Review: Accountancy Tour

On the 9th of May, 25 students had the opportunity to meet the Big Five accountancy firms. The day took place at Van der Valk in Assen, a location for business meetings. Early in the morning we left Groningen by bus to travel to our special location to have our one-day event. After a thirty-minute ride we arrived and of course we started the day with a cup of coffee. It turned out to be warm day, so we already had the opportunity in the morning to drink our coffee on the sunny terrace. In the meantime the five companies prepared their rooms and after the plenary openings speech of the chairman André Bonestroo, the program started.

The participants could get an impression of the daily tasks of an accountant.

The program consisted of working on a case and company-presentations given by the participating firms. The case of the day was about “Hotel de Zandloper” and was intended to walk through all the steps that need to be taken by the accountant in the audit process. This way, the participants could get an impression of the daily tasks of an accountant. In combination with the presentations, the students had the perfect chance to see what awaits them in their future accountancy career.

The main subjects in the first two rounds were determining and preparing the audit-program. Central in this stages were aspects like the conditions of the audit, the focus of the accountant and some special issues that needed extra attention. After the first two rounds it was time for the delicious and luxurious lunch that the restaurant staff of Van der Valk had prepared.

The participants could ask all the questions that they had left in a more informal way.

After everyone had strengthened again, it was time for the next two rounds of the case and presentations. In these two rounds the interim control and the final control were the main themes that had to be determined by the students. After a small coffee break everyone returned to their room for the last part of the case: the completion and the evaluation of the audit. During the sunny coffee break we decided to shorten the last round, so we had more time to enjoy the weather during some drinks at the social. This way, the participants could ask all the questions that they had left in a more informal way.

We are really thankful to the participating companies and the students that have made this day possible. After all, we believe the day was a great success and hope we can keep up working with the Big Five companies in the coming editions of the Accountancy Tour!