Organizing a Study Tour outside of Europe is no small task. Preparations began at the start of this academic year. Within two weeks, we made our decision: this year’s Study Tour will take us to Bangkok, with a three-day excursion to Kanchanaburi. In Bangkok, we will visit places like Baker Tilly and the Stock Exchange. In Kanchanaburi, we will enjoy Thailand’s beautiful nature. Our committee consists of: Together, we are working hard to organize an exciting trip and to answer our research question:“How do sustainable initiatives in the textile industry contribute to environmental improvements in Bangkok?” How Did We Choose Our Research Question? Our research question was inspired by our own city, Tilburg. In the past, Tilburg was a major textile city—there’s a reason why we’re called “Kruikenzeikers.” Today, Bangkok is a key hub for the textile industry, a sector with significant environmental impact due to water consumption, chemical waste, and energy usage. Tilburg remains involved in this sector through innovative developments. By bridging the gap between Tilburg’s innovations and Bangkok’s current challenges, we hope to learn from Thailand’s approach to sustainability while also exploring whether Thai businesses can benefit from Tilburg’s innovations. What Does It Mean to Be in the Committee? We meet for an hour every week to discuss what needs to be done in the coming weeks. In the beginning, we brainstormed about possible locations. After that, things got serious: booking flights, arranging accommodations, promoting the trip, and pitching the first version of our research proposal—which got approved! Now, we are working on refining it. Currently, we are brainstorming fun informal activities for our Study Tour. We also spent some time planning our committee outing, because alongside hard work, there should be room for fun! Besides the organizational work, being in the committee is also an opportunity for personal growth—developing leadership skills, learning how to negotiate with international contacts, and managing budgets. Personal Experiences Joost: Last year, I helped organize the Study Tour to Valencia with Asset | Economics. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to do it again! This time, the challenge is even bigger since it’s an intercontinental trip, which comes with extra hurdles. Everyone needs a passport, we need to research vaccinations, and we must ensure everyone has a way to make payments in Thailand. But that makes it all the more exciting! As Chairman, I set up agendas, lead meetings, and oversee planning. Fortunately, our committee members are enthusiastic and do their tasks well, which makes my second responsibility—coordinating and monitoring—much easier! Luuk: I quickly realized that organizing a trip like this is harder and more time-consuming than I expected. There are many small details to arrange and consider. Every decision must be carefully thought through since we are spending other people’s money. Creating a budget was especially challenging—I had no experience with trip planning, so I had no idea how much everything would cost. In the end, as the trip starts taking shape, everything falls into place, but it has been a valuable learning experience. Yorick: As External Affairs Officer, my main focus is arranging both formal and informal activities and maintaining contact with companies. Ensuring everything is properly organized is crucial—otherwise, we might find ourselves in the middle of Bangkok with no accommodations, and that would be a disaster. Luckily, our team is highly motivated, and the trip planning is going smoothly so far. Melanie: As Secretary, I am responsible for keeping minutes, which summarize the key points discussed in our meetings. We have a lot to cover since we are organizing a trip for 20 people, and we need to make sure nothing is overlooked. It’s also essential to inform participants in advance about the trip—what vaccinations they need, our daily schedule, and what is expected of them. Our committee has a big workload, but since we have a large team, we can divide tasks efficiently! Mirthe: As a Coordinator, I represent the Asset | Financials board and oversee the entire event. I make sure everyone completes their tasks on time so the trip runs smoothly. I also handle communication with external parties since everything must go through the Asset | Financials email. Aside from the work, it’s great to meet with the same team every week and catch up. We also see each other at Asset | Financials events and committee outings, which makes us a close-knit group in a short time. Bart: I’ve organized a trip before, but a Study Tour involves so much more. Every little detail needs to be arranged in advance to ensure a smooth experience. That makes it fun because we have to collaborate a lot, which means we get to know each other quickly. Conclusion Organizing a Study Tour outside Europe is quite a challenge, with many aspects to consider. However, it’s a fantastic learning experience. It requires strong teamwork, clear task division, and dedicated effort—but with a motivated committee, we are making it happen!
