years of excellence€¦ · capital management. As a certified life coach, I have a passion for nurturing young talent and working alongside them to help them harness their talents

see money differently

Chart yoursuccess.Craft yourcareer.Your way.

22 years ofexcellence

CONTENTSWhy Nedbank?

Enabling success

Being part of the best

Hot seat with our ITC Top Achievers

Hot seat with our APC Top Achievers

Our initiatives

Corporate social responsibility

Coolest experiences

Choose your own path Meet our first-years Meet our second-years Meet our final-years

Hear from Alumni

Hear from Line Managers

How to apply

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PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE.REDEFINE YOUR BOUNDARIES.

NEDBANK CA TRAINING PROGRAMME < | > | CONTENTS

WHY NEDBANK?

NEDBANK WASTHE 1ST BANK TO OFFER A CA(SA) TRAINING PROGRAMMED

ID Y

OU

K

NO

W?

AT NEDBANK WE DISCOVER BRILLIANT AND INNOVATIVE

MINDS, DEVELOP AND DEPLOY THEM ACROSS THE DIFFERENT AREAS IN OUR ORGANISATION

AND GIVE THEM EXPOSURE TO OUR DISTINCTIVE AND

COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT.

NEDBANK CA TRAINING PROGRAMME < | > | CONTENTS 01

Nedbank’s worldclass CA Training Programme offers exceptional study and developmental opportunities and benefits outside of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) framework. Our trainees are afforded the opportunity to rotate across the bank during the course of their three-year learnerships, and our proven track record of high pass rates bears testimony to the support that they receive. We place great value on the principles of leadership and transformation, which are firmly ingrained in our business culture, and encourage our trainees to participate in and avail themselves of events, seminars and mentorship programmes.

Furthermore, the programme is unique in that it affords you the ability to choose your own rotations, thereby tailoring your articles to your career goals. Although the rotations are mostly Gauteng-based, there are exciting rotations in Cape Town and Durban. Trainees can also apply for international rotations in Namibia and London. These rotations will challenge your adaptability, tenacity and business acumen, while providing strong support and invaluable mentorship.

Join the Nedbank CA Training Programme, where you can do more and be more.

You will be offered the following:

A banking boot camp. This is an induction programme in the first month of working for Nedbank. It aims to sculpt you into a more professional individual and accelerate your transition from a student to a professional. You will learn business writing and reporting skills, have advanced Excel training, learn how to improve your presentation skills and make a professional impression.

Block training and simulations that will equip you with the professional and technical skills sought after in a CA(SA).

International rotations.

Individually tailored rotations.

Individually tailored training support to assist you with any professional skills required to help you perform better in your rotations.

A vibrant social committee that organises social events.

A seasoned coach from the bank who will guide and support you throughout your journey.

Board courses for ITC and APC that are paid for by Nedbank.

The ability to lead various projects run by the programme committees, thereby providing an opportunity for leadership skills development.

The opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives through impactful corporate social investment initiatives that are trainee-led and speak to our purpose of being financial experts who do good.

A mentor and programme buddy who will be assigned to you.

The benefitsof being on the

CA TrainingProgramme

THE PROGRAMME PRIDES ITSELF ON THE UNIQUE DEVELOPMENTAL OPPORTUNITIES AND TAILORED ROTATION EXPERIENCES THATARE MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU.


ENABLINGSUCCESS

Lerato MathibelaHEAD OF THE SPECIALIST TRAINING PROGRAMME


What was it about the programme that made you want to stay involved?I qualified as a CA(SA) in 2017 after having completed my articles through the Nedbank CA Training Programme. Before choosing to take on the position of Head of the CA Training Programme, I worked in Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking.

The calibre of the trainees we have on our programme made me want to stay involved. Although each year we are joined by a new group of trainees, year after year the trainees prove themselves to be authentic and driven to make a difference within the context of their scope of influence.

The Nedbank CA Training Programme is truly worldclass, offering exceptional opportunities to young professionals that are tailored to their own unique career aspirations. The opportunity to not only stay involved, but also to play a significant role in the advancement of the programme, excites me daily!

How has your journey been so far?The journey has been exciting! We have just launched two international rotations in the United Kingdom, which enhances our unique developmental opportunities.The trainees achieved outstanding results in the ITC and APC exams, with 100% pass rates respectively, and two trainees featured in the top 10 and honours rolls for both exams. The trainees also made a difference in the lives of young children at Epworth Children’s Village early this year, after raising over R30 000 to upgrade their learning centre and revamp their play area. We have just chosen our 2020 Nedbank CA Training Programme intake after a very rigorous recruitment process. The challenges that still lie ahead motivate me to leave an unrivalled, impactful legacy that will enrich the South African chartered accountancy profession.

