Full Name: Thinus van der Linde de Vries
Position: Audit partner and head of audit: Central Region at Mazars
Main Activity of the Company: Audit, accounting, tax and advisory services
Date and Place of Birth: October 3, 1988, Kimberley
Education: BAcc, University of the Free State, 2007 to 2009; BAcc (Hons) and CTA, 2010; registration as a CA(SA), 2013
First Job: Audit trainee
Career History Prior to Current Position: I completed my articles at KPMG in 2013 and continued my career at that firm, holding various management positions. In 2018, I joined Mazars as an audit partner and, since September 2020, I am part of Mazars’ International Partnership as a CARL partner
Size of First Pay Packet: R95 000 a year
First Job with Present Group: Audit partner
Value of Assets under Your Control: People are our most valuable asset and one cannot place a value on them
Number of People under Your Leadership: 45 people within the Central Audit department and, indirectly, 50 more people in different departments
Management Style: Leading by example and coaching people to bring out the best in them
Personal Best Achievement: Being named among the top ten BAcc students and the top student in auditing
Professional Best Achievement: Being appointed as an audit partner at the age of 29 and, since then, living my dream every day
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents and grandmother
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Too many to single out one individual
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Bill Gates
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Dr Christo Wiese
Philosophy of Life: Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being appointed as the head of audit in the Central Region at the age of 30
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Too many to single out one but, most recently, not being selected as a finalist for the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants’ Top-35-Under-35
Hope for the Future: That I have a positive impact/influence on others
Favourite Reading: Autobiographies and biographies
Favourite TV Programme: Any sport, especially rugby
Favourite Food/Drink: Medium-rear Wagyu steak/cream soda
Favourite Music: Typical Afrikaans Sokkie Treffers
Favourite Sport: Running (participating) and rugby (watching)
Favourite Website: Netwerk24
Hobbies: Running marathons (I was hoping for my first Comrades in 2020) and I am also busy with my private pilot licence
Car: BMW X1
Pets: A Pekingese dog called Neelsie
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Liars
Favourite Other South African Company: SuperSport
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple
Married: No, but I have a girlfriend, Anneri
Children: None
Clubs: Pentagon Pistols Running Club