Working At De Beer – Meet Tim: Assistant Accountant and Chairman of the Works Council at De Beer
Tim Steketee (30) has been working at De Beer for a year and a half and will soon be moving into his new house in Hilvarenbeek, which he is currently renovating extensively. With his broad interests and energetic approach, he shares why he feels completely at home at De Beer and how he combines his role as Assistant Accountant with that of Chairman of the Works Council. What made you want to work at De Beer? “Through my hockey club in Hilvarenbeek, I had already heard many positive stories about De Beer. What immediately attracted me was the personal atmosphere and working in a smaller office. At my previous employer, the focus was mainly on growth, which didn’t quite fit what I was looking for. I particularly appreciate a work environment with short lines of communication and the freedom to find my own way. At De Beer, I really feel seen, both by colleagues and by clients. That personal and involved atmosphere makes a big difference for me.” How do you combine your work with your role in the Works Council? “Combining my work as an Assistant Accountant with my role as Chairman of the Works Council is going well. In my job, I am active daily in the Audit team, where I perform audits for various clients. I get enough time and space to contribute to the council and shape it further with my colleagues at De Beer. Although we are still in the start-up phase with the Works Council, the goal is to become an equal partner in discussions with management. We act as a link between employees and the board, ensuring that everyone has a voice. While many accountants are analytical and structured according to the DISC test, I belong more to the ‘red’ category: I am action-oriented and like to take the lead. This fits well with my role as chairman.” What do you like most about De Beer’s clients? “The client base at De Beer is really a breath of fresh air for me. The focus here is on local SMEs, mainly in Tilburg and the surrounding area. Most clients are within cycling distance, which creates an accessible atmosphere. At larger firms, you often work for big companies and only perform audits as an accountant. At De Beer, I can mean more and really support clients. This way, I add more value and work with clients who suit me well.” How do you experience the collaboration with your colleagues? “The collaboration here is good, especially thanks to the open culture. You can walk into anyone’s office, regardless of the team or your position. Within the Audit team, the lines of communication are short, and we are often on the same page, which makes collaboration efficient. You can easily switch with other departments, and if it gets too busy, you just say so. People really listen. Besides work, there are plenty of informal moments. Regular drinks are organized, and recently we went paddleboarding with the team. These activities make the atmosphere even more enjoyable.” What makes working at De Beer special for you? “At De Beer, I have a lot of freedom to divide my time between my Post-Master’s degree to become a Registered Accountant and the renovation of my house. Practical matters, such as working hours and the possibility to work from home, can be filled in flexibly. I greatly appreciate that flexibility and understanding of personal priorities. We work in small teams with experienced colleagues, so we continuously learn from each other. The culture is flat and open; you have all the space to find your own way and grow. If you have an idea or want to achieve something, you get the chance to explore and put it into practice. You are not just a number here and do more than just tick off tasks. That combination of an informal atmosphere and room for personal development makes De Beer special for me.”
