As ETL GLOBAL celebrates 10 years of empowering SMEs, the network highlights the people who helped build its foundation. In this interview, Ivana Vaňousová, CEO of KODAP, reflects on the early days of ETL in the Czech Republic, the legacy of her father’s vision, and how the firm has evolved over the years.
Growing Up in a Changing Country
Ivana Vaňousová grew up in what was then Czechoslovakia, during a time when the country was still part of the Eastern Bloc. Daily life was shaped by the norms of the communist system and the broader influence of the Soviet Union. “We were required to learn Russian in school, and the western borders were closed,” she says. “All of this naturally had an impact on my generation.”
Ivana was a teenager when the Velvet Revolution began in 1989 which marked the beginning of a new chapter for the country. “The Velvet Revolution found me in high school,” she recalls. What followed was a mix of curiosity, excitement, and uncertainty. For the first time, it felt like there was room to imagine a different future.
A New Tax System, and a New Kind of Firm
While Ivana was finishing her studies, her father, and founder of KODAP, Vladimír Šnek, was focused on one of the biggest transitions of his professional life, helping to build a new tax administration for the Czech Republic. As director of the state tax office department, he was involved in the shift away from the old communist model toward something that could support private businesses and a functioning market economy.
Through his contacts in Austria and Germany, he connected with Freund & Partner — a firm in Berlin that was part of the ETL Group. Their structured network and combined tax and legal services stood out. This led to a key meeting with Franz-Josef Wernze, the founder of ETL. The idea of bringing the model to the Czech Republic came at exactly the right time. Reliable tax services were in high demand, and the ETL structure offered a practical, scalable solution. In 1994, Vladimír Šnek founded KODAP — the first ETL office outside Germany. The name mirrored the concept: while ETL stood for European Tax and Law, KODAP meant Komplexní Daňové Poradenství — Comprehensive Tax Consulting in Czech.
Bernd Hollman, Dr. Christian Gorny, Vladimír Šnek, Ivana Vaňousová, Franz-Josef Wernze and Vlastimil Sojka at the 25th anniversary of KODAP.
First Steps and Growth
Ivana joined KODAP in 1995, just a year after it was founded. She started as an economic advisor and assistant to a tax advisor, learning the work from the ground up. “I’ve always had a passion for tax consulting and international taxation,” she says. KODAP was still in its early stages, developing its systems while adapting the ETL model to a local setting. The country was changing fast too. New businesses were appearing everywhere, often run by first-time entrepreneurs who needed clear, trustworthy advice.
Ivana found herself growing alongside both the firm and the country. She passed her exams in 1997 and became a licensed tax advisor. “Navigating legislative changes in a time before the internet and AI felt like detective work — and I loved it,” she says. Every case required persistence, reading, and discussions with colleagues. The appetite for services kept growing. “Watching the growth of entrepreneurship in the Czech Republic and the enthusiasm of people starting businesses and looking for tax support was really motivating,” Ivana says. “Our greatest teachers were undoubtedly our clients.”
A recent key moment came ten years ago, when KODAP became part of ETL GLOBAL — shifting from the original green German brand to the international red one. “We built on our historically strong cooperation with new projects alongside Christian Gorny and other colleagues,” Ivana says. “We found another great source of inspiration.” The move opened new channels for collaboration and helped strengthen their position within a growing international network.
“Watching the growth of entrepreneurship in the Czech Republic and the enthusiasm of people starting businesses and looking for tax support was really motivating. Our greatest teachers were undoubtedly our clients.”
Leading the Group Today
Ivana no longer spends her days directly advising clients. Her role has expanded into a much broader scope. As the managing director of the KODAP Group, she now focuses on operations, strategy, and supporting the teams across 20 offices throughout the Czech Republic. “These days, I don’t have much time for tax consulting,” she says. With a team of 240 people, the company brings new kinds of responsibilities and a different working pace. “None of this would be possible without an excellent management team – especially our partner, Mr. Vlastimil Sojka. This year, after thirty years in a leadership role within the company, he is stepping down for good. He has left a lasting imprint on the company, passing on a significant part of his personality and spirit — just as my father did before him, along with the vision of Franz-Josef Wernze.”
After nearly three decades in the field, she speaks about the profession with energy. While her day-to-day work has shifted, her connection to tax consulting remains strong and so does her belief in its value. The field is changing fast, and she sees both opportunity and responsibility in that. New tools, systems, and technologies are becoming part of the everyday workflow. “Today’s rapid development of new technologies, AI, language models, and software reminds me of our hectic post-revolutionary times,” she says. “Alongside the great opportunity for change in how we work, there’s also a massive wave of energy.”
In her personal life, Ivana divides her time between the Czech Republic and Spain, partly due to family ties. This allows her to draw from both cultures in her personal and professional life. As a mother of two teenagers, she deeply values the freedom and opportunities available to today’s younger generation. “I’m happy that my children are growing up in a time that offers them far more opportunities to study and travel than my generation ever had.”
Her advice to anyone considering a career in tax or advisory work is straightforward. “Don’t be afraid to start!” she says. What matters is the mindset. “A combination of knowledge, humility, and a desire to learn is the key to success.” And she’s clear that the workplace matters too. “Find an environment where you’ll be supported in both your professional and personal growth,” she says. “Then your work will truly bring you joy.”
A look back at ETL GLOBAL Conferences