ENABLINGSUCCESS

Lesego GwebuPROGRAMMECOORDINATOR


Describe your roleI am the programme coordinator for the CA Training Programme. As a person who has a good eye for scouting and nurturing talent, my role ensures that every diverse and unique individual we bring onto the programme does and becomes more than what they could have imagined. We continuously invest in our people and ensure that we create an environment that also empowers them to perform distinctively and to excel.

What was your first impression of the culture at Nedbank?The support given is invaluable, I’m still in disbelief. The team is warm, very positive

and driven. Nedbank is truly people-centred. Every person I have interacted with has shown me that Nedbank invests in the development of its employees.

What drew you to this role at Nedbank?Nedbank was the first bank to offer a CA(SA) training programme, and I believe that the programme’s success speaks for itself. It also allows trainees to do more and be more.

ENABLINGSUCCESS

Reneé MacaulayLEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER


Describe your roleI am the Learning and Development Manager for the Nedbank CA Training Programme and have over 20 years of experience in the broader area of human capital management. As a certified life coach, I have a passion for nurturing young talent and working alongside them to help them harness their talents and potential. In my 14 years with the programme, I am yet to meet two individuals with the same goals and aspirations, which is why the Nedbank CA Training Programme is so unique in its approach to talent development. There is no ‘one size fits all’; rather I partner with each and every individual trainee throughout

their three-year journey to assist them in deciding which areas of the bank suit them best in working towards their future career goals. My role ensures that every diverse and unique individual we bring onto the programme not only receives the best exposure and mentorship the bank has to offer, but that our trainees are able to enter the profession with a level of competence and leadership comparable to the best in the world.

In short I love what I do and I love where I do it. Most of all I love the people I work with every single day! This is what keeps me coming back.

BEINGPARTOF THEBEST

Nedbank ishome to some

of the topachievers in the

country.

THE SUCCESS OF THE NEDBANK CA TRAINING PROGRAMME SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. WE BOAST AN EXEMPLARY PASS RATE IN BOARD EXAMINATIONS AND A REMARKABLE RETENTION RATE.

Through supporting our trainees and providing exciting and robust training rotations, the Nedbank CA Training Programme has a proven track record of exceptional performance.


TOP ACHIEVERS

Greg Rowan(2019 APC honours roll)

Mark Champion(2019 APC honours roll)

Nicki Berrange (2018 APC honours roll)

Tim Noble(2014 fifth place QE II)

Rob Peche(2013 joint tenth place QE II)

Candace Waterer (2013 joint eighth place QE II)

Zenhardt Dedekind (2011 joint eighth place QE II)

Bradley Smith(2011 joint fifth place QE II)

JD Symington(2011 first place QE II)

Renee van Schaik (2010 sixth place QE II)

Hayley Plimsoll(2006 first place QE II)

Stephen Warner(2005 first place QE II)

ITC APCJoanna Taylor

(2019 eighth place ITC)

Chris Powels (2019 ninth place ITC)

Rob Anderson (2018 fourth place ITC)

Kate Stephens (2017 third place ITC)

Gregory Rowan(2017 tenth place ITC)

Rainer Steinhagen(2016 sixth place ITC)

Matthew Thomson (2014 fourth place ITC)

Gareth Lake (2014 first place ITC)


ITC PASS RATE

Nedbank National average

APC/QE II

Nedbank National average

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

PASS RATES


2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

Joanna Taylor

What best prepared you for the ITC exam?

Practice, practice, practice. I started studying quite early and allowed myself time to get through most of the board course work. This gave me an opportunity to grapple with topics I hadn’t been exposed to in university or had completely forgotten about. At the end of the day you are not being tested on theory and therefore practising as much as possible should be your main aim.

Practising under exam conditions for the week before helped ensure I would be ready for the 12 hours of exams. Writing four exams in two days is a marathon that you need to practise for.

What was your differentiating factor?I took two days off before the exam to rest and get in the right mind-set. People tend to study until the last minute; I was guilty of this, but had to learn to be kinder to myself in the latter part of my studying. My differentiating factor really came from working hard in PGDA, the goal of which is to prepare you for ITC. Consistency throughout PGDA meant that I didn’t change much leading up to ITC.


HOT SEAT WITH OUR ITC TOP ACHIEVERS


Christopher Powels

What best prepared you for the ITC exam?

To recognise that the road to ITC began on the first day of my undergraduate career and to emphasise the significance of continuous learning and development by first laying a solid foundation of core principles. I then built on each subsequent year, ultimately finishing off with the technical aspects covered in CTA.

Being a tutor for two years helped to ensure that my technical understanding of the content was on point – as the best way to know whether you understand something, is being able to teach someone else the same thing. This ensured that I kept current on prior years’ work, which formed the base for more technical concepts covered in CTA.

