Leonie began her journey with a BCom in Financial Management, followed by an Honours in Business Management at the University of the Free State. Realizing that a CA(SA) designation was key to a finance career, she pursued a CTA while starting her SAICA articles. This further education revealed her true passion for auditing.
This experience underscores the importance of adaptability and understanding industry demands. It also shows that passions can emerge through exploration, reminding us that career paths are often nonlinear, and being open to change can lead to fulfilling outcomes.
Leonie’s higher purpose is rooted in efficiency, particularly in the smaller Audit space where quick, profitable turnovers are essential. She focuses on scoping out immaterial sections and training trainees to achieve the required speed and precision.
This value of efficiency also extends to her personal life, where she prioritises wise use of time, believing it is a scarce and valuable resource best spent with family, friends, and on activities she loves.
To balance work and personal life, Leonie sets aside time in the late afternoon to focus on family, stepping away from work.
Her weekends often involve family outings to markets with petting zoos, as her daughter loves animals. Leonie also enjoys time with loved ones and watching series on Netflix or Disney+.
The CLEARR values resonate deeply with her personal values, making it natural for her to lead with these principles. She even instills these values in her daughter, believing they are key to success.
Leonie acknowledges the common belief that women face challenges in promotion due to time away for family responsibilities. However, she emphasizes that in this line of work, success is measured by outcomes, not hours spent.
She would advise her younger self that pursuing the CA(SA) designation is always a wise choice.
