Jochem Veltman joined PwC as a tax specialist and is now a partner, responsible for software development for the tax practice. "If you had told me that in 1996, I would never have believed it."
“I love working with people from totally different backgrounds and of all ages. At present, they are often programmers, both young and old. However, I also spent some time doing recruitment and then they were mainly students. I like to coach, and I always emphasize that your career is one big development. PwC is a big sweet shop in that respect: you can do anything and learn as much as you want, as long as you remain receptive, are flexible, and don't just see but also take advantage of opportunities.”
Exciting time
“I started in 1996 as a tax specialist in the middle market practice of PwC. After that, I started to focus more on multinationals, had an exciting time in London with mergers and acquisitions, and – after a few years at Shell – I returned to PwC, where I worked in the same department in the Netherlands. As the technology had taken off, there were more and more possibilities to work in a different way. I was put in charge of developing digital solutions for our clients and our practice. If you'd told me that in 1996, I wouldn't have believed it.”
"PwC is a big sweet shop"
Stage of life
“My experience is that even if you make clear-cut plans, things often turn out differently. The stage of life in which you find yourself also plays a role. For years, I was happy to spend the night making a deal. Since I've had a family, I've been guarding my free time. I love going to watch football with my sons, and enjoy the conversations I have with them.”
Architects
“What I'm doing now is far more tangible than giving advice. With every new project, we feel like architects who are going to build a new city. How do we connect the tax world with the latest technology? And who do we need to do so? It's always an exciting challenge. As with your own development, being receptive and looking beyond yourself are essential."
