A board year as Chairman of Asset | Accounting & Finance – Lotte de Jager

In this article I would like to share with you how I experienced last year as Chairman of Asset | Accounting & Finance. If you’re curious what I do on a day or what I really remembered from my year on the board, read the article below!

My choice for a year at Asset | Accounting & Finance

Even though I already know a little bit about Asset, I joined the Accounting Insight Committee in April 2021. At the time, I still had the idea that I wanted to become an accountant, but above all it seemed very cool to be able to organise a symposium and meet new people. It was the time of heavy corona measures, where we even had to deal with a curfew during the active members’ weekend. Many activities were online, but to my surprise I quickly got to know many people within the association. I noticed that everyone had a very open attitude and that the atmosphere was often friendly, whether online or in small groups at someone’s home. I really enjoyed this period, and because of this good atmosphere, I got the idea to apply for a place on the board. Moreover, I saw it as the ideal opportunity to gain some experience that I would not get anywhere else. I can assure you that I succeeded!

An average day as a Chairman

As a chairman, you do a lot of different things, and I think my predecessors can attest to that. However, there are a number of fixed tasks that return every week. Every Monday morning I lead the board meeting, where we reflect on everything that is going on that week. I am also responsible for leading and preparing the meetings with the Advisory Board, the General Members’ Meetings and maintaining contact with the university.

In addition to these responsibilities, I also have a position on Asset’s general board. Here I am treasurer, which makes me responsible for all financial matters within the association. I lead the meeting of all treasurers every week and help them with certain issues. As general manager, I not only have the role of treasurer, I also represent Asset | Accounting & Finance within the weekly general managerial meeting. 

“What I like about this role is that you can often take on projects to innovate or improve something that will benefit your successors.”

Apart from the meetings and tasks that are on the agenda every week, I am always busy with other things. I have become much better at time management, which is a nice bonus. To give you an example of what I’m doing at the moment: these weeks I’m working on an Alumni Event in cooperation with the university, where I approach our alumni to come and talk about their careers and how they ended up there. I’m also working on the acquisition of Banking Days, and I’m having discussions with the Department of Finance about our study support and how we can better integrate that with each other. 

What I like about this role is that you can often take on projects to innovate or improve something that will benefit your successors. For example, I have taken steps towards the further professionalization of all legal affairs within Asset, for which we have set up a task force. Together with this task force, we are learning more about contract law, we are looking at certain rules of the tax authorities and we want to take this a step further. 

I also have a lot of contact with the university, mainly with the Academic Directors of the Accountancy and Finance Masters. Together with them, I often organise smaller events and information sessions. If you maintain good relations, you not only build up your own network, you also receive a lot of information and you can often switch with them if you have a new idea or run into problems. I get a lot of satisfaction from this contact because you can really help each other, and you see a lot of what a study association can mean to students.

Highlights of last year

Last year had a number of clear highlights. The two General Assembly Meetings really stand out. I think it’s a great moment to reflect on the past six months and to look ahead at what great events are planned. You have to be able to justify yourself and be well prepared (and of course be able to answer a lot of questions), but it gives you a lot of satisfaction. You officially say goodbye to the old board, but it is also a festive evening where you hammer in the new board and from there on it really starts. What I personally found to be a very special period was the summer, because the corona measures were gradually relaxed then. At the end of the academic year we had many lunches and drinks, where you can see all the A&F members together again. To end the summer in a fun way, we attended the announcements and constitution drinks of all the other boards. Here we quickly got to know the people with whom we would be working in the rooms every day.

By loosening the restrictions, we could also physically organise formal events again, some after only two years. I was really looking forward to meeting all those companies physically and seeing all those students together. 

What I learned in my year on the board

I think I can list hundreds of things I learned during my year on the board, but what stands out for me is what you learn about other people. As chairman you really notice the dynamics within your board and it is up to you to make sure everyone has a good time. A good atmosphere in the rooms is very nice, because you get a lot of energy and motivation from each other. As chairman you also have to take the responsibility to monitor discussions well, to know how everyone is doing and to voice small irritations and let everyone have his say. You will notice that you quickly become better at this, especially after you get to know your board better during the summer period. 

Also in the general board you learn a lot about the people you work with. Not only is it very cosy to have another board with whom you do nice things, you learn a lot about the interests that play a role within and outside the association. I now often know very well where certain interests come from, and also how I can carefully weigh them against each other. 

In this role, you really are the face of A&F, and you always learn to justify yourself properly. It’s a challenging role, because there’s a lot on your plate, especially in the beginning. If you’re willing to learn a lot and can be open with your board, you’ll find that this will soon work out and you’ll actually be able to do a lot more than you think. I think I have really gained years of life experience in a relatively short time, which will be useful for the rest of my life. I haven’t regretted a single moment of last year and I know for sure that I will continue my studies with a mountain of pleasant and special memories. 

If you would like to know more about my management year after reading this article, please drop by room E107 or contact me. I would love to have a coffee with you!