Breaking into the finance industry

In January, Jacinta Lima was appointed as a revenue analyst at FlyNamibia, a promotion from her previous position as management accountant.

Lima’s current roles and responsibilities are focused on the optimisation of allocated flights, to ensure that all flights depart with optimal revenue and passenger loads.

She is also involved in analysing and compiling financial reports for management and the board.

Lima explained that her current role relies on skills and responsibilities that she gained in her previous position as a management accountant.

"I am responsible for producing monthly, weekly and daily reports relating to daily figures, operational performance, and booking velocity. I plan and validate forecast projections for allocated routes, as well as building and running financial forecasts," she said.

Additionally, Lima is involved in the financial pillar of management accounting, which includes analysing and compiling financial reports for management and board level.

Educationally driven

To acquire an education fit for her career, the young professional took on several courses to enhance and strengthen her educational base.

Lima is excited to learn and use the experience at FlyNamibia to tackle the final strategic level, which focuses on long-term strategic decision making.

After matriculating from St. Paul’s College, Lima pursued a bachelor of commerce degree, specialising in financial accounting. During this time at Stellenbosch University, she decided to take on many courses, which she says gave her the skill set to be successful in her current position.

Although her coursework during the financial accounting degree was mainly focused on the analysis and reporting of businesses’ financial information, Lima chose to supplement her studies by enrolling in a bachelor of commerce (honours) in management accounting.

"This course pushed me out of my comfort zone as studying was no longer as simple as black and white. The qualification taught me skills for strategic advice, managing risk and making key decisions," she said.

At the moment, Lima is continuing her education by working towards a Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) professional qualification.

The practical work experience she gained during her first four months at FlyNamibia contributed to her successfully completing the management level. Thereafter, she was awarded a CIMA advanced diploma in management accounting in October 2022.

Initially, Lima says she thought to pursue a career in economics, an interest that was sparked during her high school years. She ranked fifth in the NSSC national examinations in 2017.

Defying the odds

While finance is still thought of as a male-dominated field that is difficult to break into, Lima says this has not limited her desire to break the barrier. Her aim is to allow other women in the financial industry to realise that it is possible.

Apart from balancing work obligations and studies, she spends most of her time in the gym – her second favourite place to be after her bed.

Staying active helps her maintain mental well-being, and travelling helps her create lifelong memories. "It is not the most favourable time to be a Liverpool supporter, but I still enjoy watching football," she said.