The events of 1989 drove my interest in accounting following the Polish transformation from a centrally planned economy to a country embracing the free market. It became my inspiration to do something related to economics or finance.
After getting into the Warsaw School of Economics, I really discovered my passion for finance. I started my career in accountancy in banking, first at the National Bank of Poland and then at the European Central Bank (ECB). I have now been working here for 20 years in several roles and currently I manage a large international team producing financial statements.
I have come to understand the value of mindfulness and having distance
Working for the ECB carries a certain prestige, and a sense of mission of doing something beneficial for society and Europe. There’s a lot of work to be done to ensure the public sector is efficient and well-managed, and that it adopts the best standards and technological advancements. Our work serves the citizens of Europe, which is motivating for me as we constantly provide high-quality financial reporting.
AI is the significant technological trend of our times. It will help us streamline accounting processes, save time, create innovation and improve the quality of assurance. This is very relevant, especially for repetitive processes – something that is as true in the public sector as it is in the private sector.
My favourite quote comes from the poem ‘Lost’ by David Wagoner: ‘Stand still. The forest knows where you are. You must let it find you.’ I have come to understand the value of mindfulness and having distance from everything that happens around us. It is important to slow down sometimes and reflect, as stopping for a minute to notice things is enriching and energising.
If I had law-making powers, I would harmonise laws and regulations in Europe. I support legal changes that strengthen Europeans as a union, across all areas. For example, the Eurosystem’s accounting is harmonised, which allows the ECB to produce high-quality financial reports to inform our citizens about our activities. This supports a stable euro and allows appropriate banking supervision.
What I enjoy most about my job is knowing that I’m serving the European community
What I enjoy most about my job is knowing that I’m serving the European community and dealing with numbers that matter. Our activities are crucial to monetary policy, so being accountable for these reports is motivating and rewarding, but it’s also a great responsibility. I also like collaborating with a great international team, and optimising processes to ensure our work is as efficient and accurate as possible, while also adding value.
My biggest achievement has been my family. I’m a happy husband and father of three wonderful children. My family is my foundation, a source of joy and daily encouragement that is incredibly enriching. Every evening, we sit down at the dinner table, talk and sometimes play some board games. I enjoy cooking for my family, especially pasta arrabbiata, which is my speciality. Our family trips are also a great experience, as we like exploring new places and getting to know different cultures.
If I wasn’t an accountant I think I would still have a job in finance, perhaps in the private banking sector or for another public institution.
In my own time, I enjoy jogging and trying different routes around Frankfurt. I always participate in the JPMorganChase Corporate Challenge, a 5.6km run for bankers held every June. This year, I even ran a half-marathon. I love football, too, so I support my local Bundesliga club and like collecting football cards.
