Portrait of: Jeroen Linnekamp
Meet our team: today a portrait of Jeroen Linnekamp
Not only because of his age but certainly thanks to his track record, senior tax specialist Jeroen Linnekamp has been one of the nestors at the Kuipers & Claassen office since the transfer of his own practice Linnekamp Belastingadviseurs at the end of 2022.
He is resolute about it: "I had a wonderful childhood. Raised with an evening-a-vent, morning-a-vent mentality, Jeroen enjoyed a free upbringing in a single-parent family. He speaks with admiration of his mother for whom it is not easy as a single person in her late 60s. Yet she runs a household where everyone is welcome, despite limited resources. It teaches Jeroen to put things into perspective.
After the usual years at elementary school, Jeroen "slippers" through successively mavo and havo. He discovered that his qualities lay in the field of finance. It is therefore not surprising that Jeroen graduates in business economics at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences in the early 1980s. 'A wonderful life,' he describes it. 'I also worked in my spare time, could go out and had a car.' After graduation, Jeroen started his career in the administrative sector.
Had he been able to do that time again, Jeroen might have become a pathologist-anatomist or a forensic accountant. Not that these are boyhood dreams, but investigating, reasoning and wanting to understand things seem extremely fascinating to him. But back in reality, he realizes that this thought is real only with today's knowledge.
From an early age, independence attracted him. Jeroen: "If I had been a good trader, it could have been at the market. The illusion of freedom. But also the urge to want to do it yourself. That people don't look over your shoulder. And carrying your own responsibility.
His ambition to become an accountant is not followed. At a job interview, the perspective offered at the time does not provide sufficient reason to move in that direction. The interview, however, did provide the reason to choose a different path. At the request of a Federation Tax Advisor, Jeroen starts work as a tax consultant. In his spare time, he spent four years studying tax law at the Tax Academy, a course run by the federation of the same name. At the same time, his oldest daughter is born. A sister follows four years later. As soon as Jeroen finished his studies, he made it clear to his employer that he would like to start his own business. This resulted in a joint start-up at the beginning of 1987. They became partners. For about 35 years Jeroen managed to serve his clients from his own practice.
'I don't think in terms of time,' Jeroen states. Although he does have to think in terms of deadlines for clients, he continues, "I'm not so time-bound, if it has to be finished, it has to be finished. No doubt this stems from the fact that Jeroen also sees his work somewhat as his hobby. 'I am a professional idiot,' he explains. 'But the person behind the file is the most interesting.' Listening to clients' ideas and their background is important in order to implement a tax structure around it in consultation. Jeroen calls himself a 'tax headstrong'. Not easily satisfied and not afraid to ask himself again 'is it really so?' With the rulebook and case law in hand, eager to once again enter the discussion with the Tax Office. 'A fun duel,' he describes it himself. 'But always respectful.' Perhaps that's why he refers to himself as a cat lover. 'I like their character,' Jeroen explains. 'Just as stubborn as I am.' Anyone who knows him a little will recognize this.
Busy with work all year round, Jeroen really takes a break in the summer. Although winter also has its charms and can produce a cozy feeling, he prefers to lazily enjoy the sun with a good book. Jeroen loves it when people buy him a book. "Buy the book you think I should read," he then challenges them, "because that says something about you, too.
Then again, on a wintry Boxing Day, the movies do come into play, the favorite being director Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" trilogy and starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and Robert Duvall, among others. Many times Jeroen has watched the series of films. Especially the first film. 'Not for the violence, but for the story of selflessness underneath.' And yes, he has also read Mario Puzo's book, of course. In addition, he can enjoy music. His broad interests range from classical to modern in the late 1980s. But he also appreciates reggae, ballads and the Ave Maria. The combination of music and lyrics and moments from life sometimes evoke emotion. Phrases like "your perfect imperfections" by John Roger Stephens, better known as John Legend, can touch him. 'Such a beautiful phrase. Who ever came up with that. I love that. 
All that remains for Jeroen now is a passive sports experience; in his younger years he was active as a handball goalie for two decades. That also fits his nature a bit. The last man in the field, a safety net. He also has that attitude toward his children and colleagues. "If there's anything, I'll still be there for you in goal.
Very classically, Jeroen still makes his notes and calculations with pen and paper. The elaboration, of course, gets a digital follow-up. 'Automation is a tool,' he states. 'I've seen it all born.' He refers to the Amsterdam Academic Computing Center Foundation, SARA for short, founded in 1971 to provide Amsterdam's largest computer facility to the University of Amsterdam and the then Mathematical Center, among others.
Jeroen recognizes himself in the - in his eyes - young partners of Kuipers & Claassen. Their vision and broad range of services are very different from what was possible in the 1980s. A time when services were not allowed to 'bite' each other. This is now much less the case, which means that growth ambitions can now be shaped. Feeling mutual trust to be able to realize that together. This is the right mix, which must be kept in motion. In addition, respect, appreciation and personal attention play a significant role in the management. A good culture.
'I'm not ready to quit yet,' the always helpful Jeroen states firmly. 'My work is my passion. I would like to keep working with a somewhat different interpretation of tasks and number of hours.' As an advisor, tax questioner, and with his many contacts as a 'trusted family advisor,' to provide direction on issues. 'After all, you can translate the difficult legislation for your client,' he concludes in all modesty, 'and so far clients have been extremely satisfied with that.' Originally, Jeroen is not much of a home worker. Since joining Kuipers & Claassen, however, he has been using it more often, especially when it comes to a job that requires focus. A nice balance.
And once Jeroen does have to retire, he's going to miss them. The relationships and his colleagues. He already knows that.
Quotes
I am not so time-bound, if it has to be finished, it has to be finished.
I am not a clock watcher.
I am a trade idiot.
I like the profession, but more the person behind the file.
I am a "fiscal stubborn.
I'm not ready to stop yet.
I am a systems thinker.
I am not the inventor of the wheel, I do know how it turns.
