With his infectious ambition, Manuèl is helping the International team move forward. He manages to connect with people across the world, and soon he even wants to expand his network to Asia! This same attitude is also driving him on in his hobby: music. Interested to discover how he finds space for development at Visser & Visser? Read on to find out!
Manuèl works as a Mid-Level Tax Advisor in the International team. What does that involve? “I advise companies on all kinds of tax-related matters”, he begins. “Tax issues that come into play if you want to trade in other countries, all around the world. And the other way round too, if a foreign company wants to know how things work in the Netherlands, such as transfer tax on real-estate transactions or the VAT consequences of international trade. The issues are varied.”
Building trust
Manuèl’s job has a social side to it. “I spend a lot of time talking to international clients. Mostly via a screen, but sometimes I also get to go abroad myself. Once or twice a year I attend international conferences organized by PrimeGlobal, which we are affiliated to”, he explains. “During breakout sessions you can catch up on important international developments in the area of tax and learn from each other how these things are being implemented in different countries.”
In between times, there are opportunities to network. He explains: “During coffee breaks, outings and dinners, the conversation quickly turns to more personal matters, so you build a connection with other people in your specialist field. Then, if you need help at some point with a specialist issue you’re working on for a client, you know who you can approach with that.”
On song
Before joining Visser & Visser, Manuèl gathered experience at other firms. “For me, the biggest difference compared with a Big Four firm is that you establish contact with clients yourself more at Visser & Visser. There is also more variety in the work I do. I am very busy across a wide range of tax-related matters. That means you also see more of the different possibilities. Essentially, you often work on your own as a tax advisor, but I find working with Juniors creates the opportunity for teamwork. They research things for me and I supplement their findings with my observations. Everyone makes a contribution to the end product. In this way we come up with a sound and comprehensive answer for a client together.”
“In every collaboration, you need to hit the right note. It’s the only way to make sure everyone’s in tune.”
For Manuèl it comes naturally to do this in English. That also helps him with his hobby, as he writes music with English lyrics. “It’s something I kind of drifted into. First I bought a keyboard, then I took piano lessons and, from there, I went on to take guitar lessons. When my guitar teacher took me along to gigs, I also started singing. It was extremely nerve-racking, but I wanted to learn! I still sing in groups, but now I do it in church.” And is he already working on the next step? “Of course!”, he laughs. “Recently I started writing and producing my own music. It’s only in the development phase at the moment, though. I find it pretty challenging, but I enjoy it.”
On tour to Asia
In his work too Manuèl does not shy away from things that are difficult. “When I come across a subject area that I find interesting, I immediately look at how I can develop further in that area. I am also given the space to do so”, he says. “At the moment I’m working on acquiring more in-depth knowledge of transfer pricing. I’m taking training courses on this subject and I’m trying to really learn more about it in practice when I’m working with clients. That’s how you develop the fastest.”
It is clear that Manuèl has always been busy working on the next step in his development, but what are his plans for the future? “In September I’ll be starting my fifth year of learning Mandarin Chinese. By the time I’m around forty, I want to start putting my knowledge of this language to use. This will enable us to reach an entirely new market. Next year, I’ll already be making a trip to Asia to make contact with fellow accountants and businesses there. Mandarin is the most spoken language in the world and the global economy is slowly shifting towards Asia. This is something you need to respond to. And I’m getting the chance to do just that!”
