As ETL GLOBAL celebrates 10 years of empowering SMEs, the network highlights the people who helped build its foundation. In this interview, Robert Jurka, Managing Partner of ETL GLOBAL Praha, reflects on the network’s early development in the Czech Republic, the professional path that led him there, and his ambitions for the future.
Foundations of an Entrepreneurial Mindset
Robert Jurka was born in 1975 in the city of Hradec Králové, then part of communist Czechoslovakia. He grew up in a warm and supportive home, surrounded by friends and a deep love for sports. He tried many—swimming, skiing, cycling—but football was the one he enjoyed the most. “It was a great way to be with my friends, stay active, and learn to work as a team,” he says.
At home, his mother worked as an accountant, and conversations about numbers and taxes were common. “She was one of my influences in choosing this profession,” Robert recalls thoughtfully.
But the first true spark of interest in business came from an unexpected experience. Just before the Velvet Revolution, part of his family received a rare permission to visit an aunt in West Germany for a week. There, he saw a world entirely different from the one he knew. “Goods everywhere, people freely doing business… it truly impacted me,” he remembers. That brief trip left a deep impression, opening his eyes to a different way of life and stirring a curiosity about the business world that stayed with him.
Back home, this newfound discovery drove Robert to start his entrepreneurial ventures early. At just 13, he began selling posters from Bravo magazine to classmates (which were hard to find at the time.) Soon after, he expanded his entrepreneurial activities, washing car windows at petrol stations, delivering newspapers, and even spending two weeks working at a cemetery. Robert laughs as he recalls, “My friend convinced me to join, but he never returned after the first day. I met very interesting people during that time.”
By the age of 16, he was already helping out with a small family business his parents had started, negotiating deals for tea, coffee, and wine with local shopkeepers. “I was young, but comfortable dealing with adults,” he reflects. These experiences gradually transformed him from a somewhat shy boy into a person accustomed to dealing with all kinds of people, unknowingly laying the groundwork for a lifetime dedicated to building and nurturing professional relationships.
The First Steps of a Career in Tax and Advisory
When Robert moved to Prague at age 18 to study at the University of Economics, adjusting to city life was initially challenging. “Every Friday, I couldn’t wait to go back home,” he admits. But gradually, he adjusted to life in the capital. Later on, he settled in a quiet village nearby, enjoying a peaceful lifestyle with his great family while continuing his professional life in the city. “It’s the best of both worlds,” he says with a smile.
After his studies, Robert’s professional path started at Deloitte Prague, where he worked as a tax analyst. “It was very hard work,” he says, recalling those early years. In 2001, he joined BDO, where he would spend nearly a decade. Starting as a tax manager and later becoming a partner, he specialised in corporate income tax and international taxation, co-managing a team of 20 professionals. A memorable experience for him was a six-month secondment to BDO London. “Working internationally opened my eyes to entirely new ways of thinking about business. It’s something I highly recommend to anyone in any profession,” he says.
Later, at Moore Stephens, he led tax services and focused marginally on mergers and acquisitions. His first major deal was acquiring a firm led by the president of the Czech Chamber of Tax Advisors. “It was my first real taste of M&A, and I enjoyed everything about it—the team negotiation, the strategy, the people.”
During this period, he also launched the “Czech Tax Advisor & Tax Firm of the Year” competition, a national initiative to recognise excellence among tax professionals and firms. He ran the competition independently for five years before selling it to Wolters Kluwer in 2015. Today, it continues under the name SLUTO, with Robert as chairman of the jury. “It’s a great way to keep in touch with the best professionals in our field—and sometimes even discover new potential members for ETL GLOBAL.”
Robert Jurka presenting the Firm of the Year competition by Wolters Kluwer in 2018.
Joining ETL GLOBAL: A New Chapter
Robert’s entry into ETL GLOBAL unfolded through a series of fortunate connections and timely coincidences. In 2018, while considering his next move, he reached out to Vlastimil Sojka, Partner at KODAP, remembering him warmly from earlier collaborations. His intention was to join KODAP itself, but Vlastimil explained that the firm was part of ETL GLOBAL, and the network was looking for a new partner to drive its expansion in the Czech Republic. Robert’s background and extensive professional network, made him a natural candidate for the role.