Working at EY – From Lecture Hall to Office: Renate Shares Her EY Journey from Student to Employee
Renate de Vries recently took a significant new step in her career at EY, joining as a Staff Auditor. However, her connection with the organization goes back further. With great enthusiasm, she shares her story of transitioning from a student to a professional career at EY. From her initial exposure to the field of accounting to her current position, Renate describes the challenges and opportunities she has encountered along the way. She highlights the importance of practical experience, finding a balance between work and studies, and the supportive role that EY has played in this journey. Additionally, Renate is actively involved in various company activities, including organizing the ski trip and assisting with several recruitment events. Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and how your EY adventure began? I’m Renate de Vries, 24 years old, born in Hoek van Holland. After high school, I moved to Tilburg to study Business Economics at Tilburg University. My journey with EY began in the third year of my studies when I got the chance to start an internship. My year as Secretary at Asset | Accounting & Finance had already introduced me to various sectors and companies in the financial world. Ultimately, I decided that accountancy appealed to me the most, so I started at EY in Eindhoven. I enjoyed it so much that, now more than two years later, I’m still here, and last September I started as a Staff Auditor. How was it applying theories from the classroom directly to your internship, and what did it teach you? When I started my internship, it felt as if the theories I’d learned in class weren’t directly applicable to real life. Everything was new and somewhat overwhelming. But as the weeks went by, I started to see connections. The puzzle pieces began to fall into place, and even subjects that I initially thought unrelated to accountancy turned out to be unexpectedly useful. During my internship, I also took two courses from the Accountancy minor, which provided a direct link to my daily work. This experience sped up my learning process and made my time in lectures all the more valuable. Balancing studies and work is a challenge. How did you manage that, and was EY flexible with your study schedule? Combining studies and work was a challenge that I was eager to take on. I had classes on Tuesdays and Fridays, and I worked on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. At first, this was quite an adjustment, and I had to improve my planning skills. Luckily, I received help from my Buddy at EY, and you learn quickly through trial and error. EY also offered a lot of flexibility. If I couldn’t work on a certain day due to my studies, it wasn’t an issue. I could rearrange my hours or take a day off. EY was very supportive, making it much easier to combine my studies with my internship. What advice would you give students considering a post-master RA program after graduation? If you’re considering the RA program, make sure to gain practical experience in the audit department first, for instance, through an internship or a working student position. This program requires a serious commitment and discipline. Also, it’s important to check if you have any prerequisite courses to complete. Sometimes, you can finish these during your master’s, which saves time and stress later on. Finally, don’t be intimidated by the program. Everything you learn in it is highly valuable in practice. Although it’s sometimes demanding, I also enjoy Fridays when we have study sessions. It’s refreshing to return to university after four days of work and listen to lectures again. We wrap up Friday afternoons by celebrating the weekend together at Esplanade, which always gives me a boost. What helped you transition from student to Staff Auditor? The induction process at EY was incredibly valuable for me. In the first two weeks, you get to know all the new starters, the organization, and what’s expected of you. During the day, we had many training sessions, which felt similar to classes, and there were fun activities planned as well. For example, we did an escape room and had a beach BBQ. In the evenings, there was always an activity like a pub quiz or theme night. This made the transition from student life to a full-time job feel much smoother. After the induction, you start working. I received a lot of support from my teams, coach, and mentor. You also still have a lot of training at first, so some workweeks are only three days, which eased my transition to Staff Auditor. You are also part of a “year group”—the cohort with whom you start in September. This group provides a valuable support network, as everyone faces similar challenges while adjusting to a new job and study program. We still get together for social activities, like going to a terrace on Thursdays or attending office gatherings. You had multiple career options. Why did you specifically choose EY, and what set EY apart for you? During my