Profile: Keroshan Govender, Portfolio 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 Keroshan Govender, a Portfolio Accountant at Growthpoint Properties with over 9 years of experience in financial management and accounting.
Keroshan starts his mornings preparing for the day ahead, ensuring he is organised and ready to tackle his tasks. Outside of work, he enjoys playing squash, binge-watching series, and traveling to new countries, which help him recharge and gain fresh perspectives.
Keroshan Govender
Portfolio Accountant - Growthpoint Properties
Past Experience:
Portfolio Accountant at Growthpoint Properties (Full-time): Mar 2021 – Present (3 years, 9 months)
Finance Manager at Alpvest Group (Full-time): Aug 2020 – Feb 2021 (7 months)
Finance Manager at Urban Lime: Jul 2019 – Aug 2020 (1 year, 2 months)
Finance Manager at Educor Property Holdings (Pty) Ltd: Nov 2018 – Jun 2019 (8 months)
Property Financial Accountant at Educor Property Holdings (Pty) Ltd: Aug 2017 – Oct 2018 (1 year, 3 months)
Tax Manager at ETA Group: Nov 2016 – Aug 2017 (10 months)
Audit Trainee at A2A Kopano Inc.: Jan 2015 – Oct 2016 (1 year, 10 months)
Senior Bookkeeper at Namo Bookkeeping Services CC: Dec 2013 – Jan 2015 (1 year, 2 months)
Qualifications:
BCom Accounting
Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accounting
CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Connect with Keroshan on LinkedIn
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
10:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I use the first hour of my day to prepare for the tasks ahead.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My interest in finance wasn’t immediate, as it wasn’t my initial career choice. However, over time, I found a genuine enthusiasm for the field. The fast-paced, dynamic nature of finance and its central role in an organization’s operations fascinated me. I also appreciated the stability and endless growth opportunities that a finance career offers.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One key milestone was achieving my Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting after stepping away from my initial articles. This pivot reinforced my commitment to the profession.
Another defining moment was securing my first Finance Manager position at 29, which validated my capabilities despite not being a CA. These milestones taught me that determination and adaptability can open doors and lead to unexpected growth opportunities.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I manage a portfolio of retail shopping malls, overseeing various financial accounting functions and collaborating across departments. My responsibilities include financial analysis, preparing reports, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
Although my role is not managerial, I contribute significantly by analyzing financial performance and providing strategic insights. My reports support informed decision-making at a senior level, ensuring operational and financial goals align across the retail portfolio.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
Managing diverse personalities and fast-paced demands within the retail portfolio has been challenging. To overcome this, I focused on improving my communication and relationship-building skills. Proactively aligning with stakeholders and maintaining clear communication helped foster a collaborative environment.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage financial operations effectively?
Thorough documentation is essential for maintaining accurate financial records. Additionally, I leverage automation to streamline processes, freeing up time for analysis and strategic tasks.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
I take regular breaks to refocus and engage in physical activities like gym or squash. Completing smaller tasks first provides a sense of accomplishment, motivating me to tackle larger projects with clarity and focus.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I enjoy playing squash weekly, binge-watching series to unwind, and traveling to explore at least one new country annually. Traveling helps me recharge and return to work with a fresh perspective.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
While not in a management role, I frequently support colleagues by sharing knowledge and offering informal training sessions. I aim to foster a collaborative environment where team members feel confident and supported.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Embrace continuous learning and flexibility. Develop critical skills like attention to detail, effective time management, and technical proficiency with financial tools. Focus on adaptability, as tasks can vary significantly, and proactive learning before seeking help demonstrates initiative.
What’s your favourite quote or mantra that motivates you?
"It’s a bad day, not a bad life."
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
Accepting failure is essential. Failures are opportunities for growth and often redirect us toward greater achievements. Embracing this mindset has shaped my resilience and adaptability.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
I have a creative side and sometimes wonder if marketing or acting could have been alternate career paths for me.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
Extending time—everything is always urgent in finance!
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
Prioritising tasks and taking short, frequent breaks helps me stay focused and maintain productivity throughout the day.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
The day I graduated with my postgraduate qualification. After setbacks in my studies, pivoting to management accounting was a significant turning point. That day reminded me of my resilience and capability to overcome challenges.
Keroshan’s journey highlights his adaptability, strategic insights, and dedication to continuous learning in the world of finance. Connect with Keroshan on LinkedIn to follow his inspiring career path!
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.
