Thendo Masola, Financial Reporting Accountant
Financial Reporting Accountant
Current Experience:
Financial Reporting Accountant at De Beers Group · Full-time Jan 2025 - Present · (9 mos)
Past Experience:
Lecturer at IIE Varsity College · Part-time Feb 2024 - Dec 2024 · (11 mos)
Audit Manager at KPMG South Africa Full-time Oct 2023 - Dec 2024 · (1 yr 3 mos)
Supervisor at KPMG South Africa Oct 2022 - Oct 2023 (1yr 1 mo)
Trainee Accountant at KPMG South Africa Jan 2020 - Oct 2022 (2 Yrs 10 mos)
Tutor at University of the Witwatersrand Feb 2017 - Dec 2019 · (2 yrs 11 mos)
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Accounting Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Thendo Masola isn’t just another number in the finance department, she’s a mom, a leader, and a boundary-setter in an industry that too often demands everything and gives little back.
By day, she’s the Financial Reporting Accountant at De Beers Group. By heart, she’s a fierce believer in doing work that honours both your profession and your peace.
This isn’t a story about numbers. It’s about knowing your worth, protecting your sanity, and building a career that doesn’t break you.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
06:30 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I have a 5-month-old and a 2-year-old, so my first hour is all about them. We usually stay in bed, enjoying cuddles and quiet time together before the day really starts.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
In high school, accounting just clicked for me, I was consistently scoring in the 90s without having to put in the same level of effort I did for subjects like physics. It felt natural, logical, and enjoyable, so choosing it as my first option at university was an easy decision. It was the subject I understood best and performed well in, which made the path toward accounting and finance feel like the right fit.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of the biggest milestones for me was starting my articles, and just a month in, the Covid-19 pandemic hit. It was such an uncertain and overwhelming time, but I managed to complete my first year of articles and came out of it having learned so much. That experience showed me how resilient and resourceful I could be. It also pushed me to become independent early on and taught me to take real ownership of my work.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
In my role, I handle month-end reporting, which includes the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow. I also prepare the annual financial statements, act as the main contact for external auditors, and take care of forecasting and budgeting. On top of that, I’m responsible for overseeing internal controls.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I support the company’s financial strategy by managing receivables and payments to keep cash flow on track, preparing accurate budgets and forecasts, and analyzing actual results against projections. This allows me to adjust future budgets in line with trends and ensure the business stays financially sound.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the toughest challenges I faced was feeling overworked while raising two very young children and struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It left me feeling like I couldn’t be fully present for my family or fulfilled at work. I tried to manage it and even raised my concerns with my seniors, but it remained difficult. Eventually, at eight months pregnant, I decided to resign and put my wellbeing first. In my current role, I set clear boundaries from the start, making it known that my family comes first. While work can still get busy and deadlines have to be met, those boundaries remain in place. This has made a huge difference, helping me protect my family time and improve my mental health.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I contribute to the company’s financial strategy by overseeing receivables and payments to maintain healthy cash flow, preparing precise budgets and forecasts, and analyzing results against projections. This allows me to identify trends and make informed adjustments to strengthen future financial planning.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy creating content on TikTok, especially around topics like the journey to becoming a CA, toxic workplaces, and some of the wild stories from corporate life. I also love reading and watching crime thrillers and true crime. On top of that, I’m very involved in church life and really enjoy working with the youth there.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Focus on developing strong analytical skills, don’t just see transactions as debits and credits, but understand their purpose and whether they make sense. Cultivate the habit of asking questions, as this will deepen your understanding and help you communicate effectively about what’s happening. Also, take an interest in the broader business: learn the terminology, understand how different parts operate, and stay aware of what’s going on overall.
“It’s more a scripture, Colossians 3:23-24 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ”. This always reminds me not to expect praise or thanks from other people for the work I put in, but to rather to do it as if I were doing it for God where I will receive no recognition.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
A key leadership lesson I follow is: “Lead the way you would like to be led.” I strive to be the kind of leader I wish I’d had, fair, compassionate, and understanding.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something people might be surprised to learn about me is that I’m a skilled cook, I even recently catered for around 60 guests at a friend’s wedding!
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower for work, it would be the ability to add more hours to the day!
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My strategy for staying productive during long workdays is to take regular breaks, stay hydrated, go for short walks, and, of course, enjoy plenty of cuddles and kisses from my little ones.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
If I could relive one day from my career, it would be the day I passed my APC. It felt like the culmination of a long journey, and I remember the huge sense of relief and pride thinking, “We made it, Thendo.” That feeling still warms my heart today.
If you’ve ever felt like the juggle is breaking you, like your job is stealing time from your family, your joy, your sense of self, read Thendo’s story again.
This is what boundaries look like. This is what courage looks like. This is what a real finance professional looks like.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to build a practice or career that protects your whole life, not just your income.
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