board year with Asset | Accounting & Finance, I’d already been introduced to different accounting firms. I weighed the pros and cons of a smaller firm and the Big Four. I ultimately decided to start at a larger firm and see where things went from there. I joined Asset’s accounting expedition, where you visit Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, and EY in two days. EY just felt right to me. After my internship, I had the option to apply elsewhere or do another internship, but I chose to stay. I felt good about it, loved the office and colleagues, and thought, “If it feels right, why look further?” This, of course, varies for everyone, but it worked for me. “The fit with EY felt right from the start, so why look further? When you feel at home and see opportunities for growth, it’s a sign you’ve made the right choice.” Looking ahead, where do you
Growing together with Vermetten – Jelle Heesakkers
Jelle Heesakkers serves as a Junior Strategic Advisor specializing in sustainability at Vermetten, where he has quickly made a significant impact on the Advisory team. Read on to learn about his experience working at Vermetten! My Journey So Far My career at Vermetten began in 2021, when I had the opportunity to start as a working student at Kalb Accountants in the finance department. I received this chance while pursuing my Master’s in Finance at Tilburg University. In 2022, Kalb Accountants became part of the Vermetten group. The acquisition allowed me to grow within a larger, dynamic organization, which opened up many new possibilities, both personally and professionally. After completing my master’s degree, I joined Vermetten’s Advisory team. This was a logical next step because I wanted to expand my knowledge not only in finance but also in strategy. I was given ample opportunity to do so within the Advisory team, where we advise clients on both their strategy and sustainability. Working Together Towards Future-Proofing What makes our Advisory team unique is the way we combine strategic advice with sustainability consulting. In today’s world, this combination is essential because companies must not only aim for profitability but also focus on future-proofing and corporate social responsibility. Clients and governments are placing increasingly higher demands on companies; they expect not only strong financial performance but also attention to ecological and social impact. For me, the most enjoyable aspect of providing sustainability advice is the variety in the work and the collaboration with entrepreneurs. We help them make their businesses future-proof by integrating strategy and sustainability. This means we not only focus on the short term but also on the broader, sustainable future of the company. Sustainability Consulting At Vermetten, our sustainability consulting is based on four key pillars. The first pillar is legislation and regulation, where we support clients, for example, with their CSRD reporting. The CSRD requires large companies to report their impact on people and the environment, but it also affects SMEs due to the supply chain pressure exerted by larger companies on their suppliers. This means that many of our SME clients are also confronted with sustainability requirements from the supply chain. The second pillar focuses on obtaining sustainability certifications, such as B-Corp. For many companies, this is a way to make their social responsibility visible, not only to customers but also to investors and other stakeholders. The third pillar involves companies that are intrinsically motivated to make their businesses more sustainable. We support them in developing and implementing a sustainable strategy. The final pillar is about inspiring and connecting companies. We do this, for example, by organizing roundtable sessions where we bring entrepreneurs together to discuss the importance of sustainability. By sharing experiences and ideas, a network is formed in which sustainability takes center stage, and companies can work together towards a future-proof direction. Impact in the Consulting World What I enjoy about working at Vermetten is that you are involved in important decisions from day one. In our small, friendly team, you have the space to contribute your ideas, and your input is taken seriously. This creates an environment where you can not only grow quickly but also genuinely feel like you are making a difference. Personal growth is central at Vermetten. If you have the ambition to further develop yourself or advance in a particular field, there is always room for discussion. Vermetten encourages you to get the best out of yourself. In short, my time at Vermetten has not only given me the opportunity to deepen my knowledge but also to make a real impact in the consulting world. Whether it’s strategic decisions, sustainable solutions, or personal development, at Vermetten, there are plenty of opportunities to grow. Are you looking for a meaningful job? And do you want to make a difference for our clients and colleagues? Apply today via our job vacancies!