Lastly, I believe the support structures provided by the Nedbank programme greatly assisted my preparation process. The constant support and guidance from second- and third-year mentors allowed me to ask all the questions, technical and personal, to ensure my nerves were settled and I was comfortable walking into the exam.

What was your differentiating factor?

My consistent work ethic and never-give-up attitude. CTA and ITC preparation is a very tough and demanding period that requires a large amount of sacrifice, and as such it requires a positive attitude day in and day out to ensure that progress is being made consistently, regardless of how small or big. I was fortunate to have exceptional support structures in family, friends, lecturers and mentors throughout CTA, which I believe helped me to maintain this positive attitude. A balanced lifestyle is key to success, ensuring that you prioritise and give time to both academics and activities outside of studies, and maintain mental and physical health.


Mark Champion

What best prepared you for the APC exam?

While we were provided with a variety of training opportunities by Nedbank in preparation for the APC (all of which were extremely valuable), I believe my rotation in Specialised Finance best prepared me for the exam. Specialised Finance required me to analyse the financial performance of companies from a broad range of industries. I was then required to perform indepth industry analysis, often working together with external parties as a part of the due diligence process. All of this information was then condensed into credit papers, which I believe was instrumental to my achievement.


Stick to what works for you. We have all been through university and over the years each of us has developed a system that works. This took discipline, as I have always been a relatively more ‘relaxed’ student, and given the pressure of the APC it would have been easy to dive head first into my preparation for the five days, surfacing only hours before the exam was to be written.

However, I took a few days of annual leave before the actual prerelease period to clear my mind and ‘switch off’. Once we received the prerelease information I split my day into sessions and worked for between six and eight hours a day. I also firmly believe that exercise is critical to being able to study effectively. As such, I also made sure that I had set aside one hour each day for exercise to ensure I was both mentally and physically fit for the exam.

HOT SEAT WITH OUR APC TOP ACHIEVERS


Greg Rowan

How did Nedbank support you in preparation for the APC exam?

Nedbank provides a multilayered approach to preparing the second-year trainees for the APC exam. Primarily, the support comes through extensive training that is tailored towards focusing on skills that will assist the trainees to excel in the exam. This includes a session with a research specialist to improve case study skills, as well as a three-day audit intervention designed to prepare trainees for audit considerations in the APC. In terms of APC programmes, trainees can choose from either the UCT or APT programmes, with the latter programme’s lectures being held at Nedbank for the trainees’ benefit. Nedbank has one of the most attractive study leave propositions in the market. It provides trainees with much required time to focus on the board course material, and to be as best prepared as possible for all exams written during the year.


I didn’t have a differentiating factor per se, but rather a culmination of factors over my

training period at Nedbank, as well as a concerted effort to be mentally prepared and rested for the final exam. The exposure and experience that I had in my first two years at Nedbank were definitely important factors in preparing me professionally for the responses required in the exam. I was exposed to and worked on projects that were highly strategic in nature, mirroring the line of thinking that is required to excel in the APC. In terms of writing exams, both the CA Training Programme and my rotation were extremely supportive in providing the required capacity and time off to concentrate on putting my best effort forward in the numerous exams written.

OUR INITIATIVES

EVERY YEAR UNDERGRADUATE AND

POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS ARE

AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO

ATTEND EXCLUSIVE NETWORKING

EVENTS. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY

FOR THE STUDENTS TO FIND

OUT MORE ABOUT THE VARIOUS

PROSPECTS WITHIN THE CA

TRAINING PROGRAMME.

LEADING LADIES

LEADING LADIESIS AN INITIATIVE

DESIGNED TO EMPOWER YOUNG WOMEN AND

FOR ASPIRANT WOMENTO LEARN WHAT IT TAKES

TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

This event provides an intimate space for views to be shared,

ranging from the role that women play in the corporate world and

work-life balance to topics relevant to millennials.

At the event you will learn what roles CAs fulfil at Nedbank, what you can

expect from a career in banking and how women can grow further and have a challenging and rewarding career as a CA in banking. It is your time to showcase your extraordinary talents

and step into the shoes of a leading lady.

This event is open to female students in their final year of CA

undergraduate studies.

NEDBANK CA TRAINING PROGRAMME < | > | CONTENTS 13< > CONTENTS< > CONTENTS< > CONTENTS

MEET AND GREET

THIS IS AN EXCLUSIVE NETWORKING EVENT THAT

ALLOWS STUDENTS TO FIND OUT ABOUT OUR UNIQUE PROGRAMME OFFERING.

Students get to discover what makes our trainees

worldclass CAs and meet our programme and senior

executive management team.

