Broaden your horizons in the Finance department at KLM
At KLM’s Finance Department, there are countless directions you can take. Take, for example, colleagues Wilmar Burgman and Jessica Hogervorst: both have experienced impressive growth in their careers. Wilmar joined us from a Big 4 firm, then got to know the entire company as an Internal Auditor at KLM, and quickly advanced to become a Senior Finance Business Analyst. Jessica has worked at KLM for almost 30 years and has seen nearly every aspect of our organization. She is now Business Controller and manager of one of our business units. Be inspired by their remarkable stories.
Wilmar Burgman – Senior Finance Business Analyst
“I studied to become a Registered Accountant and started my career at one of the Big 4 firms,” says Wilmar. “After six years, I wanted to move into the corporate world, so I decided to make the switch to KLM in 2022. I started as an Internal Auditor in the Finance Department, where I reviewed various internal processes: from sales to procurement, and from warehouse management to commercial processes and fraud cases.”
Taking a closer look at processes
“During an audit, you assess the documentation of processes and, together with colleagues, conduct various interviews,” says Wilmar. “Based on such an investigation, you identify the risks and areas for improvement in a process. All observations are compiled in a report, including a classification: low, medium, or high risk. Based on this, the division creates an action plan to mitigate those risks.”
It’s not a role you would immediately expect to find within Finance. “I think many people are not familiar with this role, or they mistakenly believe you need a background in Finance.”
From Transavia to the Aviation School
“Some people are afraid that, as an Internal Auditor, you don’t make an impact,” Wilmar continues. “But I don’t agree with that. On the contrary: your role is actually very important.” According to him, this is the perfect position to really get to know KLM. “Every six to eight weeks, you start a new project within the company. In three years, I worked in many departments—think of catering services (KCS), Fuel, Transavia, and even at the aviation school. I also sat at the table with people high up in the organization. That way, I learned to communicate at management level and built up a huge network.”
“After three years, I came to the conclusion that I had learned everything I wanted. I don’t like it when things get too routine; I need to be challenged. So when a vacancy for Business Analyst in the Corporate Control division came up, I decided to apply. Luckily, I was hired.”
Full-time Finance
“We collect financial data from all divisions within KLM,” Wilmar explains. “At the moment, we are gathering capital investment plans for the next five years. We compare those to the available funding resources. In addition, we are currently in the budgeting period, in which we map out all expected income and expenditures for the coming five years. We report on this to management, the CFO, and the Supervisory Board. I make sure that our CEO, Marjan Rintel, receives a one-pager every month with the most important information.” He laughs: “So, it’s a real hardcore finance role! I’m learning a lot here—about internal systems, strategic decisions, and budgeting. I’m really being challenged again. And this is a great stepping stone to a new role, like Business Controller or Financial Controller.”
A plan before coffee
His advice to colleagues who also want to move up? “Don’t just randomly have coffee with hiring managers or supervisors; first, think about which direction you want to take. Once you know that, you can approach people in the organization in a targeted way.Wilmar
If you go into an interview, it’s smart to ask yourself in advance: what do I want to learn, and what can I contribute? That way, you can steer the conversation in that direction. Personally, I find that first contact with a manager very important: is there a click? That says a lot.”
Jessica Hogervorst – Business Controller RE&FC
“I have been working at KLM for 27 years,” says Jessica. “In 1998, I started with the Finance Traineeship. After that, I did all kinds of things: I began in Network Planning and Flight Operations, and then became a Business Controller. In that role, I worked in various departments: Fleet Services, E-commerce, Engineering & Maintenance—you name it.”
From renovations to plant care
For the past four years, Jessica has been working in the business unit Real Estate and Facility Contracting (RE&FC). “We are responsible for the management and maintenance of all buildings. Think of cargo warehouses, office buildings, hangars, logistics centers, and the crew center. We take care of everything: from rental contracts to catering, and from utilities to cleaning. Right now, we’re busy with a new simulator hall and the renovation of hangar 10. But we also make sure, for example, that the plants in the office are taken care of, and that the walkways are gritted when there’s frost.”
As Business Controller, Jessica is the manager of the Finance department of RE&FC. She is financially responsible for all CAPEX projects (warehouses and buildings) and OPEX projects (facility services). “Since COVID, the role of the office has changed enormously. That’s why having a good real estate strategy is very important. The RE&FC department helps KLM with this, using our financial insights.”
Pick up the phone
According to Jessica, KLM encourages you to grow within the company. “If you’re unsure which role suits you, you can always discuss it with a direct colleague or your manager. There’s a lot possible here, but you do have to take initiative yourself,” she emphasizes. “If I’ve been in a job for about five years and feel I’m ready for something new, I start thinking about my next step: what do I want to develop in? Then I check the internal vacancies. If something excites me, I start calling around. I always like to speak to someone, because a vacancy text is always a bit flat—I want to know what really makes a certain role so enjoyable.”
Thriving in Finance
I especially want to tell women: never be afraid to apply. Don’t ask yourself why you wouldn’t be qualified for a position. If you don’t meet all the requirements, you probably have other qualities that are valuable.Jessica
“Many women also think that Finance is a male-dominated field, but that’s certainly not the case everywhere. And there’s so much more possible here than you might think. I myself was a Process Controller for a while. Most people wouldn’t expect a role like that in this department.”
