EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.
Office
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Jan van der Geest supports companies in transaction projects and answers all their questions on the topic, whether they are about company valuation or drawing up contracts.
He studied Business Administration at Nyenrode Business University, followed by Business Economics at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, and a CA postdoctorate at the same university. He has been working at EY since 1986, two years of which were spent as a CPA in America.
“I find human behavior to be important. Because you’ve got to be sincere in a transaction, with as little playing around as possible. What’s leading an entrepreneur to sell part of the company, for example? Is their motivation purely financial? Or is continuity the most important thing, and for their staff too? The motives determine the dynamics around the transaction. I’m honest about that myself too. I give advice, but also my opinion - I take a stance. I’ve noticed that clients appreciate this clarity.”
How Jan is building a better working world
“I was also an accountant for thirteen years. It’s a good field, in which I was also the trusted business advisor to medium-sized companies. In my experience, you play a more limited role in larger organizations. You always make a contribution to transaction projects. Your advice has a direct impact on the result, and the future of the company. Clients really see you as the specialist and are pleased with your help.”