Thokozani Mtshali, Finance Manager
Finance Manager
Current Experience:
Finance Manager at Eq Group
Aug 2024 - Jan 2025 · (6 mos)
Past Experience:
Senior Accountant at Frances baard district municipality Aug 2015 - Jul 2024 · (9 yrs)
Budget and Risk Clerk at Dikgatlong Local Municipality Dec 2012 - Jul 2015 · (2 yrs 8 mos)
Financial Management Internship Program at Dikgatlong Local Municipality (2 Yrs 1 mo)
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
5am. While others sleep, he’s already thinking about revenue.
Thokozani Mtshali doesn’t just process numbers, he investigates them.
With 10+ years in finance and experience as a Financial Manager in both public and private sectors, he turns bank statements into insight, documents broken processes, and helps businesses see the real story behind their cash flow.
From securing new revenue streams to contributing to clean audits, his work is about one thing:
Accountability that drives results.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
05:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I usually start my morning quietly or go for a run.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
I became interested in accounting and finance because almost everything in life connects back to money and accountability. Whether it’s personal goals, government initiatives, or running a business, financial management plays a central role in achieving results. Understanding how resources are planned, tracked, and used responsibly is what really drew me in.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of my key career milestones has been contributing to increased revenue streams while improving operational efficiencies. Through strong analytical skills, practical business insight, and strict adherence to regulatory and compliance requirements.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
In my most recent position, I was appointed as the Financial Manager within the finance department.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute to the overall financial strategy by turning financial information into clear, meaningful insights that reflect the full picture of the business. I analyse income and expenditure to show where revenue is generated and how costs are allocated, ensuring decisions are based on accurate data. By identifying the true core drivers of the business, I help guide strategies that support sustainability and long-term profitability.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I faced in my previous role was documenting and formalising the business processes within the organisation. There was limited structured documentation in place, which made it difficult to ensure consistency and compliance.
To address this, I used the company’s bank statements as a primary source of information to trace and reconstruct all transactions. From there, I systematically recorded and classified each transaction in line with acceptable accounting standards. This process allowed me to create clear documentation, improve transparency, and strengthen financial controls within the business.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I have primarily used Sage to manage financial operations and ensure accurate accounting record-keeping. In addition, during my time working in the public sector as an Accountant within the finance department, I was exposed to various ERP and integrated financial management systems. These systems supported budgeting, reporting, compliance, and overall financial control across the organisation.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
During busy periods, I focus on fully understanding the issue at hand rather than reacting to pressure. I take the time to analyse the situation carefully so I can make sense of it and prioritise effectively. I then apply both my technical skills and practical understanding to support informed decision-making.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy jogging and running. I’ve completed several 21km half marathons.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
I have coached and mentored several finance interns during my time at Frances Baard District Municipality. I also took the initiative to recommend that all finance interns pursue SAIPA membership as part of their professional development, which I discussed and aligned with my manager to support their growth.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
I would advise someone aspiring to work in a finance department to stay open-minded and develop strong analytical skills. It is important to go beyond just working with numbers by being able to interpret them and communicate the insights clearly, turning data into a meaningful story.
“I’m a Zulu guy - my mantra is (siphila ngokukhona, okungekho akukho) ”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
I don’t have a specific leadership lesson from a mentor, but based on my life experience and upbringing, I’ve learned that investing in personal development is the most valuable investment one can make
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio? A hobby, interest, or fun fact?
I believe I have the ability to think strategically and contribute positively to the environment around me. I enjoy using my perspective and influence to help create a constructive and supportive atmosphere wherever I am.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be? Predicting financial trends? Master multitasking?
I would choose the ability to master multitasking, as it allows me to manage multiple responsibilities efficiently and stay on top of various tasks at the same time.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I stay productive during long workdays by taking short breaks to clear my mind and going for a brief walk when possible.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
There are a few days I would relive, especially the moments when we successfully secured new business and when we achieved a clean audit at the municipality.
His mantra?
“Siphila ngokukhona, okungekho akukho.”
We work with what we have — and make it count.
A marathon runner. A mentor to finance interns. A believer in self-investment.
For Thokozani, finance isn’t just compliance.
It’s discipline. It’s growth. It’s nation-building.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your financial expertise into income, impact, and professional recognition.
Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
Not yet a professional designated accountant?
CIBA is the professional body for all accountants.
We offer designations for each stage of your finance career:
➥ Bookkeeper
➥ Financial Administrator
➥ Financial Accountant
➥ Financial Manager
➥ Chief Financial Officer
➥ Accountant-In-Practice
Become a CIBA Member
Your first step towards a professional designation