A board year as Vice-Chairman & External Affairs at Asset | Accounting & Finance
Charlotte van der Veeke Who am I? I am Charlotte van der Veeke, 20 years old, and from Almelo, which is definitely not close to Tilburg. Nevertheless, I came to North Brabant to study, and I haven’t regretted it for a moment since. I officially started my third year of the bachelor’s in Business Administration (previously Business Economics) this September, but since I began my board year last winter, I’ll continue with the courses from the second semester of the second year soon. A year ago, I joined Asset | Accounting & Finance and became part of the Orientation Committee. I enjoyed it so much that after half a year, I decided to join the board. Why did I choose a board year at Asset | Accounting & Finance? I chose a board year because I wanted to develop myself both personally and organizationally. I enjoy connecting with companies in such a unique way, learning how to hold meetings, functioning in a close-knit group, while still having the social and informal atmosphere of students around you. It’s also a welcome break from studying, and it feels good to dedicate myself fully to the association. I chose the position of vice-chair because I love interacting with members and want to serve them. I enjoy providing new members with information and making them feel involved in the association. I’m also good at remembering names, which helps! Additionally, I’m responsible for the website, and I love making it as functional and appealing as possible. Another big task for the vice-chair is promotion, which didn’t initially appeal to me, but I’ve found I enjoy brainstorming and helping figure out how to reach as many students as possible. What does a week as Vice-Chairman look like? As vice-chair, I mostly focus on member contact and promoting the association. Every Monday morning starts with the board meeting, where we discuss everything important. Usually, I don’t have many set tasks on Mondays, so after the meeting, I can focus on preparing for other meetings and tasks throughout the week. Every Wednesday, I attend the meeting of the website coordinators from other departments, followed by a meeting with all the other vice-chairs. In the first meeting, we discuss technical matters that need alignment or new digital developments relevant to our associations. In the second meeting, we organize promotion for Asset General and the parties we host. The vice-chairs are responsible for organizing major events like COdE, the Pre-Carnival Party, and Asset Champions League. This is a fun extra challenge, and it’s a great way to learn event management. The vice-chair also oversees informal committees: CityTrip, Cooking Club, and the Master Committee. The CityTrip always takes place in the second semester and goes to a city in Europe. As a coordinator, it’s amazing to help organize this entire trip. The Cooking Club is a relatively calm committee, where you cook for different committees about three times per semester to strengthen bonds between members. It’s always fun and a great addition to the role. The Master Committee organizes informal activities for Master’s students, which is different from the other two and provides a nice variety. Final words I recommend a board year to any student. So far, I’ve made countless beautiful memories that wouldn’t have been the same without this experience. I’ve also made many new friends, for which I’m very grateful. I’ve grown immensely, and I now feel more confident and capable of handling various situations. For example, you learn how to work well with people you may not naturally get along with, which is a valuable skill for later in professional life. I’m thankful I’ve had the chance to fulfill this role and will always look back on this year with a big smile. Sven Joosen Who am I? My name is Sven Joosen, and I am 24 years old. I’m originally from the beautiful town of Made in North Brabant (though you can’t really tell from my accent). Until recently, I didn’t live in Tilburg, and after COVID, I thought about becoming active in a student association again. Eventually, through various connections, I ended up at A&F, and I haven’t left since—and I plan to stay for a while longer. After six months, I joined the Activities Committee and then the board, which was the best decision of my life! Why did I choose a board year? I don’t enjoy studying, and I’ve never really found it fun, though I’ve always done my best. During my very theoretical master’s in Finance, I ran into two problems. I loved the subject itself, but I didn’t enjoy the studying part, and I didn’t know which career path to pursue—Investment Banking, M&A, Due Diligence—I was really unsure. Then I got a message from Stijn, the former chair, asking if I wanted to grab a coffee, and that’s when things started to fall into place. It turned out to be the perfect opportunity for me because in the role I would take on, I would get in touch with nearly all the finance partners and focus on finance-related events. After considering my parents’ well-thought-out opinions, I realized this was a golden opportunity that I needed to grab with both hands. Plus, it would allow me to improve my management, acquisition, and communication skills. What does your role involve? I’m one of three External Affairs officers at A&F and Economics. However, my responsibilities, apart from the basics, differ quite a bit from those of the summer External Affairs officers at A&F and those at Economics. My role heavily focuses on finance. I organize Private Equity Day and also coordinate the Financial Business Dinner, the Finance Expedition, and the Mergers, Acquisitions, and Private Equity committees. I’m also setting up a new event, the Control Dinner, which is derived from the Financial Business Dinner but focuses on control. At Asset | Tilburg, I’m also part of a body called the Acquisition Meeting, where all the External Affairs officers meet to discuss which partners
A canal house or a tulip after all?
