When Reanda Netherlands started its firm in Amsterdam seven years ago, it was always clear that the firm would focus on international companies. Henk Stokman, audit partner, talks about how Reanda grew to become a diverse firm and building a relationship with both the clients and the team.
When Henk started at Reanda three years ago as senior manager, he entered a relatively small firm with a team of twenty-five people. “The team was already quite diverse, but in the two years that followed we’ve had a significant growth. We grew from twenty-five to sixty-five people and the team is really diverse now. We keep on growing, getting more clients, getting more people. This brings an exciting vibe and that’s why it’s great working here.”
A niche in the market
Henk joined Reanda wanting to develop himself and make a contribution to a growing audit firm with a more international focus on group audits and transnational audits. “That’s actually the sweet spot of the company. There are so many international companies based in the Netherlands looking for an auditor. Most of the time it’s hard for them to get a good fit with an auditor. Sometimes it’s just about something as simple as being able to pick up the phone in English, but language is just one thing. It’s also about understanding the business, how it’s structured, why they are in the Netherlands and what they are looking for.”
“We are one big team, it’s who we are. It’s not about building a special service.”
Getting a good fit
“I think we can make a difference for international companies,” Henk continues, “because we don’t just offer international audits as a service. We don’t just have ‘an international team’. We were built as an international team, it’s our nature. Now that we’ve grown a lot I think we cover most languages and there’s always someone versed in the culture or structure of a company. We had a client in Peru who had arranged for a translator, but there was no need because one of our team members spoke Spanish. I think that’s a good example of how we can serve our clients and be a good fit for them.”
International dynamics
Being a good fit is all about client contact; having conversations with people at the client’s and building a relationship with them. “Most of us got into accounting because it was something we’re good at. It may not be the most glamorous job, but what I think is really interesting about it is how many contacts we have with clients around the world and we’re speaking with various people. And since this is a team effort, all roles are involved in the process; we introduce our assistants to the people they are going to meet and involve them to see the dynamics in a company between the top management, the finance and other departments. Because you need to know the whole company and we have meetings with a lot of people.”
The relationship with your team
As audit partner Henk takes the lead in the communication with the client but also has a responsibility for leading the audit team. “I think we need to lead by example. I want to be there for my team, show how I’d like to do things, and treat everyone how they would like to be treated. That way the team can see my leadership style and they can adapt to what they like. My role is to make sure everyone is part of the team. Personally, I believe in real personal contact. Doing things together, keeping everyone involved. Reach out to the team every day to see what they need and make sure my team members feel heard. Sometimes you need to challenge someone to get a response, that’s my role. Everyone is different. Now that we’re growing, I think it’s interesting that we are seeing more different personalities within the firm.”
“My role is to make sure everyone is part of the team.”
Collective wisdom
The diversity at the firm in nationalities and personalities is what makes Reanda tick and what makes them keep growing as an organization. “We learn from each other every day. We call it ‘collective wisdom’. It means working together as a team and learning from each other’s experiences. That’s why open communication is so important; we want people comfortable enough to speak up, be part of team discussions so we can learn every day. You are not alone here. We are working together, we want you to share things. I think that’s what makes it who we are and what gives us our unique position in the Netherlands.”
