Hoe heb je besloten accountant te worden? Was er een doorslaggevend moment?
“As a sixteen year old wild child in Cape Town, South Africa, I used to race to school on my motorbike. I was always busy with sports and in class I could not sit still. Maybe that is why miss Jordaan from accounting class told me I would never be an accountant, despite my good grades. As I like to take on challenges, and accounting was my best subject, this remark sparked my intention to prove her wrong.”

Hoe is het voor jou om de beroepseed af te leggen?
“Seven years ago, as a South African who moved to the Netherlands, there was so much to learn. Everything was new and things that are taken for granted in my home country had to be re-learnt, from learning to cycle on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, to navigating through the Dutch Civil Codes and endless Dutch accounting rules. The completion of the Registered Accountant and the registration with the NBA came at exactly the same time I obtained my Dutch passport. Therefore, for me this signifies a moment when everything has finally come together. Now is the moment I will take a deep breath and proudly march forward as a Dutch Registered Accountant.

For me to achieve this RA qualification and to take this oath is like receiving a superhero shield, and as I step into the arena I know it will protect me, and those whom I serve, with the greatest amount of knowledge and power - perhaps I am no Captain America, but I feel like a superhero, Captain Accounting!”

Waar werk je en wat is je functie daar?
“I came to the Netherlands seven years ago and have worked at KPMG ever since. I am grateful for the opportunity they have provided me, and the patience and guidance towards my development. It is a super firm, where people are the priority.

Initially I worked within the innovation team, where continuous improvement ideas within audit and quality was the goal. Thereafter and currently, I work as a senior manager within the international business support department. Here I assist local and international companies with various business support services (accounting and other).”

Wat maakt het bijzonder om daar te werken?
“Working at KPMG is like working with the world but from one office. There are countless nationalities amongst the colleagues and clients. The cultural diversity and various backgrounds and businesses keeps it fresh, making the work and work place exciting and relevant.”

Heb je een specialisatie of zijn er thema’s waar je je bijzonder in interesseert?
“After the Chartered Accountant study in South Africa, I undertook a further specialism in Forensic and Investigative Accounting and Auditing. For a few years I worked in this field both in South Africa and Papua New Guinea with the intention to help third world countries towards more accountability fair society. Unfortunately my hard work did not lead to the change I desired. I then decided to pursue a new challenge within a more international environment and now am an accounting and advisory expert.”

Wat zie je jezelf over tien jaar doen?
“Doing what I do best… and crunch numbers. But otherwise, I will strive to always live and work as if I am a piece of clay, to remain grounded and flexible while contributing towards constant learning, growing, and making a difference in the lives of others.

I wish to guide other foreigners with adapting to the Netherlands, and potential students who wish to also pursue the conversion to Dutch Registered Accountant - lead by change, inspire through actions and enjoy every moment.”