For the Dutch version, click here. Disclaimer: This article does not contain investment advice and only aims to inform and entertain. This article discusses the very first economic bubble. For this we go back to the golden age (17th century). Originally, tulips did not originate from Holland at all, as many believe. They came to the Netherlands through the trade that the Netherlands conducted with Asia. Because of this, tulips were also seen as luxury goods. During this period, the Netherlands was very prosperous, thanks to this international trade, and interest in flowers increased tremendously. During the golden age, status was very important; to increase it, people bought expensive items, including tulips. The Library of Economics and Liberty wrote the following about this: “It was deemed a proof of bad taste in any man of fortune to be without a collection of [tulips].” Partly because of this, the demand, and eventually the price, only continued to rise. Because demand was so high, starting in 1636 it was possible to trade in tulips through the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. In 1637, the tulip price reached its peak; one tulip bulb had the same value as a canal house in Amsterdam. It was also possible to trade in options tulips. Disadvantages of tulips First of all, tulips are particularly fragile and must be grown carefully. Because there was a lot of money to be made in the tulip trade, many growers arose. These growers learned sophisticated techniques to promote the cultivation of tulips. There was even a technique discovered to make a tulip have different colors. These were rarer and therefore worth more money. In addition, tulips did not contain an intrinsic value, which shares do. The intrinsic value of a stock can be calculated by reducing the company’s total assets by its total liabilities and then dividing this by the number of shares outstanding. This can be used to calculate whether a stock is overvalued or undervalued. This method is used by many experts, including Warren Buffett. “What goes up must come down.” Eventually, the tulip bubble burst at the end of 1637. People began trading in tulips using leverage; this involves investors borrowing money to realize returns. These investors often had other debts that they hoped to pay off by making possible high returns on the tulips. When investors were forced to sell tulips to pay other debts, the market began to collapse. So as investors borrowed money to speculate in tulips, this happened very quickly and eventually the bubble burst. What seemed like an easy way to get rich ended in failure for many. Relevance to the present Although the tulip bubble burst almost 400 years ago, the event is still very relevant today. For example, Bitcoin today is regularly compared to this tulip mania. The price of the cryptocurrency is volatile and, like tulips, indeed lacks intrinsic value. In both 2017 and 2021, the value of the cryptocurrency rose unprecedentedly hard only to fall again at least as hard. There are a number of similarities between tulips and Bitcoin. According to Pichet, E (2017) and Taskinsoy, J (2019), both tulips and Bitcoin were only used to speculate. Individuals purchased tulips for the sole purpose of selling it for a higher amount without making rational considerations, the same was true for Bitcoin. Still, there are some differences. First, Bitcoin is scarce, which cannot be said about tulips, which can be grown at any time. In addition, the cryptocurrency is based on the Blockchain. Conclusion The likelihood of a similar bubble occurring in the future will always remain significantly high. People will continue to strive for high status and therefore are looking for a quick way to make money. Thanks to the advent of the Internet, bubbles form a lot faster and as long as people continue to act irrationally, bubbles will continue to form. There are some wise lessons investors can take away from this bubble: Always remain rational. As discussed, financial bubbles occur because people make irrational decisions and, as a result, begin to speculate in investments that they themselves do not understand. As a result, individuals can react emotionally to price changes and subsequently lose a lot of money. Be less concerned with status and don’t compare yourself to others. Instead, it is better to focus on your own (financial) situation. If an investment seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t just borrow money to invest. This makes an investment unnecessarily risky and can have negative consequences as the tulip bubble shows. Sources Hayes, A (2022), Tulipmania: About the Dutch Tulip Bulb Market Bubble. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/dutch_tulip_bulb_market_bubble.asp Is geschiedenis (nd), De tulpengekte tijdens de gouden eeuw. Retrieved from https://isgeschiedenis.nl/nieuws/de-tulpengekte-tijdens-de-gouden-eeuw Pichet, E (2017), The Conversation, Bitcoin: speculative bubble or future value?, Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324660599_Bitcoin_Speculative_Bubble_or_Future_Value Taskinsoy, J (2019), Bitcoin: The Longest Running Mania – Tulips of the 21st Century, Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338009334_Bitcoin_The_Longest_Running_Mania_-Tulips_of_the_21st_Century