CA SEMINAR EXPERIENCETHE PURPOSE OF CASEMINAR EXPERIENCE (CASE) IS TO INTRODUCE 35 FINAL-YEAR BCOM/BUS SCIENCE CA STREAM STUDENTS TO THE CULTURE, VALUES AND BRAND OF NEDBANK GROUP.

They will: master professional, financial and

leadership skills with informative talks and workshops;

gain insight into Nedbank’s culture, values and brand; meet and network with the Nedbank

CEO, executives, directors and current trainees; and

attend presentations on professional skills, exam techniques, CV-writing skills, personal branding and more.


‘Safety and security don’t just happen, they are the

result of collective consensus and

public investment.’– Nelson Mandela

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:

PROJECT ITLOLEWe believe children are the most vulnerable

citizens in society and we owe them a life free of violence and fear – and that is why Nedbank

chose the Epworth Children’s Village.


What did the programme do to help the children?Project Itlole’s aim was to revamp the playground area and the learning centre. In just under three days we created a soccer field, revamped and transformed the basketball court, refurbished the existing jungle gyms and provided the home with brand-new jungle gyms. The learning centre, which was previously used as a storage facility, had a leaking roof and broken windows, but was transformed through a complete renovation.


To date the Nedbank CA Training Programme has raised just over R900 000 for various community initiatives, the latest being Project Itlole, which focused on Epworth Children’s Village. Epworth is a Germiston-based non-profit organisation that is home to approximately 80 children who are victims of domestic violence. The home provides the children with basic needs such as shelter, food and clothing.

Boitshoko Mongalo CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LEAD

What part of the project do you think had the biggest impact on the lives of the children there?The playground area had the biggest impact. I think that as adults, we tend to forget that sometimes the most vital element to a child’s development is simply being a child. Playing allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination and dexterity, physical, cognitive and emotional strength. It is also important for healthy brain development.

How was your experience of leading such a big project?Leading the project was a phenomenal experience. Being given the opportunity to lead such a huge event taught me so much about myself and sharpened my leadership, interpersonal, negotiation and fundraising skills. It was truly rewarding and heart-warming to see the results of our work, and to see the smiles and giggles on the children’s faces as they played on their new and improved facilities.


CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

COOLEST EXPERIENCES


CELEBRATINGAPC RESULTS


COOLEST EXPERIENCES CELEBRATING

ITC RESULTS


COOLEST EXPERIENCES

WEEKEND AWAY AT KIEVITS KROON COUNTRY ESTATE

How will youget your CA(SA)?

ONE OF THE UNIQUE ASPECTS

OF OUR PROGRAMME IS THAT

YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR OWN

ROTATIONS TO ALIGN TO

YOUR CAREER GOALS.

CHOOSEYOUR

OWN PATH


CORPORATE FINANCE

Galetume Rampedi

Can you tell us about your rotation in Corporate Finance?

My role in Corporate Finance is that of a junior analyst. My responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assisting in the preparation of pitch proposal documents, creating models, performing industry research and company research, and structuring and executing deals. I find this rotation very interesting because it helps me improve not only my technical skills and market knowledge, but my communication and networking skills as well. In my team I have had the opportunity to interact with many clients who hold top positions in their company and industries. I find it’s great interacting with individuals that I see as role models and mentors; it always reminds me how much I can still achieve.

What was your biggest learning/growth point?

The biggest learning point for me over the past few years has been the importance of emotional intelligence and knowing oneself. Given that we spend so much of our lives at work it is important that people enjoy working with you and that you enjoy working with your team.

Over and above the work, it becomes fulfilling to build worthwhile relationships with those around you. In terms of knowing oneself, it is important that you have a passion for what you do, you find your coping mechanisms and you find balance.

What is the culture like in your rotation?

Work hard, play hard and sleep later. That pretty much summarises it. It is a fast-paced environment with a lot of work, but it is very rewarding when you have achieved your outcome. People are very helpful and always willing to teach you. You must just be willing to work hard and not be afraid to ask questions.


CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANKING: CREDIT

Alex Bouter

What did your role entail?

The role given to a CA trainee in Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB): Credit is that of a credit manager. CIB: Credit is the approval function for all investment banking deals, and within this function credit managers are given the responsibility to manage their own portfolio of clients/deals from a credit risk perspective. This entails evaluating investment banking deals from end-to-end, presenting to and debating with the bank’s Credit Committee for deal approval, liaising with the front-office team to structure deals appropriately, evaluating and rating clients on the scale of investment grade to junk, preparing and structuring Client Coverage deals and attending client meetings. A CA trainee is given huge responsibility in this rotation and it is really only self-starters who thrive. It is a fast-paced working environment, where assertiveness and professionalism are key.

What was the working environment like?

