Azola Kana, Financial Accountant
Financial Accountant
Current Experience:Financial Accountant at Royal Bafokeng Holdings · Full-time: Jun 2024 - Present (10 months)
PAST EXPERIENCE:Deloitte (3 yrs 5 mos) Audit Senior Contract
Qualifications:Bcom Accounting and Finance
Bcom (Hons) CTA, Accounting and Finance
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 Azola Kana, a Chartered Accountant of South Africa who plays a key role in ensuring financial accuracy and technical compliance at Royal Bafokeng Holdings.
Azola starts his day at 6:30 AM, organizing his tasks in order of urgency, setting tick boxes to track progress, and hydrating before diving into work.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
6:30 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I open my diary and write down tasks in order of urgency, setting tick boxes for tracking. Then, I grab a bottle of water and start work.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I was actually forced into accounting by my high school teacher. I originally wanted to study Life Sciences, but by Grade 10, I had fallen in love with accounting. I realized I wanted to do it every day and pursued a career as a Chartered Accountant. Today, I feel like I am living both my dream and my teacher’s dream.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Finishing my postgrad (CTA) as the top student in my class, passing both board exams in record time and joining Royal Bafokeng Holdings and working under the leadership of an inspiring CFO.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I am a Financial Accountant, the backbone of the finance department. I handle the technical aspects of accounting (IFRS) and tax while also training and mentoring trainee accountants.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I ensure that financial records are technically sound and compliant with IFRS and tax regulations.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
Transitioning from audit to corporate reporting. In audit, I was reviewing others' work, but now, I am on the other side, preparing financials that auditors review. The expectations are high, and adapting to a new environment while maintaining high performance was overwhelming. I overcame this by staying focused, continuously learning, and adapting quickly.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I plan my day using a structured task diary and prioritize based on urgency.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I stick to my plan, focus on priority tasks, and ensure I finish essential work before heading home to spend time with my loved ones.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I am a huge Orlando Pirates fan. I enjoy watching football, taking walks with loved ones on weekends, and hosting braais with friends.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Yes, I mentor CA trainees who report to me. I review their work daily, provide feedback, and have formal training sessions to help them develop their skills. I am passionate about skill development.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Focus on your technical skills—know IFRS and tax inside out. Keep improving through webinars and short courses and always be open to learning; your development is in your hands.
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
"Quitters are never winners, and winners are never quitters."
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
You don’t need to be an executive to lead, lead wherever you are in the hierarchy.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I love the outdoors.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
Master multitasking.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
Drink plenty of water.
Take 5-minute breaks.
Listen to podcasts and news in the background while working.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
The day I joined Royal Bafokeng Holdings (June 7, 2024). It was a new challenge and an opportunity to unlock my full potential.
Azola’s journey from being "forced" into accounting to becoming a top-performing Chartered Accountant highlights the power of perseverance and passion. His ability to adapt, mentor, and excel under pressure makes him an inspiring figure in the finance industry.
Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
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