From trainee to partner: Wihann's international rise to the top
From trainee to partner: Wihann's rise to the top
Wihann Rabe
Partner and Director of Mazars Academy
Mazars in South Africa
Progressing from Trainee to Partner
Tell us about your journey at Mazars
I joined Mazars as an undergraduate Trainee Accountant in February 2009, and after completing my contract, I stayed at the firm and moved up through the ranks over the years. I worked in Paris temporarily in 2015, was promoted to Senior Audit Manager in September 2017 and then Director in 2019 to oversee the operations of our Mazars Academy. In 2020, I founded a new start-up for Mazars in South Africa called ‘Upskill Studios (Pty) Ltd’, where we offer lifelong learning on technical and professional skills content for continual professional development. Beyond my typical day-to-day job, I also lead on innovation at Mazars in South Africa as the Chairman of the Mazars Innovation Steering Committee. In this role, I work closely with the Mazars Executive Committee to deploy strategic innovation projects across the firm. Recently, in 2022, I was promoted to Audit Partner and am now responsible for a portfolio of audit clients.
What is the key to such progression?
It’s essential to have a passion for what you do and your associated brand. In my case, I love the Mazars brand and I love what I do. Mazars has allowed me to explore various areas of the business, and I got involved in multiple aspects of what we do as a firm, not just audit.
It’s clear you are proactive and demonstrate added value. How did Mazars support you in your professional growth?
During a significant part of my time at Mazars, I was studying while working. Fortunately, Mazars granted sufficient study leave for me to prepare for exams and assignments, including the recent course I just took at the University of Cape Town. I have also been supported by the firm’s leadership programmes, which have contributed to my professional growth.
What have been some of the highlights of your career at Mazars?
While I have had many highlights to look back on throughout my career at Mazars, I believe the ultimate goal for someone in this profession is to become a partner, which I am proud to have achieved. However, I have also been named one of SAICA's Top 35 under 35 finalists[1] in 2017, which was a top highlight for me. I also find it extremely rewarding to see the individuals around me grow, and I try to support them in achieving their dreams and goals.
Expanding horizons through a secondment in Paris
Tell us about your experience in our Paris office
I was lucky to have the opportunity to work in Paris for two months and gain true international experience. I think the term ‘international experience’ can be misused by recruiters referring to work with international clients, but for me, it’s beyond this. It’s about integrating within the culture, the work ethic and the interactions between people in a country that is not native to you.
In Paris, I got to experience the metro, watch a football game at the ‘Stade de France’, and work first-hand with people whose first language is not English. I believe the sum of this entire experience has been incredibly valuable to my personal and corporate life. I still think about the insightful knowledge I gained, most notably in the supply chain of the luxury industry, which was a project I worked on in Paris, doing research for a publication in that sector.
The overall experience contributed to my growth and ability to adapt to unknown circumstances.
Leading the Innovation steering committee
Could you share more about the Innovation steering committee and your leadership role?
I am Chairman of the Innovation steering committee of Mazars in South Africa, which is comprised of seven partners across South Africa who are passionate about innovation and moving our business into the future. We oversee the strategic direction of technology and innovation under the mandate of our national executive committee. We are responsible for researching, developing and deploying technology and innovative tools to create efficiencies across our practice, benefitting our clients and people alike. Our approach is two-fold: looking at practice management as well as client service delivery improvements through the use of technology and innovation. I also have regular check-ins with my colleagues from across the globe on innovation.
Why is innovation so important at Mazars?
When you do not innovate, you fall behind, and before you know it, you can’t provide services to your clients in a competitive market. There is always an alternative way to do something; and sometimes, that alternative way could be better, more efficient and reliable. If we do not explore the boundaries of what is possible, we will not understand or know of alternative ways to unlock tangible results. We can't create more time, but we can develop tools and new ways to do things that will allow us to do more within the 24 hours that we have and, thus, grow our business. With innovation and proper development, testing and implementation, we can enhance the quality of our deliverables over time.
What have been some of the biggest achievements concerning innovation at Mazars South Africa?
I wish you could ask me this question in 12 months. As the innovation structures we have been working on are relatively new in South Africa, they are in the early stages of executing our mandate. We have spent a lot of time setting up these structures and formalising processes to foster a culture of innovation, but it will take some time to see the results. We developed an innovation journey that will allow all staff to be part of innovation efforts. We are in the final stages of formalising a technology and innovation department with a dedicated team focusing on innovation.
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[1] Top 35-under-35 is a competition that celebrates people who always strive to stand out from the crowd, be exceptional and push themselves in pursuit of excellence.