The working environment within CIB Credit is high-paced and enables a CA trainee to be upskilled as quickly as possible.

The various teams are full of experienced CA credit executives who are willing to give advice at any point and are invested in the development of the trainees. There is regular training to make sure all individuals involved are upskilled and up to date with all market, regulatory and legal developments. The various executives adopt a mentor-type role and will guide the trainee to help nurture their growth throughout the rotation.


VENTURE CAPITAL

Bafana Mhlanga

Can you tell us about your rotation?

The Venture Capital team aims to make pure minority equity investments in early-stage disruptive technology companies. In my role as an investment analyst I am responsible for writing proposals to be presented to Nedbank’s Investment Committee, which makes investment decisions. My job involves performing financial analysis, which includes building financial models, making desktop valuations and analysing the commercial and scaling viability of a business to ultimately determine the fair value at which Venture Capital is to make an investment.

What is the working environment like?The environment is conducive to innovative thinking and solutions. The team is positive and driven, which allows us to feed off each other’s energy through a ‘work hard and play hard’ atmosphere. We’ve found it to be quite important to build good relationships with one another and I would regard each member as somewhat of a mentor to me. More importantly, within a month I had forgotten that I was a trainee. This is because the team puts a lot of emphasis on your technical learning experience while also showing confidence in your abilities by enhancing them with value-adding responsibilities of soft professional skills.

What has been your biggest learning/growth point?I have learnt about various business models and the modelling techniques that need to be used when determining the value of a new business, as well as being able to define and explain what it takes to start and run a successful company. I’ve been fortunate to have been exposed to senior Nedbank officials, valuing companies, interacting with the founding members of tech companies and writing committee papers.


WEALTH AND EXTERNAL AUDIT

Rob Anderson

Can you tell us about your rotation in Wealth?

I was fortunate to spend nine months rotating through the various business units in Nedbank Wealth, including the Centre (Reporting team), Nedbank Private Wealth (NPW), Stockbroking and Asset Management. In the Centre I worked directly under the CFO of the cluster. Highlights included the preparation of the interim results and involvement in the three-year-planning budgeting process, as well as getting exposure to senior management daily. In NPW I worked for the Stockbroking finance team and highlights included engaging with the portfolio managers daily and preparing the annual financial statements. In Asset Management I stepped out of a finance role and managed to secure a rotation as an equity analyst for the Property Fund. Highlights included building a valuation model from scratch for one of the listed real estate investment trusts and presenting my research and recommendations to the business. Nedbank Wealth is a great place to be for your first year of articles. The CA trainees have a great reputation in the business and the staff are very friendly, down to earth and approachable. The culture is laid-back but results-driven, and the teams rely heavily on receiving a trainee every year, so you fulfil the role of a permanent teammember with fulltime responsibilities. Based on this, the exposure one gets is invaluable. I would highly recommend Wealth as a first-year rotation.

How did you find external audit? I thoroughly enjoyed my brief rotation at PKF Octagon, an external audit firm. I was treated as a fulltime audit clerk and allocated to various audits across multiple industries. I was fortunate to get exposure to the entire audit cycle from beginning to end, including work that usually only second- and third-year audit clerks get involved in, and ended up dealing with clients by myself. I got on really well with the audit trainees, managers and partners at the firm. The audit trainees were very diverse, as many of them were still studying or had families, and I learned a lot from them. I was treated as a colleague with mutual respect and not as an outsider, and the managers and partners really made a concerted effort to ensure I got the most out of my short time there.


GROUP FINANCE (NAMIBIA)

Ipeleng Phele

Tell us about your role in Group Finance (Namibia)

I was fortunate enough to have dual roles as both a financial officer (FO) and a treasury product controller in Group Finance at Nedbank Namibia. As an FO, my primary responsibility was to prepare, review and amend the annual financial statements of the subsidiaries in the NedNamibia group. This included all the statements and notes, plus the accounting policies. In addition to this, I was tasked with responding to and addressing any audit queries received regarding the preparation of the statements. As a treasury product controller, I was tasked with preparing month-end reports about the treasury instruments issued by the bank, monitoring various instruments and testing system controls surrounding the capturing and reporting of the instruments’ daily and monthly movements.

What was your biggest learning/growth point?

I learnt a lot about managing a bank’s liquidity. Everyone knows the operations of most entities, but not everyone understands how to stabilise an entity with many moving parts and how to add value through that process. I also improved my ability to provide insights to different audiences as a result of working with people with different skill sets and levels of expertise, ranging from data capturers, tax managers and the acting CFO.


PROPERTY FINANCE SALES

Lulu Molemong

Can you tell us a bit about Property Finance Sales and what it entails?

