In 2016, Rogier joined PwC as a tax trainee without a tax background. Recently, he became manager and is now involved in mergers, acquisitions, and deals. "When it comes to tax related client issues, the answer is never black and white, similarly to my study in political sciences."
Political pcientist in the business world
‘My study in political sciences was very interesting, but it is not a profession. Job vacancies never mention, 'We are looking for a political scientist.' During graduation, my professor jokingly said that political sciences is a study in general education. Indeed, you learn critical thinking, good writing, debating, and reflecting. In my search for a job, I saw a recruitment video of PwC on LinkedIn. It addressed master's students from various fields of study, saying 'You don’t have a tax background, but you do enjoy working on client issues in which the answer is never black and white?'. I thought that was witty because political science is the study of grey area, it can go either way. In fact, as a graduate in political science, my only association with PwC was formed by their sponsorship of the Dutch national soccer team, not as an employer with positions in tax practice. Not being a tax specialist, PwC was a leap into the unknown for me. But each single day, I am still super happy to work here. I always knew that I wanted to do something in business. For me this world had an ideal image. My father always went to the office in a suit and with a briefcase. As a child, I romanticised it a bit. I thought it was all very cool. In a way, my father has been my inspiration."
Experimenting with New Tech
'ChatPwC is still in the early stages of development, but we are actively experimenting with it. It would be great if it could eventually be fully applied to, for example, tax proposals. ChatPwC can make such complex documents easier to read for a client. I think it is important to approach new technology with playfulness, so that people become excited and accustomed to it. Among colleagues, new tech is definitely a hot topic. We mainly discuss the long-term implications. The uncertainty in the workplace about whether jobs will still exist in five years, for example, is justified in my opinion. Perhaps the roles will have changed, but the same people will be working in a different setting. I am personally quite optimistic, especially regarding the development of writing assistants. They will take over certain note-taking tasks within a relatively short period of time. However, understanding a client on an emotional level is something that, in my opinion, these writing assistants will never be able to do perfect. My profession involves understanding and interpreting the law. Technology can never convey that information to the client in a human way. This means that students at university, in addition to tech skills, should also learn other things. So that in their first job, they know how to turn a computer-generated memo into a client story.'
'ChatPwC can make complex tax proposals easier to read for the client.'
Rogier Habets - Manager Indirect Tax (Deals) at PwC