Sanlam senior financial manager sets his tone

The senior financial manager for financial reporting and business support vacancy was entrusted to Astrido Barth-Philander. . Astrido is a University of Cape Town (UCT) graduate, born and raised in Rehoboth. He was given a bursary by SGA Chartered Accountants and Auditors to UCT, with the possibility of a job on his return. He graduated with an accounting postgraduate diploma in 2017. In 2020, he qualified as a charted accountant. “I have three siblings (one brother and two sisters), and I got to marry the woman of my dreams,” he said.

After spending four years with SGA, he was employed by Sanlam in February 2022. Astrido oversees the monthly, quarterly, and annual internal, statutory, as well as group reporting requirements including budgeting and ensuring that all are done accurately, effectively, and timeously. He is also tasked with the smooth operation of the interim and final audits of the group companies. “Financial managers of affluent and ELM business support are my team, and I manage them,” he said. He added that he also ensures that they meet the stipulated deadlines as well as the provision of value-added support to the business segments.

Upon receiving an email informing him that he was the successful candidate for the Sanlam position, he was relieved and excited. He believed it to be the next perfect step in his career. “Joining the Sanlam family is such a great privilege and honour,” he said. Astrido said that the Sanlam application process was the smoothest, as their website is user friendly.

“The daily and rapid learning that takes place at Sanlam fascinates me, this is inclusive of learning how my system works, how to think differently in the rectification of problems as opposed to my usual ways, and most importantly, meeting and getting to know the larger Sanlam family,” said Astrido.

Barth-Philander plans on leaving behind an unforgettable legacy at Sanlam, and whichever other institution he goes to thereafter. He said he believes all this is possible by hard work, dedication, leadership, and a persistent need to learn and improve, as well as his transition of those qualities onto his predecessors. He also aims to be the ultimate strategic decision-maker of a large company within the coming 15 years, as this grants him the ability to affect society positively, on a large scale. He cautioned that in his line of work, one should effectively, and accurately get the job done, while adding value to it as, “effective problem solving is a key component to success.”