Vumbhoni Hlongwane, Cost Accountant
Cost Accountant
Current Experience:
Cost Accountant at FNB South Africa · Full-time Jun 2024 - Present · (1 yr 7 mos)
Past Experiences:
Specialist: Credit Book Control at Capitec Oct 2023 - May 2024 · (8 mos)
Analyst: Costing and Projects at Capitec Feb 2021 - Sep 2023 · (2 yrs 8 mos)
EPM Consultant at Oracle Feb 2020 - Jan 2021 · (1 yr)
Qualifications:
BCom Accounting
Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy
Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting
Master’s Degree Accounting and Finance
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
“I was a B-student… until Accounting made me top the class.”
That’s how it started for Vumbhoni Hlongwane, now Cost Accountant at FNB, building models that shape executive strategy. He’s not just crunching numbers. He’s driving a culture of cost consciousness inside a major bank.
But getting here wasn’t easy. From bullying in the boardroom to navigating the CIMA journey, Vumbhoni’s story is proof that grit beats privilege.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
07:30 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
On Sundays, I start my morning by getting ready for Parkrun, and on other Sundays I prepare for church. During the week, I usually spend the first hour in bed catching up on current affairs.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
My interest in accounting started in grade 8 when I took my first accounting exam and placed first, even though I was usually a B-average student. That moment sparked my love for the subject and made studying it feel natural.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
A few moments really stand out for me.
In 2010, my grade 8 teacher announced that I had taken first place in Accounting, which gave me a huge confidence boost.
In 2016, I made the Top 10 in the EY Project Alpha Auditing assessment.
And in 2022, I completed the Capitec Graduate Development Programme and passed my first CIMA management case study exam.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I’m responsible for managing the costing models for the division.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I help shape the financial strategy by building a cost-aware culture and steering the division’s key cost initiatives.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the toughest challenges I’ve faced was dealing with bullying. I had to stand my ground and stay firm, and that made it clear that I wasn’t someone who could be pushed around.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I try to keep my routine outside of work consistent. No matter how busy things get, sticking to my personal schedule helps me stay grounded and balanced.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
I enjoy running, and lately I’ve added hiking to the mix.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
I support my colleagues with their studies wherever I can.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Develop a real interest in working with numbers. When you enjoy the work, it pushes you to stay motivated and keep improving.
“And I try, and I made it. - William Kamkwamba”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
A mentor once told me that my ‘best’ might look different each time, but no matter what I do, I should always aim to give it my best. That advice has stayed with me and motivates me to put forth my best effort in every situation.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I have a huge passion for buses. If I had another life, I’d love to own and run a bus company.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
The ability to create multiple cost model scenarios simultaneously.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I stay productive during long workdays by keeping my phone out of reach to minimize distractions.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
I’d relive my first graduation, receiving my bachelor’s degree in front of my mother and seeing her pride after all the sacrifices she made for me
Vumbhoni didn’t wait to be handed power, he built it. And now he’s using it to support others, mentor up-and-coming professionals, and stay true to the routines that keep him grounded.
His advice?
“Have a passion for numbers — that will fuel everything.”
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