
January 23, 2025
Building Bridges
GGU recently welcomed its Bridge Society, a distinguished group of sustaining supporters, to an intimate luncheon celebrating their impact on the university’s continued success.
Published
December 18th, 2024
Category
Alumni & Giving
Like many people looking for a better life in the United States, when Chris Frederiksen arrived in California from Bristol, England, he came with only a few dollars. But what he lacked in tangible resources, he made up for with a surplus of ambition and resilience. Decades later, his name is synonymous with excellence in accounting and mentorship, his firm recognized as one of the Bay Area’s premier accounting practices. Recently listed by Forbes among America’s top 200 CPAs, Frederiksen has spent his career transforming the field and inspiring other CPAs. Frederiksen’s American story started at UC Berkeley, but its impersonal lectures and huge class sizes didn’t provide an optimal learning environment. A friend’s suggestion led him to Golden Gate University, where his encounter with a warm, engaged registrar and faculty with real-world insights changed his life.
“At GGU, my professors weren’t just teaching; they were shaping careers with practical, real-world knowledge,” Frederiksen reflects. “That experience was invaluable when I launched my own firm with several other GGU alums.”
After graduating from GGU, Frederiksen passed the CPA exam with the highest score in the state and was awarded the John F. Forbes Gold Medal. Frederiksen wasted no time founding his practice. Over time, he became a trailblazer in CPA firm marketing, developing the acclaimed course How to Build a Million Dollar Practice. This was the first course to bring to the CPA profession a systematic, proven approach to marketing CPA services. Frederiksen has taught this seminar in ten different countries and almost every state. A visionary long before accounting evolved beyond the traditional, Frederiksen saw accountants as more than “bean counters.” “It’s about being a life coach, a business coach, and a strategic advisor,” he shares. “Helping business and their owners thrive has always been my mission.” This philosophy has influenced his current firm’s specialized focus on technology companies and international entrepreneurs. Notably, he’s been a champion of women-owned business, which he recognizes as essential and growing contributors to American entrepreneurship. In his firm, which he runs with his wife and partner, Tara Crawford, they have a no overtime policy (even during tax season), remote work options, and adjustable schedules with plenty of time off. A rarity in a profession known for long hours. “Happy team members make for happy clients,” he said with his signature smile. Frederiksen’s interests extend beyond business; he’s an avid fine art collector, quick to note the parallels between making art and being an entrepreneur.
“I collect only drawings because they capture the moment of inspiration,” he explains “Entrepreneurs, just like successful artists, need new ideas, talent, discipline, commitment, and self-belief.”
This commitment to excellence is seen in every detail, from premium client service to the bottle of wine he gifts to each client following an office visit, a personal touch that reinforces his belief in being different. As AI and technology are rapidly reshaping accounting, Frederiksen is optimistic about the future. He believes those advances will force CPAs to emphasize advisory services. He’s also a passionate advocate for fair compensation in the profession, emphasizing higher billing rates to attract and keep top talent. Frederiksen’s connection to GGU endures. He devoted many years over the course of his career to being a GGU lecturer, teaching beginning accounting, intermediate accounting, accounting systems, and accounting theory for CPA candidates. His favorite was one he designed, Legal and Accounting Aspects of Arts Administration.
“The foundation GGU provided was transformative.” he reflects. “It taught me not only technical skills but also strategic thinking and practical ways to help people achieve their dreams.”
As a leading voice in the accounting profession, Chris Frederiksen’s legacy is a testament to the power of education. His journey embodies the values the GGU instills in each of its students—a legacy of excellence, service, and impact.
Topic
Alumni Spotlight
Tags
Alumni, Success Story, Accounting
Share