Tlou Ngwepe, Finance Manager
Finance Manager
Current Experience:Finance Manager at Blue Label Distribution · Full-time Feb 2024 - Present · (1 yr 3 mos)
PAST EXPERIENCES:BDO South Africa logo
Junior Audit Manager Full-time Jul 2022 - Feb 2024 · (1 yr 8 mos)
Accounting Trainee at Audit Firm Feb 2019 - Jul 2022 · (3 yrs 6 mos)
Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree, Accounting
Postgrad diploma in Accounting
Country of Residence:South Africa
LinkedIn Profile: In our mission to build a strong accounting community in South Africa, Accounting Weekly highlights the journeys of accountants who make an impact in their field. This edition features Tlou Ngwepe, a financial manager with 5-6 years of experience, recognized for her dedication to financial excellence, proactive career growth, and mentorship within the accounting community.
Tlou, a night owl, begins her mornings with a coffee on the balcony, embracing the crisp morning air. Outside of work, she stays active by hitting the gym during the week and enjoying hiking on the weekends, when the heat isn’t too intense!
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
7:30 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 by sipping coffee on the balcony, letting the crisp air wake me up as I slowly ease into the day.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
It’s the perfect balance of structure and creativity, methodical yet adaptable. With the world constantly evolving, finding new ways to account for emerging changes keeps things exciting.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Receiving a top performance rating at work. I take great pride in striving to be the best at what I do, so this was a significant milestone for me.
Qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (South Africa).
Becoming a member of the Golden Key Society during my undergraduate studies.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
Financial Manager: General Accounting
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I’m part of the Record to Report team, where I contribute to management and financial reporting. My role also involves supporting both internal and external audits while ensuring compliance with internal reporting processes and statutory requirements.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
My current role can be quite repetitive by nature, which initially felt challenging as I wasn’t fully utilizing my potential. To overcome this, I took the initiative to learn about other business functions where I could contribute. Fortunately, I had a supportive boss and worked for a company that encouraged this growth.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
It may sound cliché, but teamwork truly drives success. I believe collaboration is the most effective strategy for any company, working together toward a shared goal. I always strive to be a strong team player.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I’ve recently committed to going to the gym at least three times a week and doing an outdoor activity at least once a month. As a finance professional, I spend most of my workday indoors, so exercising helps me maintain both my physical and mental well-being. It’s an hour each day where I can completely disconnect from work and reset.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Gym and hiking, when the weather isn’t unbearably hot!
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
I support the financial accountants on my team by leveraging their strengths and finding practical ways to help them improve in areas that need development.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Embrace teamwork and collaboration. Stay open-minded, everyone you meet has something valuable to teach you. Master Excel; strong skills will make your work much more efficient. Set personal career goals and align them with your role, it makes the job more meaningful and engaging when you can see its purpose in your own growth.
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
“Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
Your career growth is in your hands, take the lead and own it.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
One day, I’d love to experience being a race car driver.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
Definitely mastering multitasking
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
A prioritized to-do list, organized by importance and urgency.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
The day I graduated with my undergraduate degree marked the true beginning of my career. I remember walking across the stage, thinking, “This is it—I’m really doing it!” At the time, what “it” meant was still broad and a little unclear, but one thing was certain: from that day forward, I was determined to achieve whatever I set my mind to.
Tlou’s story reflects her dedication to financial excellence, her proactive approach to career growth, and her passion for continuous learning and teamwork. Connect with Tlou on LinkedIn to follow her journey and achievements.
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