How My Student House, supported by an outsourced CFO from The CFO Centre, built strong financial foundations to scale student accommodation and empower South Africa’s future leaders.
South Africa faces a growing shortage of student accommodation, leaving many young people without access to safe, affordable housing during their academic journey. My Student House, is closing this gap by offering secure, cost-effective living spaces designed specifically for students.
Their mission goes beyond providing a roof over their heads; they create environments where learners can thrive, focus on their studies, and build a foundation for a brighter future. By investing in the well-being and comfort of tomorrow’s leaders, they’re helping shape a more empowered and educated South Africa.
As the demands of running the business intensified, Retha van Rooyen, Founder & CEO of My Student House, found herself stretched thin juggling day-to-day operations while steering long-term growth. Despite her commitment and vision, she lacked the specialised financial expertise and strategic planning capabilities needed to elevate the business to its next phase.
It became clear to her that she needed more than just support; she needed a seasoned expert who could bring structure, insight, and forward-thinking leadership to their financial strategy. That’s when Rochell Serdyn, an outsourced CFO from The CFO Centre entered the picture.With her deep experience and sharp strategic mind, she quickly became the driving force behind My Student House’s financial transformation.
Rochell didn’t just advise from the sidelines; she embedded herself into the team, understood their challenges, and helped them unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth. Today, she’s an integral part of the leadership team, and her impact continues to shape the future of My Student House.
Rochell helped them get their house in order. They now have an anchor, a robust five-year strategic plan that guides every decision they make. This roadmap has enabled them to implement new procedures and processes that support sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and a consistent student experience across all touchpoints.
Financial disciplines are now firmly embedded in their operations, ensuring that they manage resources wisely and make data-driven decisions. Automation has become a key enabler, streamlining workflows, improving responsiveness, and allowing the team to focus on what matters most: serving their students with excellence.
Today, My Student House operates with clarity, confidence, and purpose. With the right systems and support in place, they are no longer just managing demand, they’re proactively shaping the future. Their focus has shifted back to their core purpose: empowering students by providing safe, affordable, and well-managed accommodation that allows them to concentrate on their studies and prepare for life beyond university.
“The CFO Centre has played a pivotal role in this transformation. Their ongoing support continues to strengthen our financial strategy and operational resilience as we work toward our ambitious goal: reaching 10,000 students and achieving a R1 billion turnover. With a clear vision and the right partners by our side, we’re building more than just housing—we’re building futures.” – Retha van Rooyen, Founder & CEO of My Student House.
The impact of an Outsourced CFO in our business
“Their (The CFO Centre) ongoing support continues to strengthen our financial strategy and operational resilience.”
Retha van Rooyen
Founder & CEO, My Student House
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