Frederick Chikambure, Founder
Founder
Current Experience:
Founder Chikambure · Full-time Apr 2023 - Present · (2 yrs 4 mos)
Past Experiences:
Group Management Accountant Pedrim · Full-time Sep 2021 - Mar 2023 · (1 yr 7 mos)
Accountant at Meha Art & Interiors · Full-time Jun 2020 - Aug 2021 · (1 yr 3 mos)
Associate Accountant at CFO360 Apr 2019 - Jun 2020 · (1 yr 3 mos)
Founder at English Allies Cseenglish Allies CSE Jul 2017 - Mar 2019 · (1 yr 9 mos)
Qualifications:
Diploma, Management Accounting
Advanced Diploma, Management Accounting
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Meet Frederick Chikambure, a Chartered Management Accountant who’s turning financial confusion into clarity for struggling SMEs. He’s only been in practice for 2 years, but his impact is already massive: from near-insolvency to profitability, thanks to systems, controls, and financial discipline.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
06:30 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I usually start my day with a walk, run, or some form of exercise.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
Working with entrepreneurs on the financial side of their businesses made me realise how many avoidable financial issues come down to a lack of accessible, easy-to-understand information. That’s what sparked my interest in accounting and supporting SMEs.
Can you share some career highlights and defining moments as an accountant for SMEs?
One of the standout moments in my career was helping a client who was on the brink of insolvency. Their business operated on very tight margins, so every financial decision carried weight. I worked with them to put proper financial systems, controls, and governance in place. With clear policies and better management, they were able to stabilise the business and eventually return to profitability.
How do you build strong relationships with your clients?
I focus on understanding what matters most to each client and communicate in a way that connects our financial strategies to the outcomes they value. It’s about making the numbers relevant to their goals so they can clearly see the impact on their business.
What are some future goals for your firm?
One of our goals is to expand the firm’s presence across Southern Africa and build a strong regional footprint.
What’s next on your professional journey?
The next step in my professional journey is focused on expanding and scaling the firm further.
Share your strategies for maintaining balance between personal and professional life.
Coordinating my schedule with my wife helps ensure I set aside time for important family commitments and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
What do you enjoy when you’re off the clock?
I enjoy spending time with my family, watching or playing rugby, and going for a run.
How do you contribute to the development of others in your field?
I support others in the field by helping my clients' employees with personal budgeting, especially when they’re going through financial difficulties.
Are you involved in mentorship or local business initiatives?
Yes, I’m involved in both mentorship and local business initiatives.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to start their own accounting practice?
My advice would be to focus on how you communicate your work, making sure your message connects with people who don’t have a financial background.
“Nothing grows until you do.”
Share your favorite leadership lesson as a firm owner.
The biggest leadership lesson I’ve learned as a firm owner is that you must lead by example, whatever you expect from others, you need to demonstrate yourself first.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising that’s not in my bio is that when I turned 30, I completed a solo 100km run, driven by a desire to challenge the limits of both my mind and body.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower in my practice, it would be the ability to understand what people truly value, rather than just what they say they want.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during tax season or busy periods? Any tips for keeping energy levels up?
During busy periods like tax season, I make sure to carve out time for a run. It helps clear my mind and recharge me for the day ahead.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
If I could relive one day from my career, it would be the day I helped a client secure R200 million in funding. That experience shattered some limiting beliefs I didn’t even realize I had.
Frederick runs his firm, and his life, with intention, empathy, and energy (he once ran 100km solo at age 30!).
He’s not just helping clients with numbers, he’s helping teams with personal budgets, communities with financial literacy, and future leaders with mentorship.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your practice into a platform for regional growth, just like Frederick.
Profile sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants
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