Laurens made his way in finance: from bookkeeper to financial controller at TriFinance
21 November 2024Big Four, accountancy firm, or an internal bookkeeping role in a company—when you have finance talent, the possibilities are endless. Laurens Van Steenberge explored all these paths and chose TriFinance, not just once but twice. Curious about his journey from bookkeeping to financial controlling?
- Laurens returned to TriFinance as a boomerang employee after a stint in a permanent role. Coming back felt like coming home to him.
- Bookkeeping as key to impact: Laurens grew through various projects, from AP bookkeeper and GL bookkeeper to roles as a people manager and financial controller.
- With strong support from the TriFinance team, Laurens can fully realize his professional potential.
After completing his studies in accountancy & taxation, Laurens naturally gravitated towards a job in an accountancy firm, inspired by his grandfather’s career as an independent accountant. However, he soon realized he wanted something different—more variety and growth opportunities in finance. After a brief stint at a Big Four firm, Laurens joined TriFinance, where he could develop himself within the dynamics of consultancy.
Boomerang
When Laurens received an offer to take on a permanent position as Head of Accounting at a construction holding company, he eagerly accepted the challenge. Yet, his passion for consultancy and his connection with the TriFinance network proved stronger.
"TriFinance has always made me feel like I belonged, even when I was working elsewhere. The continued contact with both consultants and the internal BaseCamp team kept me involved. Ultimately, returning felt like coming home. Thus, I am now a 'boomerang' at TriFinance.”
Every project brings something new, from industries and company cultures to technologies and workflows. This constant adaptation keeps me sharp and motivated.
Broad bookkeeping knowledge thanks to diverse projects
For Laurens, TriFinance is the perfect setting to apply his skills in a variety of situations and thus broaden his expertise.
“Every project brings something new, from industries and company cultures to bookkeeping systems and workflows. Each time, you learn a lot while also drawing on your prior experience. This keeps me sharp and motivated.”
I have the freedom to choose my own path but never feel alone. That balance is what makes TriFinance so appealing.
Training, mentoring, guidance, and work-life balance
“I really value the support you can count on as a consultant at TriFinance. From career advisor to business manager, everyone in the internal team has the goal to offer you projects that allow you to develop optimally and they support you every step of the way. I’ve come to realize this isn’t the case everywhere.”
Work-life balance is also important to Laurens. “Consultancy is sometimes seen as a career that sacrifices balance, but at TriFinance I don’t experience it that way. There’s enough flexibility to find the balance that fits your personal situation.”
Bookkeeping as a key to understanding companies
Every project fuels Laurens’ passion for numbers. “Finance is the beating heart of a company. The more experience you gain in it, the better you can understand the numbers—and the company itself”, Laurens shares. At TriFinance, he was given exactly the opportunity to build that experience and develop further.
“At TriFinance, you can grow from an AP or AR accountant into a finance management or controlling role with more strategic impact. That growth throughout your projects is what makes it particularly interesting.”
During my last project, I gained deeper insights into how finance can steer a company’s course.
Projects that make an impact
In his most recent project at a multinational retailer, Laurens was involved in a restructuring as financial controller. “My role was to calculate the financial impact of different scenarios. This experience gave me profound insights into the company’s strategic decisions and the importance of accurate financial analyses.”
Laurens also derives great satisfaction from translating financial insights into actionable business advice: “My working week is a success when I have succeeded in summarizing complex financial data clearly and concisely, thus helping to ensure the right decisions are made.”
For Laurens, the journey at TriFinance continues with new challenges and opportunities.
“What’s great about TriFinance is that I can truly grow and make an impact here, in an environment that supports both my professional and personal development. I’m looking forward to future projects and the next steps in my career. It feels good to know I’ve found the right place.”
As a consultant at TriFinance, you’ll have a wide range of career opportunities. From hands-on roles to expert or advisory positions, you can shape your career with the support of our internal BaseCamp team and experienced fellow consultants.
Together, we’ll create the perfect conditions for you to fully develop your career, providing all the tools, support, and guidance you need to seize every opportunity. This way, you can meet—and exceed—your expectations!