Tino Barendse, Assistant Accountant
Assistant Accountant
Current Experience:
Assistant Accountant - Costing and Systems at De Beers Group · Full-time Sep 2024 - Present · (1 yr 5 mos)
Past Experience:
General Accountant at Anglo American · Full-time Apr 2018 - Sep 2024 · (6 yrs 6 mos)
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree Accounting
Postgraduate Diploma Taxation
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
From SAP to Blackline and still finding time to pray before the spreadsheets hit.
Meet Tino Barendse: a night owl who manages to bring daylight clarity to financial chaos.
He’s not just crunching numbers at De Beers, he’s forecasting storms, calming execs, and turning downturns into comebacks.
If you’ve ever faced cashflow panic or tried to explain Power BI to a panicking board, you’ll want to hear how Tino handles the heat.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
08:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I start my morning with prayer, then get ready for the day and prepare for work.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
My interest in accounting and finance comes from a genuine love for numbers and working with data. I enjoy problem-solving and the challenge of analysing financial information to support smart, strategic decisions. The wide range of career opportunities and long-term growth in the finance field also strongly appealed to me.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Some key milestones in my career include completing my degree in finance, which laid a strong foundation for my professional journey, and securing my first role in the finance sector. I’ve also had the opportunity to contribute to major financial projects, including audits and other high-impact initiatives. Progressing through promotions has marked important growth points for me, along with building a solid professional network and meaningful relationships with mentors and industry peers.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I work as an Accountant.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I support the business’s financial strategy through detailed financial planning and analysis, including forecasting performance, identifying trends, and providing insights that inform strategic decisions. I also play a key role in budgeting, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and aligned with the company’s overall goals.
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 was navigating a period of economic downturn when the company experienced revenue shortfalls and cash flow pressure. I addressed this by conducting a detailed financial assessment to understand the impact and pinpoint priority areas. I also maintained clear, transparent communication with key stakeholders to manage expectations and preserve trust. In addition, I developed multiple financial scenarios to prepare for different outcomes, which helped the business stay adaptable and respond quickly as conditions changed.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I use a combination of systems and tools to manage financial operations effectively. This includes ERP systems such as SAP for integrated financial processes, data analysis tools like Tableau and Power BI to generate insights, and advanced Excel for financial modelling, analysis, and reporting.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
During busy periods, I focus on setting clear boundaries between work and personal time and communicating my availability upfront. I’m mindful of my limits and avoid overcommitting by declining additional tasks when needed. I also take short, regular breaks during the day to stay focused and productive. After work, I make a point of unplugging from emails and notifications so I can properly recharge and maintain balance.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy travelling and experiencing new places and cultures. I value spending quality time with family and friends, as well as giving back through volunteering. I also enjoy staying active by taking part in team sports such as soccer, basketball, or tennis, which helps me recharge.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
Yes, I actively support and mentor other team members in the finance department. I schedule regular one-on-one sessions to discuss progress, challenges, and career goals, and I provide constructive feedback while recognising achievements to help motivate and develop their skills.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
For anyone aspiring to work in a finance department, it’s important to be able to analyze financial data and spot trends. Gaining proficiency in tools like Excel and other financial software will strengthen these skills. Accuracy is critical, so developing a strong attention to detail is essential to ensure all records and reports are correct. Clear written and verbal communication skills are also important for explaining financial information to colleagues who may not have a finance background. Additionally, effective time management is key, as finance roles often involve juggling multiple tasks and deadlines.
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill
This quote reminds me that both success and failure are part of the journey, and what truly matters is the perseverance to keep moving forward.”
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 power of active listening. Taking the time to truly hear your team, understand their perspectives, and value their input can greatly improve collaboration and build trust.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio? A hobby, interest, or fun fact?
Something surprising about me is that I collect perfumes.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be? Predicting financial trends? Master multitasking?
If I could choose a superpower for my job, it would be the ability to predict financial trends. Being able to anticipate market movements, economic changes, and investment opportunities with accuracy would greatly improve strategic planning and decision-making. That said, mastering multitasking would also be incredible, efficiently handling multiple tasks at once without losing focus or quality would boost productivity and help meet deadlines consistently.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
To stay productive during long workdays, I break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps to make them less overwhelming. I use focused work intervals—25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break, with a longer break after four cycles, to maintain concentration and avoid burnout. I prioritize the top three tasks each day and tackle those first. I also make sure my workspace is comfortable and ergonomically set up, and I use tools to block distractions like websites and notifications while working.
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 in my career, it would be the day I successfully transitioned from SAP ERP to BlackLine.
Tino’s journey proves it: you don’t need to wear a CA(SA) badge to lead with courage, clarity, and strategic firepower.
From mentoring junior staff to mastering ERP migrations, he’s built a toolkit that works, not just in theory, but on deadline.
Want the confidence to do the same?
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to forecast better, earn more, and stand taller in every boardroom.
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