Profile: Thokozani Ngubane, Senior Accountant
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 Thokozani Ngubane, the founder of TSNA Accountants, with over 10 years of experience, dedicated to providing personalised services and supporting the growth of small businesses.
Thokozani, a night owl, begins his mornings with a cup of coffee while catching up on social media and current affairs. Outside of work, he stays active at the gym, enjoys rounds of golf on weekends, and relaxes with Netflix.
Thokozani Ngubane
Founder and Senior Accountant - TSNA Accountants
Past Experiences:
Accountant at TSNA Accountants (Full-time): Jul 2022 - Present (2 years, 5 months)
Manager: Accounting Services at BONAKUDE (Full-time): Jul 2020 - Jun 2022 (2 years)
Accountant at The Financial Room (Pty) Ltd: Nov 2016 - Jun 2020 (3 years, 8 months)
Verification Manager at SAB&T BEE Services: Mar 2015 - Oct 2016 (1 year, 8 months)
Accountant at Antony Kerdachi & Associates: Apr 2011 - Feb 2015 (3 years, 11 months)
Trainee Accountant at Bainbridge Chartered Accountants: Mar 2008 - Mar 2011 (3 years, 1 month)
Educator at Price Tokotoko High School: Mar 2007 - Jun 2007 (4 months)
Qualifications:
BCom Degree, Professional Accountant (SA)
Independent Reviewer (SA)
Tax Practitioner (SA)
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Connect with Thokozani on LinkedIn
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
7:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I have a cup of coffee, checking up on social media and current affairs.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
One school visit from an accounting professional in high school was all it took. Being a commerce learner, accounting became a part of my life, and over time, I grew passionate about helping businesses succeed.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
There is no better feeling than helping a small business succeed by getting them out of non-compliance. It’s rewarding to see the positive impact of our work on their growth.
How do you build strong relationships with your clients?
I give a personalised service to each client, seeing them as unique rather than part of a group. My differentiator is being available for my clients.
What are some future goals for your firm?
Stability and growth. Keeping existing clients happy ensures stability, which allows us to grow and support multiple households.
What’s next on your professional journey?
I aim to be more than an accountant; I want to be the go-to business advisor for my clients. I am also working towards establishing a fully-fledged tax department to benefit all our clients.
Share your strategies for maintaining balance between personal and professional life.
I work hard, so I ensure I recharge by doing activities that aren’t mentally taxing. I exercise at the gym, play golf on weekends, and enjoy Netflix.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Running, going to the gym, playing golf, and watching Netflix.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
I frequently answer questions from students and occasionally tutor. Sharing my knowledge and leaving others wiser is always exciting.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to start their own accounting practice?
Be disciplined and have a vision. Running a practice is challenging, but with dedication, success will follow. Remember, your role is pivotal in compliance, business advice, and supporting your team.
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
The harder you work, the luckier you become.
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
Be the leader you would like to have. This mindset helps me keep my team motivated and happy.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I enjoy animations and chick flicks.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
I’d love to snap my fingers and have all admin work done.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I streamline tasks by blocking out time for similar activities across clients. Exercise and drinking water also help keep my energy levels up.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
Any first day after tax season – it feels like the start of a long weekend.
Thokozani’s story reflects his commitment to personalised client service, his dedication to helping businesses thrive, and his passion for mentorship. Connect with Thokozani on LinkedIn to follow his journey and achievements.
Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
Not yet a professional designated accountant? CIBA is the professional body for all accountants. We offer designations for each stage of your finance career: BookkeeperFinancial AdministratorFinancial AccountantFinancial ManagerChief Financial OfficerAccountant-In-Practice.