Trude van Aalst

"After finishing high school I choose to study Economics and Business at the Universiteit van Amsterdam. One of the reasons for choosing this study was that the first year of this study offers a very diverse programme so you get to learn a lot of aspects of economy and business. This made it possible for me to learn that my interest lies with the courses connected to accounting. The next years of the study the programmes were more specific, I choose the ones related to Accountancy & Control."

"In the course of my study I learned a lot about myself and about how I could fit in in the Accountancy & Control field. Every year of my study I was getting a bit more certain that this study is what I really want. The following points will explain why I was getting more certain about the study and have ensured that I chose the Accountancy & Control Master:"

- The courses I followed in the Bachelor were interesting
- The Bachelor thesis provided more depth in interesting areas of accountancy & control and the supervision of the Bachelor thesis was well organised.
- The UvA offered familiarisation days with accounting firms, which were informative and interesting. They made it possible to make an appointment with an accountant and to spend a day with the accountant. During this day I have learned what the normal working day of an accountant is like.
- I got a job at the University as student assistant within the Financial Accounting department.
- I read accountancy magazines

"Now it is my fourth year studying and I have started the Accountancy & Control Master. The courses are mostly following up on the courses in the Bachelor, but they are more in-depth and more specifically related to Accountancy & Control. We have to read a lot of papers and write many essays, which is good for developing the analytical and scientific skills."

"Besides all this, half a year ago I started working two days a week at the Dutch Accounting Standards Board. I think it is important to get familiarised and confident with the real working world and develop additional skills there. After my graduation I would like to work at an accounting firm and take the Post-Master’s Accountancy programme. The prospects for the future are good so that is reassuring!"