The further growth of Grant Thornton Belgium, the advisor with expertise in audit, accountancy, tax & legal and business advice, continues. Gregory Desmet (38) has worked at Grant Thornton his entire career and is now joining the partners. This makes him the youngest partner at Grant Thornton. His appointment brings the total number of partners within the organisation to 25.
The full trajectory
Desmet completed his Applied Economic Sciences studies at the Free University of Brussels (VUB), with a specialisation in 'Advanced Audit & Accounting'. In 2008, he started as a junior auditor at Grant Thornton. Since then, he has risen through the ranks, becoming an Audit Director in 2020 and now a partner in the Audit & Assurance department. Desmet has been a certified auditor since 2018 and has also actively taken on the role of statutory auditor in various companies. More recently, he also gave guest lectures at the VUB on the audit profession.
He has experience in auditing and reporting on both national and international companies and groups. Desmet has built up a broad knowledge of international auditing standards, accounting standards, financial processes and the concept of risk-based auditing. Moreover, he has an extensive knowledge of internal control measures as well as all aspects of (international) financial reporting.
Threefold focus
In addition to his work for clients, he will also contribute to the further growth of the audit service line. "My focus is mainly on 3 areas: the further expansion and sustainable growth of our service line, guaranteeing absolute top quality service and optimising the experience that our clients have during our consultancy," says Desmet. "These three priorities are only possible thanks to the enormous efforts that our people make every day. For me, it is all about providing them with an environment and culture in which they feel good and can develop at their own pace. Only in such an environment can they develop their full potential. I see it as my task to keep them maximally involved and challenged, also in the hybrid work culture that has been established here in the meantime."
Commitment will be rewarded
Ria Verheyen, Managing Partner Grant Thornton Belgium, concludes: "It is and remains our ambition to provide clear solutions to our clients and to ensure that - in these ever-changing times - they have a clear view of all the risks and opportunities within their specific business reality. We want to reward colleagues, like Gregory, who help tackle the challenges of the moment for their commitment." Verheyen adds: "As an organisation, we promise our people that they can continue to develop continuously. We want to coach and challenge those who join us at a young age, in an environment where they are trusted and can be themselves. In this way, we create the culture in which they can discover their own path from day one and grow organically."
Press Release
Gregory Desmet to be Grant Thornton's youngest partner
20 Mar 2022
Grant Thornton Belgium now has 25 partners
The further growth of Grant Thornton Belgium, the advisor with expertise in audit, accountancy, tax & legal and business advice, continues. Gregory Desmet (38) has worked at Grant Thornton his entire career and is now joining the partners. This makes him the youngest partner at Grant Thornton. His appointment brings the total number of partners within the organisation to 25.
The full trajectory
Desmet completed his Applied Economic Sciences studies at the Free University of Brussels (VUB), with a specialisation in 'Advanced Audit & Accounting'. In 2008, he started as a junior auditor at Grant Thornton. Since then, he has risen through the ranks, becoming an Audit Director in 2020 and now a partner in the Audit & Assurance department. Desmet has been a certified auditor since 2018 and has also actively taken on the role of statutory auditor in various companies. More recently, he also gave guest lectures at the VUB on the audit profession.
He has experience in auditing and reporting on both national and international companies and groups. Desmet has built up a broad knowledge of international auditing standards, accounting standards, financial processes and the concept of risk-based auditing. Moreover, he has an extensive knowledge of internal control measures as well as all aspects of (international) financial reporting.
Threefold focus
In addition to his work for clients, he will also contribute to the further growth of the audit service line. "My focus is mainly on 3 areas: the further expansion and sustainable growth of our service line, guaranteeing absolute top quality service and optimising the experience that our clients have during our consultancy," says Desmet. "These three priorities are only possible thanks to the enormous efforts that our people make every day. For me, it is all about providing them with an environment and culture in which they feel good and can develop at their own pace. Only in such an environment can they develop their full potential. I see it as my task to keep them maximally involved and challenged, also in the hybrid work culture that has been established here in the meantime."
Commitment will be rewarded
Ria Verheyen, Managing Partner Grant Thornton Belgium, concludes: "It is and remains our ambition to provide clear solutions to our clients and to ensure that - in these ever-changing times - they have a clear view of all the risks and opportunities within their specific business reality. We want to reward colleagues, like Gregory, who help tackle the challenges of the moment for their commitment." Verheyen adds: "As an organisation, we promise our people that they can continue to develop continuously. We want to coach and challenge those who join us at a young age, in an environment where they are trusted and can be themselves. In this way, we create the culture in which they can discover their own path from day one and grow organically."