He was then introduced to Dr. Christian Gorny, CEO of ETL GLOBAL, and recalls their first meeting vividly: “ETL GLOBAL had ambitious plans for the Czech Republic, and I hoped they might benefit from my experience in acquisitions. I immediately felt I was on the right team and could contribute meaningfully. Once again, I would like to thank Vlastimil Sojka and Dr. Gorny for this great opportunity!”
His first acquisition for the network came also in an unexpected way. A firm had offered him a job, and instead of accepting, Robert suggested they become part of the ETL GLOBAL family. They agreed – “Petr, Petr, Eva – thank you!” he says with a smile. – marking the first of many successful integrations. “It made me think that my journey with ETL GLOBAL was going to be simple,” he reflects. “But not everything came that easily. Over time, I learned that the key is working hard, only then do results come.”
Another memorable acquisition began also in an unusual setting: a hockey match. Robert spotted an advertisement for a law firm called Arrows and was intrigued. He found it unusual that a law firm would sponsor a sporting event and decided to look them up. That moment of curiosity led to a connection. Today, Arrows is one of the firms within ETL GLOBAL in the Czech Republic.
Under Robert’s co-leadership, ETL GLOBAL’s Czech presence grew rapidly, increasing from a turnover of 190 million CZK in 2019 to more than 600 million CZK today. He credits this growth to the excellent work of colleagues and clients across the country. “Our joint success is thanks to their commitment, and I want to sincerely thank everyone involved,” he says. His goal is to reach one billion CZK, working closely with the rest of the group – but as he explains, “It’s not just about numbers; it’s about proving the value of our unique approach.”
Throughout this journey, Robert highlights the support he has received from colleagues like Dr. Christian Gorny, Johannes Struckmeier, Anne-Kathrin Steinröder, Juan Bermúdez, Lumir Boureanu, Sonja Corterier, and Katja Kotzur, as well as from all the Master Partners across the network and the central team in Essen. “They’re great!” he adds. He makes special mention of Ivana Vaňousová and Vlastimil Sojka from KODAP, who co-lead the Czech Republic region alongside him. “ETL GLOBAL is special because our relationships are genuinely personal. If I need something, help is just a call away.”
“ETL GLOBAL is special because our relationships are genuinely personal. If I need something, help is just a call away.”
Present Challenges and the Digital Future
Robert sees both significant challenges and exciting opportunities ahead, particularly regarding digital transformation. He has championed the innovative “Captain” app, specifically designed to enhance interactions between sole traders, small businesses and their accountants. “Captain digitises paperwork, simplifies communication, and boosts efficiency,” Robert explains. “Yet technology alone isn’t enough. The true strength comes from blending digital tools with authentic human advisory services.”
This approach reflects ETL GLOBAL’s broader commitment to innovation, bridging generational changes in the industry. “Many company founders from the 1990s are nearing retirement, and fewer young professionals choose this field today. Digital solutions like Captain make accounting attractive and practical for the next generation,” Robert emphasises. “We should see this situation as an opportunity, not something to fear.”
Looking forward, Robert expects rapid industry evolution driven by automation and artificial intelligence. “We’re just at the beginning. Firms must embrace these technologies proactively. ETL GLOBAL is exceptionally well-positioned because we combine a strong IT focus with deep human expertise. This combination defines our competitive edge.”
Advice for Young Professionals
Robert’s advice to young professionals entering the field is clear and heartfelt: “Work hard, seize international opportunities, and always learn from others. True innovation often comes from adapting proven solutions creatively.”
He also places great importance on building meaningful and authentic professional connections. “Recently, I started asking people about their dreams, not just KPIs.” With this question, different from the usual, Robert says he can better understand what people really value and how he can build synergies with them. He enjoys connecting with others on a deeper level, because that’s where true collaboration and strength for achieving great things comes from. “Dreams reveal what truly matters to someone. Knowing that allows us to genuinely support each other.”
His own dream is clear and sincere: “To build something lasting, surrounded by people I trust and enjoy working with,” he says warmly.
A look back at ETL GLOBAL Conferences