The Property Finance office in Pretoria specialises in the financing of commercial, industrial, retail and residential development property, offering loan funding to developers, owners, occupiers and investors. The funding can be in the form of conventional loans, building loans, development loans or a combination.

This is a year-long rotation and I am an analyst, focusing primarily on corporate and listed clients. My prime responsibility is the writing of credit motivations, requesting approval from Credit for our clients’ funding requirements. What have been your biggest growth points in this rotation?

I have learnt a great deal about property fundamentals and all the key considerations

to be taken into account when structuring funding deals. I have learnt about the different methods of valuing properties, as well as the key drivers of property valuations. Furthermore, I have had to be more proactive and vocal when it comes to the kind of exposure I would like to get.


ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND

Joanna Taylor

Tell us a bit about your rotation at Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)

I was placed in two six-week rotations in Group Finance at RBS. This was to ensure that I received as much exposure as I could while I was there. The first rotation I had involved external reporting. Thereafter I was placed in Allocations. This is allocating costs to the rest of the banking divisions. In this rotation I had a CA(SA) as my line manager, which helped to ensure that I got the competencies I needed while I was there.

How is the culture in RBS?RBS has a great culture. The dress code is relaxed, with people getting to wear what they are comfortable in. As the headoffice is quite far from the suburbs, working hours are flexible as people need to commute to work. My colleagues were incredibly friendly and welcoming, ensuring that I settled in smoothly. RBS, like Nedbank is a very green bank. There are recycling stations and trees planted inside the beautifully modern building too.


MEET OURFIRST-YEARS

Great things happen with great people.


Luyanda Njilo

Why did you choose banking?

The banking industry is the backbone of the economy. From large corporates down to the man on the street, banks connect them all. I have been interested in financial markets and the impact they had on the economy and people subsequent to the 2008 crisis. Completing articles at Nedbank will help me start my career early as I can complete my articles, build my brand and create connections all at once. The banking route is niche and individually focused. This, coupled with the responsibility placed on trainees, enables me to grow within the programme.

How did you find induction?

The lessons I learnt in induction were invaluable. Learning how to build my brand and dress and communicate effectively were the highlights of induction for me. Coming from university, where emphasis was placed on IQ, it was a surprise to see the value Nedbank places on EQ. Being a well-rounded individual with a deep awareness of one’s self were my biggest takeaways from induction. Induction also provided a platform to build close relationships with our fellow trainees. Having gone through various challenges and fun times together, it is no surprise that we came out of induction as a family, rather than coworkers.


Izaan Messelaar

What support did you receive for the ITC exam?

Nedbank’s support for ITC didn’t just start a month or two before we wrote the exam. We were allocated two programme buddies while we were in CTA. Their role was to support us throughout the CTA journey. Nedbank also arranged an ITC workshop with Rob Anderson, who came fourth in the 2018 ITC exam. Before the workshop we had to identify any areas in which we struggled, which he addressed. Nedbank also paid for our board course training and ITC exams. How have you found adjusting from the university life to working fulltime?

It has been quite an adjustment. Nedbank has made this journey much smoother as we had a month-long induction, which allowed me to gradually transition to the working environment. Nedbank has other ongoing support systems in place to help ease the process, such as its buddy and mentorship programmes and an employee wellness programme. What has exceeded your expectations?

I thought banking would be cut-throat. When I got to my rotation, everyone was very friendly, helpful and understanding. The people in my team are never too busy to help in areas where I struggle.


Aimee Te Riele

Why did you choose Nedbank?

The people. Nedbank is an organisation that truly invests in its people and the effect of this can be felt in the warmth that welcomes you when you walk through Nedbank’s doors. I found that you can walk into any room with any Nedbank staff and you will always be greeted with a smile. The culture is incomparable to any other organisation and I am grateful to the Nedbank team for having me in their family.

How has the transition to living in Johannesburg been?

I am from a small farm in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, but I survived boarding school and five years in Cape Town, so being away from home was not a big hurdle for me. However, a professional life is quite different from a student one. We were assigned two mentors from the year above us, who helped us with any questions or concerns we had regarding this transition. The trainees were inclusive and made us feel like we were part of the team by organising after-work drinks and weekend fun. The Nedbank trainees have been incredible in helping us establish ourselves.

What has exceeded your expectations?

The generosity of the organisation. Nedbank does this to ensure you perform at your best while being your best.




MEET OURSECOND-YEARS

Boitumelo MorodiCan you tell us about your experience organising Leading Ladies?Organising Leading Ladies was an experience that really pushed me beyond my boundaries. It was the first Leading Ladies that included quant students and the biggest Leading Ladies to have been hosted. This created a great opportunity for networking, knowledge-sharing and diverse views for the students outside of just the CA stream. My biggest takeaway from planning Leading Ladies was that with great opportunity comes great responsibility, but no moment could match the feeling of seeing the culmination of months of hard work come to fruition.

