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CERI’s new Senior Project Accountant, Ronel Winnaar, believes in the value of collaboration, continuous learning, and doing work that makes a difference.

A qualified Professional Accountant (SA) and CIMA Management Level professional, Ronel brings more than 15 years of experience in accounting and financial management to her new role within CERI’s Grants and Contracts team as Senior Project Accountant, based at the CERI-BMRI office at Tygerberg.

“CERI’s impact and investment in young professionals on the African continent is quite remarkable in shaping the future for Africa,” she says of what attracted her to the organisation.

Ronel’s interest in finance began with an aptitude for accounting, economics, and mathematics at school. She started her career as an article clerk straight out of university, gaining a broad grounding in the profession and learning from mentors who helped shape her development.

Her approach to work has also been strongly influenced by the values she learnt from her parents: humility, a strong work ethic, accountability, and integrity. “I believe strongly in doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, and in treating people with respect regardless of their position or role,” she says.

At CERI, Ronel will support the financial management of research projects, from budgeting and expenditure tracking to reporting and forecasting. She also brings experience in internal controls, standard operating procedures, systems automation, and using financial data to support decision-making.

Good financial management, she says, plays an important role in research by helping ensure funding is used for its intended purpose, projects remain financially sustainable, and funders have confidence that their investments are responsibly managed.

Joining CERI also marks a return to familiar territory. Ronel holds a BCom Honours in Management Accounting from Stellenbosch University. “It is a privilege to be back as an employee at the University that shaped my thinking and prepared me for my career,” she says.

She is particularly looking forward to learning from CERI’s diverse community and working with colleagues across grants management, research, funder administration, and the University’s support departments.

Outside the office, Ronel enjoys camping, hiking, safaris, and adventures with her husband and teenage son. She describes herself as an “introverted extrovert” who tends to focus quietly on her work when entering a new environment. “In time I will be more social and get to know my new colleagues better – and they will learn more about me too,” she says.

Welcome to CERI, Ronel!

News date: 2026-09-16

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