Interview with Kimberlay Duquennoy

Kimberlay Duquennoy is one of our Senior Auditors at Forvis Mazars, but to us, she is also our Ironwoman. A bit more than three years ago, she not only started her career as a Junior Auditor at Forvis Mazars but also discovered her passion for sports. What began as a recreational pursuit quickly evolved into a journey of self-discipline and determination.

Over the years, Kimberlay tackled numerous professional and athletic challenges, constantly pushing her limits in both arenas. From mastering the complexities of auditing to completing endurance races, she embodies resilience and dedication.

Today, Kimberlay is channelling her energy and focus toward an exciting goal: the Ironman 70.3 in New Zealand, set to take place in December 2024. Training for such a demanding event requires unwavering commitment, resilience and effective time management. Although a career in auditing is often thought to leave little time for personal pursuits, Kimberlay has cultivated a healthy work-life balance.

Her story is an inspiration to all of us, proving that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible. In this interview, we invited Kimberlay to share her journey at Forvis Mazars and reflect on the role sports play in her life.

Could you briefly introduce yourself? Tell us more about your career journey at Forvis Mazars.

I am Kimberlay Duquennoy, I am 25 years old. I have been a Senior Auditor at Forvis Mazars for 3 years now. My professional career began when I got the opportunity to do an internship during my studies. So I applied to Forvis Mazars and since then, I have never left that company.

I have evolved year after year until I became a Senior Auditor.

How did Forvis Mazars stand out compared to other firms for your career choice?

During my internship, I had to look at the competitors and Forvis Mazars. The reason why I applied to Forvis Mazars is that I found a family atmosphere in this company. That reason incited me to apply and stay at Forvis Mazars. 

What do you like most about working at Forvis Mazars?

What I appreciate the most not only is the stimulating environment, but also the human aspect of the work itself. Why? Because we have a crucial role to play in the team. We have to report to the managers and supervise juniors as well. We also have to be able to discuss key elements with clients during the year, etc.

Say three words that describe your career path at Forvis Mazars.

The three words that describe my professional path at Forvis Mazars would be: commitment, resilience and growth.

Why those words?

Commitment, because I believe that audit requires daily personal investment.

Resilience, because we face professional challenges every day.

Growth, because I learn daily on both technical and personal levels.

What have you learnt from working at Forvis Mazars so far?

While working at Forvis Mazars, not only did I develop my self confidence but I also learnt to adapt and to be rigorous, because audit entails being able to adapt to each client, to each work environment.

Why rigorous? Because a high level of diligence is necessary. I believe that Forvis Mazars also taught me to work effectively in a team, particularly thanks to the mutual support among colleagues during assignments both in Belgium and abroad.

If I am not mistaken, you are currently preparing for an upcoming event. Could you elaborate on it?

Indeed, I am preparing for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships which will take place in December in New Zealand. It is a challenge that requires a good physical preparation because it combines  1.9 km of swimming, 90 km of cycling and 21 km of running. This is a personal challenge that demands extensive training as well as perseverance and determination – two values that are close to my heart, both in sports and in my work.

7. As you prepare for your Ironman in December, how does Forvis Mazars encourage you to pursue that goal?

Forvis Mazars supports me, namely through social media where they share the values of sports and even highlight some of my training sessions. That support via social media  encourages other colleagues to cheer me on, across various offices and teams. I hope it also motivates them to take on their own sports challenges!

8. To what extent is your job comparable to sport?

Working in audit and doing sports are very comparable, because they both require planning. Planning is a key element in audit – we all know well that without an efficient plan, we may encounter issues  with the file we are working on.

In sports, it is the same: it is crucial to manage your time, handle unexpected events and set goals to achieve.

Another aspect that comes to mind is teamwork. In sports it is important to be surrounded by supportive people who share the same goal as the athlete. That’s why I am for example accompanied by a trainer and a physical therapist who see me daily. In audit teams, it is the same – we must enable everyone to contribute their expertise and add value to the file.

Finally, I would say that qualities such as perseverance and determination are crucial in both audit and sports.

9.  How does sport impact your work performance at Forvis Mazars?

Sport has a significant influence on my performances at Forvis Mazars. Why? Because it helps me develop my resilience capacity when I face challenges at work.

Moreover, sport helps me manage my stress. You must be able to handle every situation even during unpredictable events.

Finally I believe that doing physical exercises regularly helps boost productivity and strengthen your mind.

10. What do you have to say to people who say it is impossible to have after-work activities when you work in audit?

I would tell them that nothing is impossible. I think it’s a matter of organisation and prioritisation. I believe it is necessary to manage your  time effectively. However, anyone who wants to engage in activities after work is absolutely capable of doing so. I consider myself to be living proof of this. I have sports activities, but everyone can have all kinds of activities outside working hours.