Zaheera Essack, Management Accountant
Management Accountant
Current Experience:
KZN Divisional Management Accountant at Corruseal Corrugated PTY LTD · Full-time Sep 2023 - Present · (2 yrs 6 mos)
Past Experience:
Financial and Lease Accountant- controllership- Game SA and Africa at Mass discounters t/a Game and Dionwired · Full-time Mar 2022 - Jun 2023 · (1 yr 4 mos)
Senior Financial Analyst- Massdiscounters- Game Stores at Genpact · Contract Mar 2021 - Feb 2022 · (1 yr)
Management Accountant- fp&a - Game SA at Massdiscounters t/a Game and Dionwired · Contract Mar 2020 - Feb 2021 · (1 yr)
Senior Financial Accountant Physician Assistant Consortium (PAC-MED) · Full-time Mar 2016 - Feb 2020 · (4 yrs)
Education:
BCom Financial Accounting
Postgraduate Diploma Financial Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
She didn’t dream about debits and credits.
She dreamed about freedom.
Zaheera Essack grew up knowing what it feels like to count every rand. Her goal wasn’t just to become an accountant; it was to break generational cycles. To build wealth. To walk into a store and buy what she wants without checking the price tag.
Today, as a Management Accountant in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, she’s not just reporting numbers. She’s commanding boardrooms, driving governance, and proving that perseverance, especially in male-dominated spaces, is a power move.
This is her story of grit, growth, and refusing to stay small.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
06:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I usually spend the first hour of my morning focusing on self care, taking time for prayer, and reflecting on what the day ahead looks like. It helps me start the day feeling grounded, intentional, and mentally prepared.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
I’ve always had a natural comfort with numbers, and growing up in a lower income household also influenced my career choice. I was drawn to accounting because of the stability and opportunities the profession can offer. My long-term motivation was to build financial independence, to be able to make purchases without the constant pressure of checking prices, and more importantly, to help create generational financial security for myself and my family.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of my key career milestones was my time at Massmart, where I discovered a strong aptitude for reporting and data presentation. During this period, I developed and automated an executive dashboard using Excel, which helped standardise reports and significantly reduced manual working hours. I was honoured to receive a Gold award for this achievement, which was a very meaningful recognition of my work.
Another defining moment was transitioning from a corporate environment into the manufacturing sector in my current role. It was a challenging shift, particularly working in a male-dominated space, but it also helped strengthen my confidence and professional presence. Being able to contribute meaningfully in boardroom discussions, earn respect, and have my expertise recognised has been an empowering part of my career journey.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
Management Accountant
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute to the overall financial strategy by maintaining strong compliance and governance across the business. This includes oversight and support in areas such as stock management, production, engineering, and procurement
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was transitioning into the manufacturing sector. It’s a fast paced and constantly evolving environment, and stepping into it without prior experience felt overwhelming at times.
Instead of trying to assert myself immediately, I focused on learning first. I asked questions, observed carefully, and made a conscious effort to understand the operational side of the business. Through persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to grow, I was able to build credibility and earn the trust of the management team. Over time, I became a valued and contributing member of the team.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
Teamwork is central to how we manage financial operations effectively. We rely heavily on collaboration and hold weekly review sessions to track progress, address challenges, and stay aligned on our objectives.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
During busy periods, I’ve learned that balance starts with being honest about your capacity. If my workload becomes overwhelming, I ask for help rather than trying to manage everything on my own. I also make a point of asking questions when I don’t fully understand a task. In the long run, people are far more focused on the quality of what you deliver than on how many questions you asked along the way.
I try to stay open to different perspectives and suggestions as well. Growth isn’t a straight line, and there’s always something new to learn.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy a bit of retail therapy now and then, it’s definitely one of my guilty pleasures. I’m also quite adventurous and love dining out, trying new experiences, and exploring different places whenever I can. Music is another important outlet for me. It helps me unwind and quiet my busy mind, especially after a demanding day.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
Yes, I do. I make a point of being available to support my team wherever I can and to offer guidance in a practical and constructive way. I also try to hold weekly check ins to provide teaching moments, work through any challenges they’re facing, and help strengthen their understanding. My goal is to create a space where they feel supported and confident in developing their skills.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice would be to embrace hard work and be willing to start with the fundamentals. Take on the foundational tasks that others may overlook, such as reconciliations and data capturing. Those responsibilities give you a deeper, more practical understanding of how the business operates as a whole.
It’s also important to continuously develop your technical skills, especially your computer proficiency and Excel expertise. Many systems and tools are underutilised, and learning how to use them effectively can save time, improve accuracy, and help you solve problems more efficiently.
“YOLO- you only live once. We have one life, don’t forget to enjoy it, eat the cake, take the trip, do whatever makes you happy”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
One leadership lesson that has stayed with me is that a leader’s success is directly tied to the success of their team. True leadership isn’t about individual recognition, it’s about empowering others to grow and perform at their best.
Encouraging your team to aim higher, supporting their development, and uplifting them both professionally and personally creates a lasting impact. When you’ve helped shape confident, capable leaders within your team, that’s when you know you’ve truly fulfilled your role as a leader.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio? A hobby, interest, or fun fact?
Something that might surprise people is how much I love animals. I’m deeply passionate about animal welfare and am actively involved in rescue efforts.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be? Predicting financial trends? Master multitasking?
I would choose a photographic memory. On days filled with back-to-back meetings and constant requests, it’s easy for details to slip through the cracks if you’re not carefully tracking everything.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I find that taking short walks during the day really helps me stay productive. Stepping away from my desk and walking around the warehouse for a few minutes helps refresh my mind, improve circulation.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
One of the days I would love to relive is the day I was invited to speak at the company town hall in front of the entire organisation, including the executives, and share my career journey. It was a truly meaningful moment for me. Having my brother and sister there to witness it made it even more special, as it felt like I was making them proud while sharing something important about my own growth and experience.
Zaheera’s journey is bigger than job titles.
It’s about economic freedom. It’s about lifting your family as you rise. It’s about earning your seat at the table, and owning it.
For every accountant who started with nothing but ambition and a strong work ethic, her story is proof: the ground work matters. The late nights matter. The uncomfortable transitions matter.
You don’t just build reports. You build legacy.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to strengthen your professional standing, increase your earning power, and build long-term wealth with confidence.
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