The importance of Data and AI within KPMG: a look at the collaboration with JADS
Posted on
In today’s business, where data and AI are increasingly setting the pace, it is critical for consulting and audit organizations like KPMG to develop strong expertise in these areas. KPMG and JADS are partnering in training professionals. We had a chat bout this collaboration with Alexandra van der Tuin, Chief Digital & Innovation van KPMG.
The Indispensability of Data and AI
The importance of data and AI at KPMG is clear: these technologies are no longer optional, but an indispensable core of their operations. Van der Tuin explains that since beginning their journey in data science about a decade ago, KPMG has undergone a significant shift. “The importance of data and AI is now fully integrated into our core business. Originally data science was an experimental area, but now it is crucial to both our consulting and auditing services. Data and AI not only help us work more efficiently, but also generate valuable insights for our clients. This makes it imperative to continuously invest in people who understand and can apply these technologies.”
Alexandra van der Tuin, KPMG Nederland
Roles and training
The question arises: what roles are essential to the success of this data-driven approach? Van der Tuin emphasizes that after undergoing training at JADS, KPMG aims to retain the core roles of their employees.
“We would like to keep these people in their core roles, for example advisory work around deals and Mergers & Acquisitions. This involves a lot of data analysis and due diligence, and smart people who can make quick analyses are key. Ideally, they stay in their core advisory or core audit roles and continue to innovate in how we provide advice to our clients. We also have two core teams: one for data and analytics within advisory, and one for data and analytics within assurance. These teams are at the heart of our knowledge and capabilities and remain continuously engaged in their areas of expertise.”
The valuable collaboration with JADS
The partnership between KPMG and JADS, which has been in place for six years, not only provides KPMG with access to highly trained professionals, but also helps to retain talent. Van der Tuin: “The partnership started out of necessity because we simply couldn’t get enough data scientists coming out of universities. So we decided to train people ourselves, and that has worked very well so far. Of the participants in the program, 60-70% are still employed with us, which shows that the program helps to keep people with us longer.”
Ellen Geerts, program manager of Professional Education and Incompany programs at JADS: “By working closely with KPMG, we are able to develop courses that not only impart theoretical knowledge, but also provide immediately applicable skills that are essential for success in a rapidly changing technological environment.”
Van der Tuin emphasizes that JADS performs well not only in terms of training quality, but also in providing a scientifically based curriculum.
Looking ahead
KPMG and JADS continue to innovate and realized a new in-house training course in 2025 that better meets today’s needs. “We want the training to be intensive enough to teach the necessary skills, but also flexible to be able to train more people. JADS thinks along with us very well and we look forward to the further development of this program,” said Van der Tuin.
