Hidde Carol | Consultant Finance Transformation
“We focus primarily on the finance function of an organisation. How do processes work? Where can thi...
We help organisations manage their risks to stay ‘in control’ and remain resilient
Hidde Carol & Linde Jager, Consultants Finance Transformation
What happens behind the scenes in large organisations to ensure the numbers add up, risks stay manageable and the finance function is ready for the future? Within Deloitte’s Finance Transformation team, young consultants work on exactly that challenge every day. Hidde Carol and Linde Jager share what their work looks like in practice, the projects they work on and why they feel so at home in the team.
Hidde Carol (26) is a consultant in the Global Business Services team within Finance Transformation. He joined Deloitte three years ago as a working student and decided to stay. “When I applied, Deloitte immediately felt like the right place”, he says with a smile. And how does he explain his job to friends? “The typical perception of Finance Transformation is mainly about calculations and valuations. But we focus primarily on the finance function of an organisation. How do processes run? Where can things be smarter, faster or clearer?”
That doesn’t mean he spends his entire day building financial models. “People often associate Finance Transformation with calculations and valuations. But our focus is really on the finance function of an organisation. How do processes work? Where can things be done smarter, faster or more clearly?”
One recent project Hidde is working on involves developing a strategy for a large organisation in the mobility sector. “We help define where the finance function wants to go and how to get there. Which processes are needed? What needs to change? The exciting part is that you’re genuinely helping to shape the future of an organisation.”
Helping organisations stay ‘in control’
Linde Jager (26) works within the Risk Control & Internal Audit team. She also joined Deloitte three years ago – through an unexpected route. “Through my neighbour, who works at Deloitte and whose children I used to babysit, I had the opportunity to spend a day at Deloitte. That experience really inspired me to apply.”
While Hidde focuses on finance processes, Linde concentrates on risk and compliance. “We help organisations manage their risks effectively so they can stay ‘in control’ and remain resilient in the face of whatever comes their way. That might be new legislation or regulation, but it could also be rapid growth.”
One project she is particularly proud of involved helping an organisation establish a risk function from scratch. “They didn’t have one at all, so we helped build it from the ground up. You start by asking: who should take on this role? What policies are needed? What risks are relevant? Organisations sometimes aren’t even aware of the full range of risks they face. It’s rewarding when you can help create that awareness.”
In another project, she helped a telecoms company implement new legislation. “We designed a process that enables them to look ahead to upcoming regulations and clearly assign responsibilities. As a result, they can anticipate new requirements earlier and ensure they remain compliant in time.”
Linde Jager | Consultant Finance Transformation
‘Organisaties zijn zich soms niet eens bewust van alle risico’s die ze lopen. Het is mooi als je hel...
A look behind the scenes at different organisations
A typical working week is varied. Both consultants spend one or two days a week on site with clients, while the remaining days are spent working from the Deloitte office or from home. “You often start with check-ins”, Linde explains. Such moments call for organisation-wide collaboration — from business analysts to project manager and the CFO — so the team gains broader insight and realises more impact. “Where are we in the project? What does everyone need? Alongside that, you work on presentations in PowerPoint or analyses in Excel and regularly discuss ideas with colleagues.”
Hidde adds: “When we’re with the client, we often organise workshops to move things forward. Afterwards you translate the outcomes into concrete plans and deliverables. I really enjoy the project-based nature of the work – you get a glimpse inside many different organisations.”
What surprised them most when they started? “The openness”, says Hidde. “You might expect a large organisation to feel quite hierarchical, but partners and directors are actually very approachable. It’s easy to share ideas.” Linde agrees. “The atmosphere in the team is professional but also very friendly. We have lunch together and organise activities outside work. It feels like a kind of professional friendship.”
Development and impact
Personal development is an important part of working at Deloitte. Alongside her job, Linde completed a post-master programme one day a week. “That’s fully supported. There are also plenty of training opportunities and courses. If you’re proactive, there are countless possibilities.”
There is also room to contribute to society. Through the Deloitte Impact Foundation, employees can spend one percent of their working time on social initiatives. “For example, we organised a collection campaign for clothes and books”, says Linde. Hidde adds: “And I will be helping secondary school students practise job interviews and prepare their CVs. Initiatives like that give your work an extra dimension.”
He also highlights the healthy work–life balance. “There’s a lot of flexibility to organise your week in a way that works for you.”
Why choose Finance Transformation?
For anyone considering applying to the team, Hidde and Linde have a clear message. “If you’re curious and want to learn how finance really works within organisations, this is the right place”, says Hidde. Linde adds: “And if you want to help organisations deal with risk in a world that’s constantly changing, this is an incredibly interesting place to work. You learn a lot, take on responsibility early and become part of a close-knit team.”
Choose your impact
We would like to get to know who you are and what sets you apart. At Deloitte, we believe that our differences contribute to the best outcomes for our clients. Introduce yourself and apply for this vacancy. We would be happy to offer guidance on how to combine AI responsibly with your unique strengths so that your application genuinely reflects you.