Get to Know Anette Holzinger | Head of ETL GLOBAL German Desk

After finishing school, the first step into the profession came through an accounting apprenticeship, which provided valuable hands-on experience early on and sparked a genuine interest in the field. Building on that interest, studying economics at university deepened my understanding and confirmed that this was the right path.

Since then, the journey has naturally evolved into a long-standing career in accounting and tax, one that continues to be both dynamic and rewarding. What truly stands out is the variety of the work and the international dimension, which brings constant learning and new perspectives.

For me, it is the combination of attention to detail, a solution-oriented mindset, and a strong team spirit.

Attention to detail is something I rely on every day to ensure accuracy and consistently high standards in my work. At the same time, I believe it is important to focus on solutions rather than problems so that the client receives meaningful support rather than simply being presented with tasks.

Above all, I value being a team player. In my experience, the best results come from open collaboration and supporting one another to achieve shared goals.

Our strength lies in combining responsiveness with consistently high-quality delivery. We adopt a genuinely client-focused approach, tailoring our support to each client’s needs. With around 170 professionals and specialists across a broad range of disciplines, we bring together the right expertise to provide seamless, well‑coordinated and practical advice.

At the heart of it, we are not just advisers, we are committed partners, invested in our clients’ success every step of the way.

Good client service in our firm means delivering what is needed, when it is needed, with reliability and efficiency. We take the time to listen carefully, tailor our services to each client, and provide proactive advice rather than simply responding to requests. Equally important is our collaborative team approach, ensuring clients benefit from the combined expertise of our specialists.

For me, the most valuable aspect of being part of ETL GLOBAL is the strong sense of working together rather than being on your own, it genuinely feels like being part of a family. I really value collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds and cultures who are all committed to supporting one another. This close international network also means we can help our clients across borders with confidence, knowing they have trusted advisors wherever they go.

As Co‑Head of the ETL GLOBAL German Desk, alongside active involvement in several working groups, particularly in Global Mobility and VAT, there is a strong connection to the wider international network. Working closely with colleagues across different countries broadens my perspective and helps me better understand international differences in practice and approach. Regular meetings, including our annual working group and German Desk gatherings hosted in different countries, strengthen relationships, encourage knowledge sharing, and make collaboration across the network more effective and personal.

The implementation of AI is one of the most significant trends in our profession, particularly in improving efficiency and automating routine tasks. It enables us to focus more on providing deeper insights, advisory work, and more personalised support to our clients. However, the human element remains essential: professional judgement, personal relationships and a deep understanding of our clients’ needs cannot be replaced and will continue to be at the heart of what we do.

Looking ahead, it is important to me that each of us continues to build strong personal connections within ETL GLOBAL, so that we truly know one another and understand each other’s areas of expertise. This makes it much easier to collaborate, make meaningful referrals, and support clients as they expand into new countries, something I personally enjoy a lot.

At the same time, I believe in the importance of growing the network in a thoughtful and balanced way, particularly in regions where we are not yet present, ensuring that any expansion strengthens the overall quality and collaboration of the network.

Build your network early on in your career, as it will become one of your most valuable assets. You will never be able to know everything yourself, but knowing the right people who do makes a real difference. This not only supports your own development but also helps you deliver better outcomes for your clients.