The appointment of Véronique Pipoz as Chief Operating Officer (COO) marks a new stage in the Group's development.

A qualified chartered accountant since 2007, Véronique joined the Group three years ago in the Consulting department. Her experience in audit, finance, and governance today gives her a cross-functional understanding of the Group's challenges.

In this interview, she shares her vision, her priorities and her approach to this new strategic role.

Discover their portrait through these few questions:

Could you tell us about your journey at Berney Associés and your evolution into the COO role?

I joined Berney Associés about three years ago with a clear objective: to oversee the integration of three fiduciary companies within the canton of Vaud. This specifically involved creating a common working dynamic between the teams and managing their regrouping within the building we now occupy.

In parallel, I also worked to develop Berney Associés' visibility in the canton of Vaud, as the group has historically been more recognised in Geneva.

Alongside these duties, I joined the Consulting department, where I worked with clients from a wide range of backgrounds. I also quickly became involved in several internal cross-functional projects, which naturally led to my progression into the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO).

What prompted you to accept this role? Does this development seem like a logical next step in your career at the company?

My career path is a little different from others, as I first worked in auditing for seven years. I then left that world to join companies, where I held financial positions, notably as Compliance Officer and Financial Director. I then returned to the fiduciary world by joining Berney Associés. This allows me today to have a dual perspective, both from the client's side and the internal side.

Berney Associés is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. It is a very fine company, with a great journey and a rich history, but one that today faces completely different challenges. Employee expectations have also evolved significantly compared to when the company had around fifty people. In this context, we have decided this year to review our five-year strategy and identify the key and priority projects that will enable us to reach our vision by 2030.

Someone was needed to steer these strategic projects, which concern our clients, through the development of new services, as well as our employees, their well-being and innovation, which plays a very important role in accountancy firms today. The fact that I am already involved in many internal projects, and that it's something I enjoy enormously, as contributing to the company's growth in the right direction is something that resonates with me and is important to me, meant that this COO role came about quite naturally.

What will be your objectives or priorities as COO? 

My priority as COO is to support the implementation of the new five-year strategy, particularly through identifying and managing priority projects, while maintaining the DNA of Berney Associés, which is the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation.

What's changed in your day-to-day life since you became COO?

I feel like I've been COO for months, because ultimately I've been involved in different projects for a long time now, whether on tools or strategic thinking.

But, overall, what's changing the most is taking the time to discuss things with my colleagues, to think about the evolution of the profession, the evolution of tools, and to ask ourselves where we want to be in five years.

I am also very lucky, because my colleagues help me enormously on these subjects. This is where you can really see that internally, we have this spirit of enterprise and solidarity.

You still retain some of your advisory positions: how do you manage this balance with your new role?

I think you'll have to ask me that question again in a few months. For the moment, I'm more in a phase of reflection and adjustment. Of course, I haven't forgotten my clients, whom I love dearly and continue to serve, but I'm also trying to find time internally to move forward with projects and, especially, the important milestones of the coming year.

What advice would you give to someone who wishes to progress internally or take on more responsibility? 

The advantage at Berney Associés is that there is room. We always have room for willing individuals, for those who want to move things forward. There is a very strong entrepreneurial spirit, so if someone has an idea, a project, or a desire, the door is always open to come and discuss it and for us to provide the right conditions to achieve it.