Zandre Steynfaardt, Senior Accountant
Senior Accountant
Current Experience:
Senior Accountant at Zarbon Coal · Full-time Aug 2023 - Present · (2 yrs 2 mos)
Past Experience:
Professional Accountant at Probity Advisory (Pty) Ltd · Full-time Aug 2021 - Jul 2023 · (2 yrs)
SAIPA Accountant - Final Year Clerk at ACT Solutions Pretoria · Full-time May 2018 - Aug 2021 · (3 yrs 4 mos)
Legal Consultant and Finance at SJS Admin Solutions 2015 - 2017 · (2 yrs)
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree Commercial Law, Taxation and Accounting
Master of Business Administration
Postgraduate Diploma in professional Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Meet Zandre Steynfaardt, the Senior Accountant who made SARS blink first.
Zandre doesn’t just reconcile ledgers, he negotiates with SARS, mentors peers, and still finds time to hike mountains. From unlocking a major VAT refund to managing tax and payroll for a mining giant, Zandre runs on structure, sharp thinking, and a deep belief in sharing knowledge.
And yes, he once acted on Generations. No, seriously.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
07:00 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 by getting ready to work out.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I’ve always been drawn to details and enjoy bringing structure to things that might seem confusing to others, which is why finance and accounting naturally caught my interest.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One milestone was when SARS conceded to a major VAT refund case I worked on. Another defining moment was traveling to the ports in Cape Town, where I got to see the operations firsthand and connect them to the financial frameworks and costing.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I work as a Senior Accountant and report directly to the Financial Manager.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I oversee all tax, accounting, and payroll operations for our mining business, which plays a key role in supporting the company’s overall financial strategy.
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 is managing my time effectively and deciding which tasks should take priority over others.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I rely on strong time management, staying on schedule, and meeting strict deadlines to keep the company’s financial operations running smoothly.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I stay balanced by making time for exercise, spending quality time with my family, eating healthy, and getting proper rest.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
During the week I like to exercise, and on weekends I enjoy hiking. I also make it a priority to spend time with my family and friends.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Yes, I share the skills and experience I’ve gained over the years with my peers because I believe knowledge should be shared, not kept for personal gain.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Find a personal source of motivation, as the beginning can be the toughest part, but the effort pays off in the end.
“The Best is Yet to come”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
Whenever you feel like giving up, remind yourself of the reason you started in the first place.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
A surprising fact about me is that I used to be a teenage actor on Generations, which airs on SABC 1.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
The ability to predict all financial trends accurately.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I stay productive during long workdays by taking breaks for hiking and spending time with my family.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
I see every day as equally meaningful, life is short, so it’s important to appreciate each moment.
Zandre shows what happens when you combine technical firepower with grit. Whether he’s challenging the system or coaching the next generation, he’s building more than a career, he’s building legacy.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to lead boldly, earn your worth, and take control.
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