Harm Borrie

Corporate Finance | Rotterdam

‘Looking at the future from a financial perspective.’

Harm Borrie was born in Rotterdam and studied Business Economics in Maastricht. He is, among other things, Deputy Chairman of the Europe, Middle East and Africa region of the Alliott Group, the international network of which Borrie forms part.

Harm spends his free time on the water, in the snow or in the kitchen. When he is working, he thinks only of his clients. ‘They must truly feel that it’s all about them. In our profession, we do that by looking at the future from a financial perspective, together with them. A proactive attitude is essential here because you are always thinking in terms of solutions. I find it really exciting to tackle issues and themes on this basis, together with colleagues and clients. It’s even more fun if international projects and clients are involved. A good education and the necessary experience naturally form the basis for good advice. But only if you have the right attitude towards your clients does that advice gain the added value that makes it all worthwhile at Borrie.’

Maarten Borrie

Tax advice | Rotterdam

Maarten Borrie received his Masters Decree Tax Law after graduating at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam in 1998, and is employed by BORRIE as per 2011. After graduating in 1998, he started his working career as a general tax lawyer in the tax practice of KPMG Meijburg & Co in Rotterdam. The main focus of the clientele at that time was aimed at nationally operating enterprises. After starting in the national tax practice, the focus was shifted more and more towards multinational operating enterprises. The transfer pricing aspects of multinational operating enterprises became the specialty of Maarten. Within KPMG Meijburg & Co, he worked – often as part of internationally composed and multi disciplinary advisory teams – as an advisor for larger multinationals on transfer pricing questions. This included amongst others he design and implementation of transfer pricing policies as well as agreeing the arm’s length nature of these policies with the Tax offices.

“A lack of personal touch and direct contact with privately owned businesses became aspects of the international tax advisory function that I missed more and more in my day to day activities. This eventually resulted in my transfer to BORRIE after having worked for KPMG Meijburg & Co for 12 years.”

“The good mix between smaller and larger, national and internationally operating clients of BORRIE assures a daily inspiring and always challenging tax advisory environment. A successful tax consultant nowadays is not only up to date on his own specialty, but also on directly surrounding areas. The fun part of BORRIE is that tax consultants work directly together with other financial experts on a day to day basis enabling the best optimal service for our clients. It is my ambition to translate our knowledge and expertise into sound and clear advise towards our clients. In that way, relationships can grow that keep creating value.”

Diana Clement

Accountancy | Amsterdam

‘Adding value and giving direction.’

Diana Clement has been working in accountancy for over twenty-five years. She focused on SMEs and started her own office in Amsterdam in 2000. In 2008, this office was integrated into Borrie’s branch in the Dutch capital.

Diana not only has business ambitions, but also administrative ones. ‘That’s why I am not only a partner, but also a member of the Executive Board of Borrie. I enjoy adding value to the organisation by giving direction to the future. That’s also why I have been on the board of the SRA since December 2011. This is an organisation for independent accountancy firms. I am concerned, among other things, with the SRA quality mark, a way of making entrepreneurs aware of the quality of the affiliated firms. To me, accountancy is the best profession there is. What drives me is the knowledge that things can always be improved and that clients only benefit from your services if you know what’s going on in the world; in the real world and in their world. In this way, you can support them. In both word and deed.’

Fokko van Dijk

Accountancy | Amsterdam

‘Not only the figures, but also the story that goes with them.’

Fokko van Dijk is an aeronautical engineer. He also studied business administration at Nyenrode and trained as a chartered accountant. Up to 2006, he worked as an accountant and adviser at an international accountancy firm. He then became financial director of a global chemical concern. Fokko has been a partner at Borrie since 2010.

‘I am passionate about using my technical and business administration background, combined with my experience in the business world, in the work I do for clients so that they feel they are dealing with an adviser who not only looks at the figures, but also really understands the story that goes with them. In the relationship with clients, I think it’s important to work with them on the basis of trust and integrity. Clients must know that they can trust you blindly and count on you. The complexity of doing business is increasing and entrepreneurs want to be relieved of the worry, a role I particularly want to play.’

François Flooren

Accountancy | Rotterdam

‘You do business together with the client.’

François Flooren was with Ernst & Young for over twelve years, involved in auditing practice. He has been working at Borrie for the past ten years, the last eight years as partner. François has applied himself to the non-profit sector, among other things. His clients include museums and various foundations in the welfare and reintegration field.

