LEDGERS AND LATE NIGHTS
Long before spreadsheets and balance sheets became part of her daily routine, Antoinette Vogel spent her childhood dozing off under an office desk in an old-age home, lulled to sleep by the quiet hum of her mother working through the night. Her mother, a dedicated night nurse, often brought Antoinette and her younger sister along when she worked the late shifts. While other children were tucked into their own beds at home, Antoinette curled up under a desk, surrounded by the steady rhythm of paperwork shuffling, the soft voices of nurses, and the comforting scent of antiseptic and warm tea.
But it wasn’t just a makeshift bed – it was a front-row seat to lessons in resilience, responsibility, and compassion. Watching her mother care for elderly residents, balancing long shifts with raising two daughters as a single parent, Antoinette absorbed the values of hard work and perseverance without even realising it. That same quiet determination would later shape her path, guiding her into the world of accounting, where precision and dedication are the keys to success.
Raised in Harrismith in the Free State, Antoinette knew early on that a university education wasn’t something she could afford outright. But she also knew that where there’s a will, there’s a way. In Grade 10, she discovered her love for accounting and mapped out a practical plan for her future – an accounting firm that allowed students to complete their articles while studying full-time. Wasting no time, she applied, setting her sights on a future where she could build a stable and fulfilling career without waiting for opportunities to land in her lap.
Balancing full-time work with her studies, Antoinette completed her three-year accounting degree in just three and a half years. It was a challenge that required unwavering discipline, but she knew that every late night spent poring over financial statements was a step closer to financial independence. Looking back, she is immensely proud of having funded her own education – proof that determination, not circumstance, defines a person’s success.
After 14 years at her previous accounting firm, Antoinette wasn’t actively searching for change, but the opportunity to join the Consolidated Employers’ Organisation (CEO) arrived at just the right moment. It was an unexpected yet perfectly timed shift, much like those nights under the desk had unknowingly prepared her for a lifetime of problem-solving and structured thinking. At CEO, she found not just a new workplace but a dynamic and growing organisation where she could continue to thrive, surrounded by colleagues who share her dedication and work ethic.
Friends describe Antoinette as soft-hearted, someone who always puts others first. Whether it’s treating loved ones to something special or taking on extra responsibilities at work, she has a habit of saying yes – sometimes to a fault. It’s no surprise, then, that if she had taken a different path, she imagines herself in medicine, helping others in a more hands-on way. But in many ways, accounting and medicine share the same core principles: structure, attention to detail, and a commitment to making things better.
When she’s not balancing numbers, Antoinette enjoys action netball, long walks, and unwinding with an episode of Suits. Her love for coffee is unwavering, even if she prefers it decaf – proof that some habits, like hard work and a love for order, don’t need a caffeine boost to keep going.
For Antoinette, life has always been about making the most of what’s in front of her, whether it was a night spent sleeping under a desk or a career built through grit and determination. Looking back, she wouldn’t change a thing – because every late shift, every sacrifice, and every choice led her exactly where she was meant to be.
