Thabani Ngubane, Divisional Financial Accountant
Financial Accountant
Current Experience:Transnet Port Terminals Divisional Financial Accountant Jul 2023 - Present · (1 yr 11 mos)
PAST EXPRIENCES:Corporate Financial Accountant (10 mos)
Deputy Director: Financial Reporting at KwaZulu Natal Provincial Treasury Jan 2021 - Aug 2022 (1 Year 8 mos)
SAICA Trainee Accountant at KZN Provincial Treasury Jan 2018 - Dec 2020 (3 Years)
Qualifications:Bcom Accounting
Postgrad diploma in accounting
Country of Residence:South Africa
LinkedIn Profile: As a CA(SA) with nearly a decade of experience, Thabani’s not just guiding financial decisions, he’s shaping the future of his team and his business. With a calm mindset, sharp planning, and a love for music and nature, he’s proof that excellence and empathy can go hand in hand.
Thabani finds balance in his life by reading articles, listening to music, and watching rugby and soccer. He also enjoys reconnecting with nature through activities like hiking, often accompanied by his family, which allows him to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
6:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
Plan for the day and read news updates on apps.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
What drew me to accounting and finance is the multifaceted nature of the Chartered Accountant role. It demands a well-rounded individual who is skilled in financial management, business and financial analysis, strategic decision-making, and the ability to support and drive business growth. The role calls for problem-solving and innovative leadership—qualities I naturally resonate with. The challenge and responsibility of being both a business and finance leader continue to fuel my passion and motivation in this field
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of my most significant milestones was stepping into my current role. It was a pivotal moment that not only shifted my perspective but also greatly enhanced my leadership abilities. Managing a larger team has taught me how to empower others, enabling them to work both efficiently and effectively.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I am a Divisional Financial Accountant which is also known as Finance Manager in the industry.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute to the overall financial strategy by offering ideas on how it can be rigorously supported. I focus on identifying areas for improvement or change that will drive the strategy's success. This involves leveraging IT tools, fostering innovation, and collaborating closely with other departments and stakeholders to achieve the desired outcomes. Additionally, I assess potential risks that could impact the strategy and develop mitigation plans. Once the strategy is implemented, I continuously monitor its progress to ensure successful execution.
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 in my role was acting in two capacities simultaneously. It was highly demanding, but it ultimately came down to resilience and the ability to manage pressure. Thankfully, I excel in both areas and am always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that deliverables are thoroughly completed and deadlines are met. This approach helped me successfully navigate this challenge.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I manage the organization’s financial operations using the following strategies:
Strategic and Financial Planning: I use financial planning to mitigate risks and strategic planning to set clear goals and achieve long-term objectives.
Cash Flow Management: I monitor cash inflows and outflows using forecasting tools and real-time expense tracking to ensure resources are available for bills, commitments, and growth opportunities.
Inventory Management: This helps make informed decisions on purchases, usage, and sales while tracking liquidity.
Financial Statements: I analyze financial statements to identify growth opportunities and strategic business insights.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
My key strategy for staying balanced, especially during busy periods, is to remain calm and prioritize tasks based on deadlines. I use a calendar to manage routine tasks and add ad-hoc deliverables as they come in. For project-related tasks, I track progress against a detailed project plan. Additionally, it's crucial to clearly define each stakeholder's responsibilities for every deliverable and ensure they understand their role.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I read articles, listen to music, watch rugby, soccer and engage in nature reconnecting activities such as hiking with my family.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
I support my team members' development through individual development plans, which outline areas for growth that are agreed upon with each team member. Additionally, when updates affect the entire team, I ensure that training is provided to everyone to maintain alignment.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
For someone aspiring to work in a finance department, I would advise focusing on the following skills:
Strong technical finance knowledge and understanding of accounting frameworks.
Familiarity with compliance laws and regulations.
Effective financial management skills.
Attention to detail, along with planning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
Innovation and sound decision-making.
Strong negotiation, collaboration, and strategic leadership skills.
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." - Charles Darwin
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
A key leadership lesson I’ve learned is the importance of setting clear strategies and defining the organization’s future direction. This requires strong business acumen and an entrepreneurial mindset. A leader must also foster collaboration with operational teams and educate other departments on how their work impacts the company’s financial results.
Effective leadership requires openness, positivity, and enthusiasm to create a healthy business culture. I’ve realized that maintaining confidence, innovation, and humility is essential. I continuously develop myself to stay adaptable, make timely decisions, and understand the broader impact of business decisions.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Many people probably know that I am a football and rugby liker, but my deepest root of hobby is actually music. It is something of a great art, tells a story in each one's life, and for some, it helps them through hardships, gives them resilience and gives them hope for the future.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
Multitasking - I would be able to reduce the pressure and deliver magically.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is focusing on the end goal and following a detailed plan of the deliverables I need to complete. This helps keep me motivated and on track.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
A day when I qualified as a CA(SA) - it taught me that goals can be fulfilled, but it requires enormous efforts. It always seem impossible until it's done - Nelson Mandela. For me, this always drives my spirit in working effectively towards achieving my career goals.
Thabani’s journey reminds us that success in finance isn’t just about the frameworks, it’s about adaptability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Whether he’s mentoring his team, streamlining operations, or tracking cash flow, he’s always focused on progress.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to lead with confidence, clarity, and the courage to change.
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