“There’s a real sense of openness and the freedom to be yourself”

Jens Dumont has been climbing the ranks at Grant Thornton since September 2020 – from Junior Auditor to Senior Auditor and Audit Supervisor. He loves the variety in his job, the strong bond with his colleagues, and organizing fun activities for them as part of the Social Events Committee. And yes, sometimes those events involve zombies. The cocktail, not the brain-eating kind.

jensTM

Who is Jens Dumont?

  • Position: Supervisor cocktail king

  • Age: 28

  • Office: Ghent

  • Energy source: the strong bond with his colleagues

  • Hobbies: badminton, cars and mixing Mai Tai and zombie cocktails

How did you end up at Grant Thornton?

Jens: “Shortly after obtaining my master’s degree in Finance & Risk Management, COVID hit. Despite sending out countless applications, I wasn’t getting any responses. Initially, I wasn’t really drawn to audit roles, because my girlfriend was already in that field and I wanted to do something different. Silly, I know. Eventually, I did expand my search to audit roles, which led me to an interview at Grant Thornton with audit partners Gunther and Elie. I really enjoyed our conversation and the overall atmosphere. Everything clicked, and when they offered me the role, I was able to start on very short notice.”

What were your first weeks like at Grant Thornton?

Jens: “We had a ‘Starters’ Day’ with everyone who had joined that year, so you could really get to know your colleagues right away. The evening reception was a bit unusual – with masks, social distancing and mandatory COVID tests – but it was still a lot of fun. I started at the Ghent office with two other new hires, and I quickly built strong connections with them, both personally and professionally. They’ve since moved on to other opportunities, but we became good friends, and I still hear from them every week.”

“Your individuality and personal development are truly valued here.”
Jens Dumont Audit Supervisor, Grant Thornton

How would you describe your daily work life?

Jens: “No two days are the same, which keeps things interesting. We work in small teams with plenty of interaction with clients. While we work hard, there’s always room for laughter, and the team atmosphere is one of our biggest assets. We genuinely stick together, organize fun activities (I’ve already mixed cocktails for them!), and talk about literally everything. There’s a real sense of openness and the freedom to be yourself.”

What growth opportunities does Grant Thornton provide?

Jens: “Personal development is a priority here, with both mandatory and optional training opportunities for technical and soft skills. There’s plenty of freedom to shape your own learning path. For example, I take external IFRS courses every year and have done voluntary training in networking.”

“Each month, we also have an Audit Knowledge Meeting to deepen our expertise, plus Knowledge Cafés that cover broader topics. And once a year, the Go Beyond Academy brings all colleagues together for two days of learning and teambuilding across offices and service lines. This not only strengthens our internal connections but also helps us better support clients by referring them to the right Grant Thornton specialists.”

Why would you recommend joining Grant Thornton?

Jens: “We have a really interesting mix of clients, from small SMEs to international companies. Unlike larger firms that focus heavily on specialisation, we work on a dynamic variety of files across different industries. My top tip for newcomers: don’t be afraid to ask questions; everyone here is approachable and willing to help you. Most importantly, be yourself – your individuality and personal development are truly valued here.”

 

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