We never stop moving forward

He is only 26 years old, but he has already achieved a lot at PwC. Dzmitry Kazak joined the company six years ago as an intern while studying at the Prague University of Economics and Business, and today he is an audit manager. As if that weren’t enough, he also leads the local basketball team and has organised an international championship. “Whatever I do, I always devote time to personal growth,” he says. 

You are one of the youngest audit managers in the company’s history. What is your recipe for rapid career advancement?

Timing definitely played a role. Three years of internships gave me a solid foundation, which I had already been building at school. After a while, I began to develop a reputation as a reliable person who was willing to take on more complicated tasks. In the last year of my internship, I even managed to complete one contract, which was an opportunity that significantly accelerated my further advancement.

So, what would you recommend to people who want to follow in your footsteps?

First and foremost, get noticed by others and help out wherever you can. For example, by helping to organise events, whether at university or here. You can also get involved in the junior leadership programme, which is very helpful. Personally, I have always been very proactive and said that, if possible, I want to try more complex areas of work.

Did the approach of more experienced colleagues help you?

Of course, that’s fundamental. I think that’s what we build on in auditing. We always say that it’s best to have colleagues around who can ask anything. Then we help them as much as we can. I try to do that myself. I currently have two seniors under me, one new associate in the A2 position, and two interns whom I coach and mentor.

How difficult was it for you to transition to a managerial position? 

I would say that the change wasn’t that noticeable for me because I prepared for it thoroughly. There is quite a step between a senior and a manager, but between them there is the position of junior or assistant manager, where you build your portfolio on the simplest jobs and have maybe two or three people on your team. I was already very active at this stage and was building my portfolio. Last year, I even had the most managerial jobs as a junior manager. In my new position, however, the projects are more complex and the team consists of at least five members.

Most of your colleagues praise the diversity of the work. Do you feel the same way?

Absolutely. Mainly in terms of projects where I learn how business works in different areas. Right now, for instance, I have the largest car dealership in the Czech Republic as a client, but also an automotive manufacturer and a giant private equity fund. I also see the diversity in the team, which is constantly changing. This allows me to pass on my experience and knowledge to different people and, in turn, learn from their approaches and ideas. The whole thing is incredibly dynamic. We never stop moving forward, and in addition to our audit work, we have lots of other activities, including training younger colleagues, which I really enjoy.

You were also there during the formation of the PwC basketball team. What led you to that?

Basketball has been a long-time passion of mine. I’ve been playing since I was twelve, and it’s still the best way for me to clear my mind and focus solely on the game. At PwC, we have our own team, which was formed after the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to internal support for sports activities. I am the last one left from the original group that started it, and I am currently in charge of recruiting new players and managing training sessions and the entire group of players. We have about thirty members, and every week there are about ten to fifteen of us at training, which is ideal for keeping up the pace and having fun.

You have even organised an international championship in Prague. Was that another challenge for you?

That’s true. There is an international PwC basketball group that includes many countries, and a tournament is organised for everyone on a yearly basis. In 2024, I felt a little crazy (laughs) and signed up to host the championship here. In the end, we were actually given the task, and it was very successful; everyone was satisfied. It was quite a big event – including us, there were eleven countries, so organising everything successfully, including accommodation and other things, was really challenging. But if the opportunity arose, I would do it again, and I would be significantly more informed in many areas (laughs).

Would you find any connection between playing basketball and your work ethic?

In my case, these are very much related. As a results-oriented person, I want winning to be important for the whole team, even if we’re just playing for fun. It’s the same at work: when we have a project, a budget, or a schedule, I take it very seriously, and we work together to achieve the goal. That’s probably why I am where I am today. Whether it’s basketball or auditing, I always devote time to personal growth and improvement.

So, I guess even after your promotion, you’re still thinking about where to go next?

That’s right. The promotion was my dream goal, which I achieved, and then I figured out what my new position was all about. Now I’m standing on the edge of a minor precipice, thinking about what to do next. What other experience I can get at PwC. I’m thinking about travelling, for example, or a more complex project or business development. In any case, I’ve decided to take a break in the new year to absorb everything, write down my options and opportunities, and then decide what to do next.