Members’ Profile: Louis Klopper
Members’ Profile: Louis Klopper
In this edition of our CFO Spotlight series, we feature Louis Klopper, a seasoned Turnaround Management Specialist and CFO (SA) at Coronado Consulting Group. With over three decades of experience across corporate banking, business rescue, and strategic financial management, Louis has become a trusted figure in the world of distressed business recovery and operational restructuring. An advocate of lifelong learning, Louis holds a BCom Honours and continues to mentor the next generation of turnaround specialists. He is deeply passionate about helping businesses move from crisis to confidence, and his personal mantra—“What is your plan B?”—speaks to his readiness to find solutions under pressure. Beyond finance, Louis is a puzzle enthusiast, history buff, and keen traveller who enjoys visiting historical battle sites and exploring diverse cultures. Whether walking at sunrise, sharing strategy lessons from Sun Tzu, or mentoring professionals on their path to CFO, Louis brings rigour, curiosity, and calm resolve to everything he does. Read on to discover Louis’s leadership lessons, career-defining moments, and advice for aspiring CFO’s navigating today’s uncertain business environment.Louis Klopper CFO (SA) at Coronado Consulting Group
- Turnaround Management Specialist 2002 – Present
- Senior Business Rescue Practitioner 2011 – Present
- Coronado Consulting Group 23 years CFO (SA) 2016 – Present
Previously:
- Africa Absa Bank Area Manager 1983 – 2002
Qualifications:
- University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) Honours, Business Administration and Management, General · (1990 – 1998)
Country of Residence:
- South Africa
Visit Louis's LinkedIn Page
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
Anytime between 5 and 6am, depending on sunrise
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
Some exercise, usually a 30 minute walk, shower and breakfast
What sparked your interest in finance?
My amazing Accounting school teacher. Later in my career, I realised Accounting and Finance are global languages
Can you share some career highlights and defining moments?
Quite a few. The most rewarding is watching previously distressed companies thrive after successful turnarounds and restructuring. Their new energy, drive and enthusiasm is contagious. Every new challenge is exciting as there is no one size fits all. Every challenge requires a unique solution.
How do you handle professional challenges?
Take charge and be solutions-driven.
Applying creative solutions from diverse disciplines to achieve a desired outcome.
My favourite fallback is military strategy, all the way back to Sun Tzu. There are amazing synergies between military and business strategy and incredibly useful lessons to be learned and applied from both military successes and disasters.
What future goals are you excited about?
Mentoring turnaround management practitioners and specialists
Have you had any international or different cultural experiences in your career?
Indeed many. During my corporate banking career, it was often necessary to interact with different jurisdictions, cultures and languages. One had to learn and adapt fast or risk losing a valuable client.
What key skills should a newly qualified accountant develop on their path to becoming a CFO?
Effective interpretation of financial statements
Application of ever evolving technology
Experience different industries
How do you balance your personal and professional life?
It’s all about priorities
What are your interests outside of work?
Golf, travelling and experiencing new countries, cultures and food. Visiting famous battle sites.
How do you contribute to the development of others in your field?
Mentoring
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be a CFO?
Acquire a solid academic foundation followed by serious work experience in preferably different industries and locations
Life-long learning
Be a good listener
Strategic thinking
Be assertive
Be creative
What’s your favourite quote or mantra?
“What is your plan B?”
Share your favourite leadership lesson.
5 Why’s. You were created with 2 ears, 2 eyes and only 1 mouth, use them accordingly.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your business bio?
I love solving puzzles, anything from Sudoku, crosswords, you name it, to keep the mind sharp and very relaxing
What’s your favourite non-business app on your phone?
WhatsApp and Kindle
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
Play to your strengths and be able to communicate in all languages
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
Get up, stretch, hydrate and walk around your workspace or outside to refresh your thoughts
If you could relive one day from your professional career, which day would it be and why?
The day I was appointed in my first managerial position. Up to that point the marketing philosophy was “any business is good business”. Having analysed the company’s profitability criteria, I was able to change the corporate philosophy toward targeted marketing activities focussed on profitability rather than volume, with exceptional results. Ultimately it allowed more quality time with customers and consequently dramatic increase in customer satisfaction.
If you’re a CFO Club Africa member and would like to share your journey, we invite you to be featured in our series
Not a member yet? Join the CFO Club Africa community to connect with fellow finance leaders and access exclusive opportunities
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