Our story as a firm begins in 2020. In July 2020, Tumelo Makgakga (founder and director) took a leap of faith, right in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, and resigned from his management position at a big 4 accounting firm to start his own company.

Tumelo began his career at KPMG SA, where he accumulated vast experience. After completing articles, he had a unique opportunity to join KPMG UK in London, where he worked on international assignments for a period of six months. Prior to starting FirstPlace, Tumelo joined PwC SA and expanded his knowledge and experience in the industry while working on key JSE-listed clients.

In mid-2020, Tumelo left PwC to start FirstPlace, pursuing his passion to work with businesses and entrepreneurs to help them save, build, grow, and scale their businesses. His ultimate goal is to curb the unemployment rate in the country by providing much-needed support through affordable accounting, audit, tax, payroll, and consulting services.

Tumelo firmly believes that by working closely with business owners and entrepreneurs to assist them with accounting, audit, and advisory services, their businesses stand a higher chance not only to survive but also to grow and scale.

FirstPlace as a firm has grown since inception and has now created employment for other professionals, a large part of whom are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.