About Us

About Us

Our Company History:

The firm was originally started by Patrick Eliot in 1978 in Matatiele and relocated to Port Shepstone in 1980. The firm has been in practice for more than 40 years and has grown steadily through various transitions. Hugh Strickland and Sheryle Hounsell took over the practice from Patrick in August 2001 and Sheryle subsequently emigrated to Australia in 2006. Desiree Govender joined the practice as a trainee in 2008 and she qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Registered Auditor whilst working for the firm. Desiree became a partner in 2016 and we rebranded to Hugh Strickland & Company. 

SAICA and IRBA Registered

We are proudly members of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and are registered with the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA). We are a SAICA registered training office and regularly mentor trainees. Our offices are currently located in Shelly Beach on the lower Kwazulu-Natal  South Coast.

Our Company History

The firm was originally started by Patrick Eliot in 1978 in Matatiele and relocated to Port Shepstone in 1980. The firm has been in practice for more than 40 years and has grown steadily through various transitions. Hugh Strickland and Sheryle Hounsell took over the practice from Patrick in August 2001 and Sheryle subsequently emigrated to Australia in 2006. Desiree Govender joined the practice as a trainee in 2008 and she qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Registered Auditor whilst working for the firm. Desiree became a partner in 2016 and we rebranded to Hugh Strickland & Company. 

We are proudly members of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and are registered with the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA). We are a SAICA registered training office and regularly mentor trainees. Our offices are currently located in Shelly Beach on the lower Kwazulu-Natal  South Coast.

The Partners

The Partners

Hugh Strickland CA(SA), RA
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Hugh was born and raised in Johannesburg and was educated at King Edward VII School. He studied and got his degree through UNISA and then completed honours at Natal University. He completed his training articles in Johannesbrug before moving to Margate in 1994. After writing the board exam he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1999 and registered as an auditor in 2000.

Hugh is married to Deidre, and has two grown-up children. He loves spending time with his family and friends, spending time outdoors and being involved in sport. He has completed several Comrades Marathons, Duzi Canoe Marathons, Midmar Miles and two Half Iron Man competitions. 

Hugh refers to himself as a weekend warrior, enjoys off-road motorbiking, mountain biking, golf, trips to the Transkei and spending time on the beach. He is a brown belt Karateka, a past-President of the Shelly Beach Rotary Club and is a member of the Norwegian Settlers Church.

Desiree Govender CA(SA), RA
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Desiree matriculated from Port Shepstone Secondary School in 2002 to pursue a career as a Chartered Accountant. She completed her degree at Varsity College and graduated in 2006. Coming from humble beginnings and having strong family ties on the South Coast of KZN, she was excited to secure a SAICA training contract with Hugh Strickland & Company in 2006.

Desiree completed the UNISA CTA programme whilst working full-time, which was challenging but a testament to her determination and commitment, Desiree qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2014. She grew within the firm and progressed from audit manager to Partner in 2016. She is now an accredited SAICA assessor and administers the firm's SAICA training programme.

Desiree is married and values spending time with her family and friends. Some of her many interests include travel, adventure and trying new experiences. She is a strong-minded financial professional and is ever-willing to assist the firm and its clients.

Hugh Strickland CA(SA), RA
web_portrait_hs-4685328

Hugh was born and raised in Johannesburg and was educated at King Edward VII School. He studied and got his degree through UNISA and then completed honours at Natal University. He completed his training articles in Johannesbrug before moving to Margate in 1994. After writing the board exam he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1999 and registered as an auditor in 2000.

Hugh is married to Deidre, and has two grown-up children. He loves spending time with his family and friends, spending time outdoors and being involved in sport. He has completed several Comrades Marathons, Duzi Canoe Marathons, Midmar Miles and two Half Iron Man competitions. 

Hugh refers to himself as a weekend warrior, enjoys off-road motorbiking, mountain biking, golf, trips to the Transkei and spending time on the beach. He is a brown belt Karateka, a past-President of the Shelly Beach Rotary Club and is a member of the Norwegian Settlers Church.

Desiree Govender CA(SA), RA
web_portrait_dg-4685327

Desiree matriculated from Port Shepstone Secondary School in 2002 to pursue a career as a Chartered Accountant. She completed her degree at Varsity College and graduated in 2006. Coming from humble beginnings and having strong family ties on the South Coast of KZN, she was excited to secure a SAICA training contract with Hugh Strickland & Company in 2006.

Desiree completed the UNISA CTA programme whilst working full-time, which was challenging but a testament to her determination and commitment, Desiree qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2014. She grew within the firm and progressed from audit manager to Partner in 2016. She is now an accredited SAICA assessor and administers the firm's SAICA training programme.

Desiree is married and values spending time with her family and friends. Some of her many interests include travel, adventure and trying new experiences. She is a strong-minded financial professional and is ever-willing to assist the firm and its clients.

Meet our Team!

At Hugh Strickland & Company we are fortunate to have a young and dynamic team of accountants, auditors and tax practitioners. We aim to assist our clients with all aspects of financial services. Our team’s goal is to see our clients grow and prosper. We strive to make this possible through professional service and advice. We also offer SAICA approved traineeships and regularly welcome trainees into our programme.

Meet our Team!

At Hugh Strickland & Company we are fortunate to have a young and dynamic team of accountants, auditors and tax practitioners. We aim to assist our clients with all aspects of financial services. Our team’s goal is to see our clients grow and prosper. We strive to make this possible through professional service and advice. We also offer SAICA approved traineeships and regularly welcome trainees into our programme.

For professional accounting, auditing or tax services choose the best in the business…

For professional accounting, auditing or tax services choose the best in the business…