Erwin Haring, consultant, says:
‘Ton shares everything but his PIN…’
Erwin Haring is deputy director. He is Ton Koebolt’s financial help and stay, both privately and professionally. ‘Ton shares everything but his PIN. And he should, or I couldn’t advise him optimally.’ Their relationship goes beyond annual accounts or ideas about the succession, one day. ‘That is what makes it interesting, learning from each other. I learn things from Ton, for instance about his entrepreneurial approach. It’s what makes you a pro.’
Intrigued
The fact that Erwin Haring is working at Brouwer & Oudhof is just because of a personal connection. ‘When Brouwer & Oudhof came into the picture, the name didn’t ring a bell, really. Then I had an interview with Nico …. There was something about him. He intrigued me. He hired me and I considered him my mentor. Sadly, he has passed away, but his picture is still on my desk.’ Nico … is the link between Ton Koebolt and Erwin Haring as well. ‘Nico had been handling Ton’s business finances for years. At some point, Ton needed advice about buying a new house. That is when Nico invited me along. Over the years I specialized in financial planning, so this was just up my alley. Finding out how to organize matters as pleasantly as possible, both financially and tax-wise. Thinking ahead, that’s what I like.’
Drive
Erwin has been busy supplementing his professional skills since 1996. ‘I was hired by this renowned firm of accountants without knowing much about business accounting at all. I had just finished the MEAO. But I said: “I want this opportunity and I know that I can do it.”’ Erwin was hired and gave it his all. ‘I took accounting courses in the evening: PD Accounting, Modern Business Administration. Then I did SPD 1 and 2, in two years. It’s just a matter of shutting yourself in and getting those certificates. At that point, I came at a crossroad. I found out that tax work appeals to me more than the annual accounts. They are mostly about looking back. Tax work is about looking ahead. A friend of mine inspired me to look into financial planning. Eventually, I even obtained my Master’s degree from Erasmus University.’
Stories
In the end, Erwin is primarily interested in the story behind the numbers. ‘You could teach a monkey the numbers. But what can you do with them? I tell Ton to think about his succession now, even though he has just turned 50. I keep him from the pitfalls that many managing directors and majority shareholders walk into. Such as thinking that just concluding an antenuptial agreement suffices. But unless you keep up with the settlements, the agreement lapses, so to speak. Which means that you will have to pay up in the unhoped-for event that your relationship ends. I wanted to work at Brouwer & Oudhof because I can include all these aspects in my work. See the whole picture. I love to see how everyone’s at his place here. I feel that that’s the main thing. If everyone wants to be a director, it doesn’t work. You learn from each other. From your clients and from your colleagues at the office.’
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