Wandré de Villiers, International Business Accountant
International Business Accountant
Current Experience:
International Business Accountant at GWK · Full-time Dec 2022 - Present · (2 yrs 11 mos)
Past Experience:
Senior Associate 2 - IFRS and Financial Statement Specialist at PwC South Africa · Full-time Jan 2022 - Nov 2022 · (11 mos)
Senior Associate at PwC Dec 2020 - Dec 2021 · (yr 1 mo)
Associate at PwC
Jan 2019 - Dec 2020 · (2 yrs)
Qualifications:
BCom Accounting
BAcc Hons Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Meet Wandré de Villiers, International Business Accountant at GWK and a man on a mission. From piano prodigy to pecan strategist, Wandré is proving that accountants can be global thinkers, relationship builders, and risk navigators, all before 6am.
While most of us are still waking up, he’s praying, planning, and positioning his division for global trade, armed with nothing but spreadsheets, strategy, and strong coffee.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
05:30 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 with a cup of coffee, then spend some time in prayer or meditation. If I have a bit of time left, I like to read the news or a few interesting articles to stay informed.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I’ve always been drawn to the challenge and constant evolution of accounting and finance. I enjoy the problem-solving side of it, finding ways to help people and businesses manage their resources effectively. At GWK, I get to combine my passion for finance with another I deeply care about: agriculture and the international sector.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of my biggest career milestones was completing my studies and articles to earn my Chartered Accountant designation. It was an incredibly rewarding and satisfying achievement, something I’m proud of and that no one can ever take away from me.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I’m the International Accountant in GWK’s Trading division, where I handle the finance operations for the export and import of commodities like pecans, cotton, peanuts, and lucerne.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I use my background in finance and agriculture to deliver accurate, timely financial reports that give leadership a clear view of the International division’s performance. I also identify potential financial risks, such as interest rate or currency fluctuations, and suggest ways to manage them, like hedging or diversification. Overall, my role is to bridge the gap between the execution team and senior leadership, ensuring that the International division’s financial goals align with the company’s broader strategy.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges for me, as someone who’s very goal- and strategy-driven, has been learning to work effectively with different types of people. Everyone brings their own strengths, perspectives, and ways of thinking. I overcame this by taking the time to understand the person behind the title, getting to know how they think and what motivates them. Building that deeper professional connection has made collaboration much smoother and more effective.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I rely on a mix of tools and strategies, including structured, detailed planning to stay on top of tasks and reports, as well as accounting software developed specifically for our company. But the most valuable resource I use is the people around me, their knowledge, experience, and talents play a big role in keeping our financial operations running smoothly.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
Like most people in accounting and finance know, there’s rarely any downtime! Even after 4–5 years in the field, I’m still learning how to find the right balance. I try to break the usual cycle of waking up, going to work, coming home, and jumping back on the laptop. For me, the key is remembering that your mind and body are your most important tools, so I make time to stay healthy, enjoy my hobbies, and spend time with loved ones.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy playing golf, going hunting, and spending time with friends and family over a good braai.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
My strength lies in being both a developer and a doer. I keep an open-door approach with my team, which allows me to support them whenever needed. I enjoy engaging with my colleagues by asking questions, presenting different scenarios, and challenging them with tougher tasks to help them grow and unlock their potential, and sometimes, it’s just about stopping by for a good laugh together.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice would be not to get too caught up in titles or positions, whether it’s CA, PA, or AGA. The world of accounting and finance is broad and full of opportunities. Focus instead on what truly interests you, whether that’s data, strategic thinking, banking, or foreign exchange. Let your passion guide you in this constantly evolving field.
“We rise by lifting others. - Robert Ingersoll”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
One valuable leadership lesson I’ve learned is not to overthink things. Stay calm, stay focused, and remember that mistakes will happen, they can always be resolved in one way or another.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
A fun fact about me that’s not in my professional bio is that I’ve been playing the piano since I was seven. I’ve taken part in numerous competitions and completed my piano exams with both Unisa and Trinity.
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 read minds, so I could understand what people are really thinking.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is to take regular breaks and get some fresh air. It’s important to pace yourself and not be too hard on yourself.
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 from my career, it would be my first day at GWK. Walking into the office that day, I felt the excitement and possibility of being a true difference-maker.
Behind the calm mind and structured plans is someone who laughs with colleagues, mentors junior staff, and reminds us all that being a Chartered Accountant is less about titles, and more about impact.
He’s not just balancing books. He’s balancing life, leadership, and legacy, all while smashing stereotypes about what a finance professional should be.
Want to see how to turn your CA(SA) into a passport to global influence? Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to go from surviving… to shaping strategy.
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