Since 2014, Ellen van Boxtel has been working at ABAB Accountants and Consultants’ headquarters in Tilburg as Senior Staff. In this edtition of Working At, Ellen explains why she chose to work for ABAB.
What is your study background?
I already knew I wanted to work in accountancy at an early age. Especially working in teams, visiting various customers and see how they run their company is what really drew me. Straight after high school, I started studying accountancy at Nyenrode after which I joined one of the ‘Big 4’ accountancy firms. I always planned on working at a Big 4 firm, because I thought that I would learn more there than at any other firm. But after a while, I found out that a Big 4 company did not quite suit me. I worked with a big team which made the atmosphere less personal. Also, I got to see less of the companies we visited than I hoped. So then, together with a recruiter, I started looking for another company.
Why did you choose to work for ABAB?
It quickly became clear that ABAB really stood out to me. I had a pleasant interview with ABAB; I would work in a smaller team of 30 to 35 colleagues for a nice group of SME clients. From the start that felt good, because the atmosphere at ABAB, which is informal and personal, really fits me. Everyone knows one another and it is nice to visit our clients with a different group of colleagues every time. To further strengthen our team spirit, we regularly organize fun events.
What do you enjoy most about your work at ABAB?
At ABAB, I get to visit SME companies from all sectors. As Senior Staff, I have much personal contact with these clients. We get sufficient freedom from ABAB to schedule our days and weeks. Furthermore, because we operate in small teams, everyone has a strong sense of responsibility for the audit. The fact that ABAB values a healthy balance between our professional and private lives, of course is pleasant as well. Moreover, at ABAB you get all the opportunities that you would expect at a Big 4 firm.
What career developments does ABAB offer new employees?
ABAB attaches a lot of value to your development, on both a professional and personal level. Employees receive plenty of coaching and the company invests in your development as accountants. Training and education is part of that, but it is also important that you quickly become a part of the team. For employees who already work at ABAB, there are also possibilities for development and education. Your ambition is certainly stimulated and supported at ABAB.
Why would you recommend ABAB to someone starting his or her career?
Even as a new employee you quickly get to visit many companies, and you get in touch with a lot of clients. Also you get a lot of freedom and possibilities for developing your career and to learn on a professional and personal level. New employees are supported through a mentorship system with a medior or senior colleague. Because you work with people from various disciplines, you are able to grow broadly. ABAB scored the highest customer satisfaction in the sector, through its customer relations management. Naturally, that makes me proud to work at ABAB.
What is your personal ambition?
This year I wish to finish my post-master’s degree and in 2017, I aim to complete my training as chartered accountant. Eventually I hope to move to the position of accountant within ABAB. Although you often see that accountants leave an accountancy firm upon graduation for the back office, I am not sure whether I would do that. I enjoy working here a lot. We work in a young team with a lot of variety in activities and tasks. I think in business I would miss this variety.
ABAB is an all-round accountancy and consultancy firm. We offer a broad range of services in a wide range of market segments. As an employee you work from your own specialization, but you are often involved in other specializations as well. That is why our employees collaborate intensively in multidisciplinary teams. This means that we offer the possibility to work with a team on a very diverse and appealing portfolio of clients. As a team we achieve the best results together. Thanks to intensive contact with our customers, practical support and advice we guide our customers to the future together.
Would you like to know more about working at ABAB, or would you like to receive information about internships? Please contact Leonie van den Meijdenberg – van den Bersselaar from the Human Resources department, through +31 (0) 13 4647103 or Leonie.vd.Meijdenberg@abab.nl