If you could go back to honours, would you choose Nedbank again? Most definitely. The Nedbank CA Training Programme is the most rigorous, supportive and trainee-focused programme in the country. It balances my development and training with business needs, which is not an easy task to perform.

What were your expectations before coming to Nedbank and have these been met?I have found that the programme has exceeded my expectations because I have chartered my own rotation path. I have had ample amounts of support through mentoring, coaching and courses to become a well-rounded future CA.


Matthew GodrichHow do you manage work-life balance?

Maintaining a work-life balance is one of the most important skills that you need to develop once you join the corporate world. Personally, I feel that time management plays an important role, as I prioritise the work that needs to be done while ensuring that I have sufficient time during the week and on the weekends to do the things I enjoy.

How would you describe Nedbank’s culture?

The Nedbank culture differs slightly depending on the area that you are in. In CIB: Finance, the culture is high-paced as there are deadlines that need to be met weekly. In Credit the deadlines are dependent on the deal flow, so at times the rotation is less intense. The common denominator in all areas is the willingness of every teammember to help the trainees and ensure we get the most out of every experience.

What have you enjoyed most about the programme?

I have thoroughly enjoyed how involved the trainees are in every aspect of the programme – from organising events throughout the year and conducting interviews for CASE, to being mentors to the first-years. The trainee involvement fosters a culture within the programme that I don’t think can be found elsewhere.


Uressa Chetty

What have been your highlights at Nedbank so far?My highlight so far is definitely the people. I have had the opportunity to work for very senior people who offered so much advice during my time with them. Getting to learn from these individuals has enhanced my experience thoroughly and the relationships I have made are ones I hope to maintain. My fellow trainees have also been a great part of my experience so far. It isn’t often you find colleagues who you can call your close friends, but I think that the Nedbank CA Training Programme is unique in this regard.

How do you manage work-life balance?Work-life balance is an adjustment coming out of university, but I haven’t found it difficult to maintain. It just takes getting into a routine and having discipline to ensure you still make time for yourself as well as prioritising your work. The best way I found to do this is to make time during the week for a personal activity to ensure your entire week isn’t just about work. What were your expectations before coming to Nedbank and have these been met?The Nedbank CA Training Programme has a prestigious reputation, so my expectations before joining were high. From my experience so far, these expectations have been surpassed in nearly all regards.



MEET OURFINAL-YEARS


Kate Stephens

Can you tell us about your journey at Nedbank?

I started in CIB: Finance, where my role was largely focused on ensuring the accuracy of the balance sheet for the Client Coverage team. In second year I rotated to the Special portfolio, the distressed debt management space of the bank that falls under Credit. I loved this year and was privileged to be exposed to large transactions and many client meetings. I’m now in my final year in the Leveraged and Diversified Finance team, where I’m learning valuable debt modelling skills, and enjoying the creative aspect of deal structuring, the high-energy environment as well as the relatively social nature of the team.

What are your plans after articles?

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the banking space, particularly my experiences in distressed debt in Credit and Leveraged and Diversified Finance, so I would expect that staying in banking in areas I’ve enjoyed would be fulfilling. Having completed my CFA I’ve opened a variety of doors. I would also love to travel for a few months, using it as a time to see and experience more of the world and to gain some personal perspective.


Kgosietsile Mekgwe

Can you tell us about your journey at Nedbank?I started off in an audit rotation. I did internal audit with Nedbank Group and external with Nolands. I learned the differences and similarities between the two, which would be very difficult to get during articles. I moved to Wealth in the second half of my first year and I got an opportunity to be an executive assistant to the managing executive of the Wealth Cluster. This was the highlight of my articles. I also did a rotation in Aircraft Finance which gave me exposure to the aviation industry within the banking sector. I’m currently in my final year, doing a rotation in Infrastructure, Public Sector and TMT Finance. This rotation is filled with a lot of debt modelling, deal structuring and has a lot of deal flow. What I enjoy the most is that it offers a learning opportunity for both project funding and term funding.

Is life as a banker what you expected?I have realised that banks take an interest in the wellbeing of their most important asset – their staff. There is a work-hard, play-hard culture that ensures that you always looking forward to the next day. What are your plans after articles?In the medium term I’m looking at acquiring risk-associated skills, and in the long term I’m looking at becoming an entrepreneur.


Tayla Lai Thom

What is the life of a dealer like?

Predictably unpredictable. Every day is different, with different circumstances and challenges that arise, yet every day there are predictable deliverables (for example, cash management, pricing, etc). So, there is a great balance of the known and unknown to keep you on your toes. There is always work and there is always something new to learn.

