GreenCape is pleased to announce the appointment of our new Financial Accountant, Chanelle Otto
What is your background expertise and how does it relate to your role here at GreenCape?
I am a professional accountant registered with SAIPA. My career background dates back to 2007 when I started working for Old Mutual with my focus mainly on the financial services. I did all the accounting processes, including from the moment a purchase is made through to where the services providers are paid, and to the point where it reaches the general ledgers, financial statements and external auditors.
Most recently I was operating my own company until I joined GreenCape.
What have been your favourite thing about GreenCape so far?
Joining GreenCape has been a bit of an adjustment for me because the company is a bit smaller compared to what I am become accustomed. I appreciate that GreenCape has a personal touch. I have worked in an environment where I have only communicated with people whom I have never met in-person. Although things are virtual at the moment, it seems like the company is a very close knit group. What surprises me a lot is that the company is on point and everyone is prepared.
What project have you been working on as you start your role here at GreenCape?
At the moment I am not working on any projects. I have been reading about the company policies and funding requirements. I am also familiarising myself with the various drives and monthly calendar cycles – what is due and on which date. I also went to see the new office which I am very excited about, and I am looking forward to meeting the team.
Why do you do what you do?
As an introvert, I am not a very social person, so my hobbies include outdoor time with my family. I love numbers and puzzles, especially when I work on the balance sheets or a cash flow it is like putting a puzzle together. Getting to the bottom of things and figuring things out is what I like about numbers as an Accountant.
What impact do you hope to achieve?
Both when I was permanently employed and self-employed, and now at GreenCape, the way I work is to understand the processes and getting to know my job. I start by looking at how can I improve processes and how can I work more efficiently. That means I am able to save time, because time equates money for us, so if I can shorten the processes but still get to what we want to achieve – the outcomes are always better.
What do you get up to on you spare time?
If I get any spare time, I like to read both fiction and non-fiction. On Fridays I participate in our family ritual – movie night with my husband and two of our kids. Before lockdown we did Saturday Parkruns, and now that corona is part of our daily lives it a matter of driving somewhere to do a walkabout. I also enjoy knitting and diamond-dot painting.