Working at Van Oers

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Veerle Vanlaerhoven started working at Van Oers Accountancy & Advies in 2020 as a work student tax. After she completed her Master Fiscal Economics in 2022, she decided to continue working full-time at Van Oers as a Junior Tax Advisor. What made her choose Van Oers and how does she experience working at Van Oers? We talked to her.

Difficult choices

Choosing the right education doesn’t happen overnight, as Veerle found out. In high school she already had a strong preference for subjects such as Economics and Management & Organization. On the other hand, she was also interested in Law. In her fifth year of high school, she went to the open day at Tilburg University to look for an education in which she could combine these interests. Veerle: “I found the Business Economics program a bit too economic and the Law program a bit too static. Fiscal Economics was a nice balance of both and that’s actually how I ended up with the Fiscal Economics program.’

Fortunately, she found the choice for a work-study at Van Oers somewhat easier. On this she says, ‘I myself was born and raised in the region where Van Oers is located. Therefore, I was familiar with the company from childhood. During my studies, I also participated several times in the formal and informal activities of study association De Smeetskring, where Van Oers was also often present. When Van Oers employees then talked about the atmosphere within Van Oers, this immediately appealed to me. In addition, Van Oers has a nice and diverse client portfolio where the work is diverse and there is a lot to learn. That made me apply.’

A good balance

‘Brabant sociability is a term we often use at the office to describe the atmosphere. We work hard, but at the same time there is also plenty of room for a nice chat, a Friday afternoon drink, a good party or a sporting activity.’ She also names the close involvement with the customer and among each other as a big plus: ‘Even as a Junior, you are quickly given responsibility and are immediately a full member of the team. You get many opportunities and there is always someone ready to help. At Van Oers you are not a number and that makes Van Oers as an employer special to me.’

Sticking around

After her Master’s, Veerle didn’t feel the need to look elsewhere. She feels right at home at Van Oers and gets plenty of opportunities. She is currently taking her NOB training and will soon start the Personal Development program. This allows her to continue to grow both professionally and personally.

Is she planning to look elsewhere any time soon? Absolutely not. Veerle sees herself working at Van Oers for some time to come and hopes to make great strides: ‘I hope to be able to trade in the Junior position for the next step. I also hope to be able to develop myself even more in the tax world in order to help clients even better.’

Peaks and troughs

Growth and development naturally comes with peaks and valleys. On this she says: ‘Fortunately, at Van Oers there is also room to make mistakes, as long as you are alert to them and come up with solutions. Besides, the highs win out over the low days.’ She finds it difficult to choose her favourite moment at Van Oers, but she does list a few: ‘the tax outings, the big Van Oers party, my first day as a tax graduate and receiving my first salary.

Advice for students

As her final advice to students, Veerle has, ‘Especially the atmosphere and the click you feel with a company is very important. The work or the customers at different companies are not going to make the difference. If the atmosphere is not good, you will also go to work with less pleasure. I also recommend that students do a work-study or internship in addition to studying to get a feel for the business world. But above all … still enjoy your student time!