Johan Conradie
Employee portrait
Johan Conradie
‘I was trained as a financial controller but mainly work on processes’
In the two years that financial controller Johan Conradie has worked at Witteveen+Bos, the South African has learned a lot about Europe, the Netherlands, and his employer. By mapping out various work processes, he contributes to increasing efficiency and quality.
Making genuine impact
‘I work in the Business Processes and IT group, part of the Finance department. When I left South Africa two years ago to work at Witteveen+Bos in the Netherlands, my main task was identifying how processes were organised. Processes are the central element of every company. I enjoy performing analyses to identify trends and reveal areas for improvement. My strength lies in recognising patterns, understanding how different elements are related to one another, and translating those insights into concrete improvements. My role also gives me the opportunity to collaborate in different teams, learn from colleagues, and make a genuine impact!’
Rugby in France
‘In the two years that I’ve worked at Witteveen+Bos, I’ve got to know the company well. I like the corporate culture here, and it says a lot that so many colleagues have worked here for a long time. The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) apply in South Africa as well as in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. So, in that respect, there aren’t many differences. My choice for the Netherlands had to do with its historical connection to South Africa and the South African language, which has many affinities with Dutch. I’m learning Dutch and speak it with my colleagues. Two years ago, I’d never been to Europe; now I regularly take European trips. Just after I’d started living in the Netherlands, I took the opportunity to attend the Rugby World Cup in France. Rugby has been a great passion of mine since I was young. It’s more than a sport: it brings people together and creates a sense of camaraderie.’
Combining process and figures
‘I hold the South African qualification Associate General Accountant (AGA), which means I have to keep my knowledge of the latest developments in finance and accounting up to date. I do this through continuing professional development – for example, by attending webinars, workshops and industry conferences. Sessions like these provide valuable insights into emerging trends, regulatory changes, and best practices. In the future, I’d like to combine my process expertise with deeper numerical analyses and working in teams on various projects. Above all, I’m attracted to the strategic side of improving processes: aligning structures with corporate objectives and stimulating continuous optimisation.’
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