François takes a keen interest in his clients’ affairs. ‘Naturally, you must be available for your clients, but that isn’t enough. You must be close to them, in both the business and personal sense. There’s a big difference between giving someone advice on demand and doing business together with the client In the latter case, you build up a relationship of trust, which noticeably improves your involvement and therefore the quality of the service you provide. Clients must realise that you are there for them as a confidential business representative and as a skilled adviser. You must allow this awareness to grow if you are to reap the rewards.’

Hans Kraak

Accountancy | Rotterdam

‘In this line of work, you must be able to, and dare to, say anything.’

Hans Kraak has been with Borrie since 1988. He became a partner in 2001 and joined the Executive Board in 2004. Alongside his role on the board, he works as an all-rounder, mainly involved with SMEs.

Hans Kraak is direct in his discussions with others. ‘In this line of work, you must be able to, and dare to, say anything. It’s all about the facts. Not the nice words you package them in. That’s why it’s so important that you can trust one another. Because only then do you have the courage to tell someone the truth and is the other party willing to listen to it. In order to achieve that, I believe you must always be there for your client. And, as far as I’m concerned, you can take that ‘always’ literally. I want to be a sounding board for my clients. Complex issues should be completely transparent once you have talked about them together. This enables entrepreneurs to make the decisions that are right for them. When it comes to both business and private worries.’

Maurice Kruidenier

Tax Advice | Rotterdam

‘We seek the limits, but we don’t overstep them.’

Maurice Kruidenier studied Dutch and Fiscal Law at Erasmus University. In 2001, he was asked to set up Borrie’s tax department. He is also active in the Alliott Group, as a member of the World Wide Tax Committee.

Every taxpayer not only has obligations, but also possibilities. Maurice Kruidenier is concerned with both. ‘Anyone who does business internationally is involved with foreign buyers, suppliers, perhaps with subsidiaries or other interests abroad. That not only creates fiscal complications, but also opportunities. Personally, I enjoy talking to clients about more than just taxation. It helps you get to know someone better and that, in turn, helps you to give them the right advice. And, if possible, this advice must ensure that we pay for ourselves, as it were. We go to great lengths here. Let’s say that we seek the limits without overstepping them’.

Frank Post

Tax Advice | Amsterdam

‘On the interface between the private and business sphere.’

Frank Post started with BDO after gaining his HEAO qualification (higher education in economics and management). After studying fiscal law at the University of Amsterdam, he applied himself to advising SMEs. In 2006, he moved to Borrie.

‘As all-round tax adviser, I advise a large number of owner-director and wealthy private individuals. I am also the person people come to with questions about pensions and business succession. If that’s your role, you must be able to serve as discussion partner on the interface between the private and business sphere. I want to make my clients feel that they can always count on me and that they can entrust their financial affairs to me with confidence. Communication and trust are naturally the keywords in that case. Apart from that, I find it fascinating to convey what I know to colleagues and clients, and I never give up until I’ve found the solution.’

Marco Schreurs

Accountancy | Amsterdam

‘Tackling that forest of rules and regulations together with your client.’

Marco Schreurs has been working in accountancy since 1991. Marco has experience in the compiling and auditing side of the business and is also at home in issues relating to business economics, financing applications and the evaluation of business plans.

Marco Schreurs is less concerned with the figures than with their translation. ‘Without an explanation they can understand, these figures are of no use to clients. You must therefore try to communicate as clearly as possible, and that begins by listening carefully to your client’s questions and wishes. In addition to this, you must not only show your commitment, but also feel it. Service is always the main thing. I want to offer a helping hand in that forest of rules and regulations associated with reporting and fiscal aspects. It’s a challenge to support clients in the development of their business. My added value must lie in limiting the risks for the business and supporting opportunities the entrepreneur sees. I want to be a ‘walking encyclopaedia’, and wherever possible earn money for the client.’

Maarten Jan Verhoeve

Accountancy | Rotterdam

‘Dynamic and creative but, most of all, focused and thorough.’

Maarten Jan Verhoeve studied business economics and accountancy at Erasmus University. He has worked in accountancy for the past twenty years, the last eighteen of which at Borrie. He is currently involved with auditing and compilation work and is, thanks to his experience, an all-rounder in a variety of branches.

Maarten Jan Verhoeve is a no-nonsense thinker and doer. ‘Clarity and thoroughness are the main things; if they are preceded by creative and dynamic analysis, of course. How well you know the client and his wishes and needs is decisive for an enduring relationship. In our profession, you must not try to lay down the law to your clients: their business and their situation determine the direction in which you seek the solution. You are a partner in business. And precisely that degree of involvement ensures that you can act with vigour. Long-term relationships with your clients are the underlying aim.’