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Newest member of the Kingswood HOA team, financial manager Marina Flear, at first thought she was cut out to be a teacher. But she has long since exchanged the classroom for the competitive field of business, and recently scored a top job at KGE.
Dawn of a different calling
Marina says her family moved to the beautiful town of George when she was 12 years old. After having matriculated at Outeniqua High School, she headed for Stellenbosch, where she attained a BCom Financial Accounting degree before completing her Postgraduate Teaching Certificate.
‘Coming from a family where mom and dad are both teachers, it was a natural choice. I started my teaching career in Springbok in the Northern Cape,’ she says, adding that she moved a little closer to home during her second year of teaching, when signing up for a job at Knysna High School.
‘But I realised this was not the career I pictured myself in for the next 50 years.’ So Marina made the bold move of tackling her SAIPA (South African Institute of Professional Accountants) articles at George audit firm PKF, while pursuing an Honours degree part time.
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But wait, there’s more! Marina completed further studies and articles in 2011 and then worked for the audit firm Michaelides Parker Kretzmann Inc. in Knysna for five years.
When finally moving back to the Southern Cape capital, another five-year audit firm stint – this time with Boshoff Visser Inc. – preceded her brand-new opportunity at Kingswood Golf Estate. She officially took on the task of KGE financial manager on 1 November.
What a team!
When chatting about what her new job entails, colleagues on the KGE team, and factors that prepared her for the position, Marina is full of gratitude and praise.
‘I must thank and compliment the HOA team, from CEO Willem Jacobs to Dan, Lize, Mornay, Ivan and Caron, who is currently standing in for Masadi. They have welcomed and accepted me as part of the team – especially Lize, who has been showing me the ropes with so much patience.
‘I enjoy working with people and “blame” my high school accounting teacher (whom I loved!) for inspiring me to choose this profession. I think, initially, teaching was a bit of a comfort-zone decision for me, but I don’t regret the experience at all.’
She says her position as office manager and senior accountant in Knysna went a long way towards honing her people skills, while also teaching her to manage and plan workflow. ‘At the firm in George, these skills came to good use when I had to manage a team, review output, and start a monthly work department.
‘I was also closely involved with the training of article clerks, where my teaching background came in very handy. I firmly believe that no experience is in vain, whether good or bad.’
Job at hand
Marina’s current occupation at Kingswood entails ensuring that both the HOA and the property company are compliant with regard to all financial statutory requirements, and that all necessary policy and procedure documents are in place and being implemented with regard to finance and procurement.
‘I receive lots of assistance from Willem, who has the legal background. This work ensures that the financial information recorded is accurate and correct to simplify the audit process and the compilation of the financial statements.’
Further tasks include assistance with the annual audit, compiling working papers, compilation of monthly management reports for trustees to review, submission of VAT returns and, in future, will also comprise the salary function.
The twins, a cuppa and a nap, in that order
While these tricks of the trade all lie close to Marina’s heart, there’s another double delight that makes her wake up with a smile … no matter what time of the day or night.
‘My twin boys, Johan and Luan, were born in 2019 and they’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
Although they are quite a handful (I’d hoped the terrible twos would have passed by now), they are my absolute pride and joy. I love them to bits and really enjoy spending time with them.’
Friends and family are very important to Marina, who says she’s truly blessed to have her parents living right here in George – and it doesn’t hurt that the twins absolutely adore their Oupa and Ouma.
‘I don’t have a lot of time for hobbies between work and the kids. So when I do get a free moment, a cup of coffee with a friend or an afternoon nap is my most treasured go-to.’
Priorities? Checked!
Here’s wishing Marina a productive and enjoyable working environment at KGE.
