Profile: Vincent Radebe, Tax Accountant
In our mission to build a strong accounting community in South Africa, Accounting Weekly highlights the journeys of finance professionals who make a significant impact in their fields. This edition features Vincent Radebe, a Tax Accountant at Pepkor Speciality (Pty) Ltd, with over 5 years of experience in taxation and financial management.
Vincent, a night owl, begins his weekdays with affirmations and a strong focus on productivity, while weekends are reserved for relaxation and catching up on sleep. Outside of work, he enjoys quality time at the beach with his family and plays pool with friends.
Vincent Radebe
Tax Accountant - Pepkor Speciality (Pty) Ltd
Past Experience:
Tax Accountant at Pepkor Speciality (Full-time): Feb 2024 - Present (10 months)
Tax Technician at Clicks Group (Full-time): Jan 2023 - Jan 2024 (1 year, 1 month)
Tax Reporting and Compliance Specialist - Africa at Anheuser-Busch InBev Africa (Full-time): Mar 2022 - Dec 2022 (10 months)
Tax Specialist at The South African Breweries: May 2019 - Mar 2022 (2 years, 11 months)
Tax Consultant at Tax Consulting South Africa: Feb 2018 - Apr 2019 (1 year, 3 months)
Student Assistant at University of Johannesburg: Feb 2014 - Nov 2017 (3 years, 10 months)
Academic Tutor at University of Johannesburg: Feb 2016 - Nov 2016 (10 months)
Qualifications:
BCom Accounting, BCom Honours in Taxation (University of Johannesburg), GTP(SA)
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Connect with Vincent on LinkedIn
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
9:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
During the week, I shower and recite my affirmations before heading to work. On weekends, I relax and catch up on TV shows and sleep.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My uncle, who qualified as a CA(SA) when I was in Grade 5, inspired me. Later, at university, I discovered my passion for tax and its role in supporting the government’s revenue.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Writing tax advisory articles for platforms like Fin24 has been a highlight, showcasing the impact my career has on people's lives.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I handle all the company’s taxes, excluding payroll taxes, across South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and eSwatini.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I ensure tax compliance and optimize the company’s tax position, minimizing risks and enhancing financial efficiency.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
When the company underwent a major restructuring, I dedicated extra hours to understanding its historic transactions. With support from my leader, I stayed focused and avoided panic.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I use SAP, Power BI, Power Automate, and Google Workspace for efficient financial management.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I avoid panic, stay hydrated, and maintain a good sleep schedule to recharge and manage stress effectively.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I spend time at the beach with my family and play pool with friends—winning most of the time!
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
While I don’t have direct reports, I believe in fostering open communication, celebrating successes, and encouraging skill development through collaboration.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Adopt a mindset of perpetual learning, stay adaptable to evolving regulations and technology, and focus on communication and teamwork."
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
If you want to live like a king, you must be prepared to suffer like a slave.
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
Collaboration is key. It bridges skill gaps and fosters a culture of shared knowledge and success.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I play the piano and was a church keyboardist for most of my teenage and early adult years. I’m also a decent singer!
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
Mastering the ability to communicate complex financial jargon in a simple manner for non-finance professionals.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I keep a to-do list, avoid multitasking, minimize distractions, and take regular breaks. Staying hydrated and getting enough sleep are also critical.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
The day I met my colleagues who became lifelong friends. These relationships have enriched both my professional and personal life.
Vincent’s story reflects his passion for tax compliance, his dedication to continuous learning, and his appreciation for meaningful relationships. Connect with Vincent 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.