Tebogo Mashigo, Management Accountant
Management Accountant
Current Experience:Management Accountant at The ADVANTAGE Global Group · Full-time Mar 2024 - Present · (1 yr 3 mos)
PAST EXPERIENCES:Finance Manager and Human Resource Manager at Madladla Consulting and Projects · Full-time Mar 2021 - 2024 · (2 yrs 11 mos)
Quality Assurance Consultant at TolPlan Jul 2017 - Jun 2022 · (5 yrs)
Senior Accountant at Louis Pasteur hospital Apr 2017 - Jul 2017 · (4 mos)
Financial Accountant at The Royal Netherlands Embassy South Africa Jun 2016 - Dec 2016 · (7 mos)
Qualifications:National Diploma in Accounting and Economics
Country of Residence:South Africa
LinkedIn Profile: Meet Tebogo Mashigo, a Management Accountant at Advantage Global Group with over a decade in the finance industry. From helping his parents run their spaza and taxi businesses to driving strategic decision-making across multiple companies, Tebogo’s journey reflects a passion for practical insights, precision, and purpose.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
5:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
Take the first five minutes to pray and mentally prepare for the day. Then, go over my deadlines, organise my priorities, and get ready to head out for work.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
What sparked my interest in accounting and finance was a natural curiosity about how businesses operate and make decisions. I’ve always enjoyed working with numbers and analysing data, but what really drew me in was understanding how financial information drives strategy and growth. My mother had a spaza shop and my father ran taxi and construction companies. I always wanted to understand business operations and how to upscale small businesses based on financial information. This curiosity evolved into a genuine passion for helping organisations use financial insights to make informed, ethical, and effective decisions.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Selected for a prestigious three-year trainee program with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Promoted to Senior Accounting Clerk within my first year, and honored with the PwC Experience Award in my second year for delivering outstanding accounting services to a key client.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I am the senior management accountant for the group.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
As a management accountant for a group of companies, I contribute to the overall financial strategy by providing accurate, timely and financial insights that support strategic decision-making at both the group and subsidiary levels. I play a key role in budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning, ensuring that each company aligns with the group’s broader objectives.
I analyze performance trends, identify cost-saving opportunities, and evaluate the financial impact of potential investments or expansions. I also work closely with operational teams to ensure financial discipline across all entities, helping to standardize reporting and drive consistency in key financial metrics. By translating complex financial data into actionable insights, I support leadership in making informed decisions that drive growth, improve efficiency, and manage risk across the group.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I faced was implementing financial processing and reporting standards and frameworks in the company. Applying new working culture in the accounting and finance department to ensure information is kept up to date and accurate.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
To run financial operations smoothly, I rely on a combination of reliable systems, clear processes, and consistent communication. I use accounting tools like QuickBooks, Xero, and SAGE to stay organised and up to date. Staying on top of cash flow, budgeting, and forecasting is a key part of my routine, it helps us plan ahead and avoid unexpected issues. I also conduct regular financial reviews and reconciliations to spot any problems early. Collaboration with other departments is important to ensure our financial choices support the company’s broader goals. For me, it's about being proactive, thorough, and transparent. Taking pride in what I do also pushes me to deliver high-quality work.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I plan ahead by listing my tasks based on their importance and urgency. I try to tackle smaller, quick-win tasks first to clear mental space, then focus on the more complex and time-consuming ones with full attention. To maintain balance, I keep both my mind and body active, going to the gym regularly helps me manage stress and keeps my energy levels up. Physical activity not only helps me stay healthy but also allows my body to recharge and my mind to stay sharp, especially during high-pressure periods.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy staying active and making time for things that help me recharge. Going to the gym is a big part of my routine, it helps me clear my mind and release stress. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family especially my two kids whether it's catching up over a meal or just relaxing together. On quieter days, I like reading or listening to music, it helps me unwind and refocus. Having that balance outside of work really helps me stay grounded and energised during busy times.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Yes I do. I have two accounting clerks who report under me. I normally collaborate with them offer assistance and guidance when needed.I try to pass as much skills and knowledge unto them in order to develop them in their careers.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
First, take pride in your work, what you do can directly influence the success or failure of the company. Second, always keep learning. Finance and reporting are constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay current with new trends and updates. Third, find ways to keep yourself motivated. Working in finance can be stressful and draining, both mentally and physically, so it's essential to take care of your health and well-being. As I see it: “In finance, every number tells a story, and I’m committed to making sure it’s one of clarity, strategy, and growth.”
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
"I bring order to numbers, and calm to chaos."
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned from my first accounting partner at PwC, Mr. George Malan, was this: “Before taking a problem to senior management, ask yourself, have you thought it through fully? Have you considered all the possible outcomes?” He always emphasised the importance of thinking beyond the immediate issue and considering the long-term impact of any decision.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I enjoy cooking and working on construction projects. Growing up, I spent a lot of time helping out in my parents’ businesses, working alongside both my father and mother.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
It would be to clone myself and be able to do multiple tasks as the same time.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
Staying calm and muting my cellphone' notifications.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
The day I won the PwC experience award in 2011.
Tebogo’s approach to finance, structured, proactive, and human, sets the tone for future-focused leadership in management accounting. Connect with him on LinkedIn to follow his impact across the finance profession and beyond.
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