015 - Mar 2018 (3 Yrs)
Audit Clerk at Rakoma and Associates Inc. Feb 2013 - Jan 2014 · (1 yr)
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in finance and Investment
Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Accounting Sciences
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Meet Takatso Ratsatsi, proof that discipline beats everything.
At 4AM, while the world’s still sleeping, he’s already planning the day and pushing limits. From dreaming of mines and banks in high school to qualifying as a CA(SA) and stepping into a strategic cost accountant role at Northam Platinum, Takatso’s journey is a masterclass in staying the course, even when the system fights back. He’s faced harassment, pushed through with mentorship and therapy, and came out stronger, smarter, and unapologetically focused.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
04:00 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 at 4 a.m., sitting at my study desk to plan my day. At 5 a.m., I head to the gym or go for a run outdoors.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
My interest in accounting started in grade 9, as I realized I had a knack for business and thought a career in finance could lead to great opportunities.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of my key career milestones was landing my dream job at a mine or bank, an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Another defining moment was qualifying as a CA(SA), which was both an incredible and relieving achievement.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I work as a cost accountant, where I evaluate and verify costs to ensure they align with the company’s strategies and budgets.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by making sure costs stay within budget and reporting on any variances. This supports our profitability goals and helps maximize shareholder value.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?8
One of the biggest challenges I faced was dealing with harassment and discrimination. I addressed it by filing a formal complaint against my senior manager, after seeking guidance from a SAICA mentor and consulting a psychologist.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I manage financial operations using SAP accounting software, applying my technical knowledge, including understanding cost drivers and using activity-based costing.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
To stay balanced during busy periods, I stay active to clear my mind and spark creative thinking. Spending time alone on the road can be surprisingly refreshing. I also focus on continuous technical learning, which keeps me updated with industry developments and mentally sharp.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy running and playing golf, which also gives me a chance to network and spend time with family.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
I’m not currently mentoring anyone, as I’ve been focusing on SAICA mentorship to navigate my own employment challenges. However, as the only CA(SA) in my department, I strive to inspire and encourage my team to pursue further education and enhance their skills. I emphasize that accounting goes beyond processing transactions—having a strong technical foundation allows for innovation. In my role as a tax practitioner, I also educate clients and help them understand their tax affairs.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice would be to develop strong technical skills and maintain a willingness to learn and improve continuously. Being approachable is important, as the finance department supports the broader business and needs to serve end users effectively. Understanding your work thoroughly makes you valuable, as it allows you to explain reports clearly and identify areas for improvement.
“Be the best vision of yourself. Make yourself proud.”
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 let your work speak for itself, doing your job well gives you credibility and confidence to stand your ground.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me is that I’m naturally introverted and tend to be shy around people I’m not familiar with.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower for my job, it would be the ability to predict the future.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is doing push-ups to refresh and energize my mind.
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 day I qualified as a CA(SA). It was an incredible feeling of accomplishment, and finally, I could shift my focus from constant studying to spending quality time with my family.
Takatso’s not just crunching numbers. He’s protecting shareholder value, challenging injustice, and quietly inspiring his team to rise up too. For him, accounting isn’t about transactions, it’s about transformation.
Want to level up like Takatso?
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to own your voice, grow your skills, and lead with impact.
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