Why did you choose to stay at Nedbank after your articles?

Firstly, there are endless learning opportunities in financial markets. The industry is so dynamic and adaptive that there is no chance of ever becoming bored. Secondly, the Treasury is the heart of any bank. Without it there is no bank; we are the money. That is why I love my job and why it was blissfully easy for me to stay at Nedbank.

Do you believe your articles prepared you for your current role?

Totally. My many different roles in the bank all contributed to the skills that I apply in Treasury. My group rotations prepared me for the high-level reporting responsibilities in Treasury. My time at the external audit firm (Octagon) prepared me for the detailed and granular reporting duties in Treasury. My front-office role in Specialised Finance added to my soft skills and knowledge in terms of investment banking, which helps me in my current role.

HEAR FROM ALUMNI


Bohlokwa Napo

Description of current roleI’m in Corporate Finance: Advisory and joined the team in my last year of articles. No two days are the same in Corporate Finance, but the role entails, among other things: collating pitch books with various merger and acquisition ideas; performing valuations; structuring transactions and capital raising (including initial public offers, rights offers, private placements and preferential share offers). Despite the hard work and extremely long hours, I have learnt a lot not only about the work but also about myself. It has stretched me to lengths I never thought imaginable. This may sound clichéd, but I truly understood the saying ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ in Corporate Finance.

Did doing the Nedbank CA Training Programme give you an advantage in your career path? Without a doubt, the programme pays special attention to the learning and development journey of all the trainees and provides additional skills development sessions, eg advanced Excel training, professional writing skills, additional Board 2 support, etc. These sessions were useful to me as they have helped me to perform better. I have been given the opportunity to be in front-office roles from my second year of articles, I have been exposed to numerous sectors and have built a solid network within the bank and beyond.

Would you recommend the CA Training Programme for articles? Why?I would definitely recommend the CA Training Programme, not only because I have walked the path and I have an obvious allegiance to the brand, but also because Nedbank is a great place to transform from being a bit rough around the edges to a fully fledged young professional. The mentors have a vested interest in the programme and are always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that you get up the curve as quickly as possible. Above everything else, I naturally gravitated towards Nedbank because of the culture and warmth of the trainees, mentors and management.

HEAR FROM ALUMNI


Why do you support the CA Training Programme?

I believe in people development and the programme helps to address the skills shortage in the financial services sector. The programme gives us an opportunity to build the skills capacity for our future leaders. The trainees have an added advantage by being exposed to real-life/on-the-job training and they have an opportunity to engage closely with mentors and coaches in the specific disciplines.

What role do CA trainees play in your team?CA trainees play a significant role in our team. They are involved in the full value chain of the services we provide to our clients. This involves client engagement, deal structuring, application of relevant valuation methodologies and ongoing maintenance of the transactions at hand. The trainees also interact with all internal stakeholders, including senior executives.

HEAR FROM LINE MANAGERS


PRINCIPAL – CIB: PROPERTY FINANCE

Khayise Mashifane

How do trainees fit into your team?

The trainee effectively becomes a credit manager in the team. They will be responsible for the day-to-day management of a portfolio of clients, they prepare credit papers based on discussions held internally and with clients and will present these credit papers to the relevant committees.

Why do you support the CA Training Programme?The trainee forms a vital part of the team, especially with their knowledge of current accounting practices. An example is the new IFRS 9 standard, which we implemented last year. We are also supportive of retaining top talent in Nedbank and the trainees become well-rounded through the Programme.

HEAR FROM LINE MANAGERS


CREDIT RISK EXECUTIVE – SPECIAL PORTFOLIO

Catrina Le Grange

Nedbank CA Training Programme Applications open in January and close mid-March for entry to the programme for the following year. To apply you must be registered for a Certificate in the Theory of Accounting or an equivalent year of postgraduate studies. Visit our website for more information.

NedbankCA SeminarExperience

Applications open in July each year and close in September for entry for the following year. To apply you should be in

your final year of undergraduate studies. Visit our website for more information.

Nedbank Meetand Greet

There are various sessions inJohannesburg and Cape Town

during the year. Visit our website for more information.

Contact usApply at www.nedbank.co.za/ca.

Email any questions [email protected].

HOW TOAPPLY


http://www.nedbank.co.za/ca

mailto:[email protected]

Nedbank Ltd Reg No 1951/000009/06. Authorised financial services and registered credit provider (NCRCP16).

Nedbank 135 Rivonia Campus135 Rivonia Road Sandown Sandton 2196 South AfricaPO Box 1144 Johannesburg 2000 South Africanedbank.co.za

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years of excellence€¦ · capital management. As a certified life coach, I have a passion for nurturing young talent and working alongside them to help them harness their talents