We sat down with Bob van den Brand, an Accountancy lecturer at Tilburg University. In this interview, he shares his passion for numbers, his connection to the city, and what makes teaching so rewarding. He reflects on his own student days, offers tips for first-year students, and explains why accountancy is more interesting than many assume.
Why become a professor in accountancy?
“It was a mix of interest and circumstance.” He was drawn to financial accounting, management accounting, and bookkeeping. “I liked those subjects much more than the more abstract math courses.” He discovered a love for research early on, and teaching came naturally. “I started as a student assistant, and I realized: I actually enjoy explaining things to others.”
Why Tilburg?
Tilburg has always felt familiar to him. His connection to the city began during his time at De Hogeschool Katholieke Leergangen Tilburg. After completing his PhD at Tilburg University, he accepted positions at Erasmus University and Nyenrode. Eventually, Tilburg invited him back, and it felt like the right decision. “It felt like coming home,” he says.
Student years
“My student life? A lot of resits and generous deadlines,” he laughs. He lived in student housing and recommends it to everyone. “You learn so much just by living with others. It’s part of the whole package.”
Socially, he made the most of student life. “Thursday night was party night, but first you’d meet during the lectures. There weren’t mobile phones, so class was the only way to coordinate the plans for the evening.”
On teaching
He values the connection with students most of all. Whether during lectures or exam reviews, he often finds that real conversations take place.
However, the job is not without its challenges. In recent years, the amount of behind-the-scenes work has increased significantly. “The administrative load has grown a lot. It used to be mostly about teaching. Now it’s fifty/fifty.”
What do you hope students remember from your lectures?
“Debit equals credit”, is the classic accounting rule he hopes students remember. But more importantly, he wants them to understand the meaning behind the numbers. “Behind every number is a story. Numbers are never just numbers.”
Common misconception about the field?
There is a persistent belief that accountancy is boring. He understands why people think that, but he disagrees. “Sure, it can be boring. But so can anything.” He points out that the field requires dedication, but also offers real-world relevance. “Sometimes you have to work hard, but when you are working full time, you need to be ready for that too.”
Effects of budget cuts
He acknowledges that budget cuts are having a real impact across the university. Both staff and students are feeling more uncertain. With fewer international students enrolling and tutorial groups growing in size, it is becoming harder to maintain the personal connections that make education meaningful. “There’s a lot of uncertainty,” he says. “Fewer international students, bigger tutorial groups.”
Where should we invest?
He believes the future lies in digitalization. Universities need to be smarter in how they use online tools. “We need to rethink what should be online and what should stay in person. Lectures are fine to stream. But tutorials and discussions need to happen face-to-face because that is where real interaction takes place.”
Favorite spot on campus?
He names the CZ-building (Cobbenhagen) without hesitation. “It has this monastic, modern vibe. And the light inside is beautiful.” He also enjoys the Warandebos, especially because of the Siberian squirrels that escaped from the old Tilburg zoo and now live there.
History as a hobby
In his spare time, he enjoys learning about local history. “I’m fascinated by how places evolve.” His interest once led to a spontaneous mini-lecture at Café de Spaarbank, a former bank turned café in the city center. “The owner loved it, the staff went quiet, and suddenly everyone was listening.” He especially appreciates old buildings with character. “The interior of the old Spaarbank is just stunning. When you're there, the story almost tells itself.”
Not surprisingly, his book recommendation is Bart van Loo’s, De Bourgondiërs: “A must-read for anyone into history. It’s engaging and accessible.”
Lastly, Bob would like to share some tips for first-year students:
- “Live in student housing. Yes, it’s expensive, but worth it if you can manage.”
- “Go on exchange, preferably twice.”
- “Break the high school mindset and take ownership of your time.”
- “Join things like the sounding board, sports, study associations, company visits, and trips. Don’t stay on the sidelines.”
- “And please, make mistakes. It’s how you learn. No one’s keeping score.”