Meet Our Team
Eric J. Vesseur RA (1962), Managing Partner of Baker Tilly in the Dutch Caribbean. Eric has obtained his accountancy degree in 1992. He has been partner of Baker Tilly Curaçao since 1996. Formerly, Eric worked at KPMG in the Netherlands Antilles as well as in the Netherlands. Eric has acquired wide experience in the area of auditing and consulting in a broad range of economic sectors such as financial services industry, insurance, IT, telecom, wholesale and retail. Eric is a former and active board member of several professional institutions.
Frank A.C. Groenewegen AA (1967), Partner. Frank started his career in accountancy 30 years ago in the Netherlands and has gained extensive experience in advising small and medium sized entities and non-profit organizations in practically all industries. Before he joined our firm in 2009 he has worked as a manager and partner in the Netherlands and during a 3-year period as senior-manager of Ernst & Young on Curaçao. He has specialized in CFO On Demand services, advising family owned businesses, reviews of financial forecasts and business valuations.
Natalie Haitsma (1980), Audit Manager, joined Baker Tilly Curacao in September 2011. She started her career at KPMG in The Netherlands and worked there for seven years. In 2009 she finished her RA education at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Natalie has extensive experience with audits in the following branches: Aircraft development and production; Construction; Government and Education institutes; Healthcare institutes; Insurance companies, Pension Funds, Retail and Transportation.
Natalie gained experience with the following types of assignments:
• Audit and review of financial statements;
• Non profit audits;
• EDP Audit;
• Rates and Cost surveys;
• Compliance audits;
• Interim bookkeeping support.
Since May 2012 Natalie is a Board member of the Dutch Caribbean Accountants Association in the function of treasurer and she is chairman of the commission of the Young Professionals Dutch Caribbean.
The personal values of Natalie are commitment to quality, result driven, excellent communicative skills, teamplayer.
Arjen Pool, Audit Manager, works at Baker Tilly in Curaçao since 2002. He started his career at Ernst & Young Accountants in The Netherlands and worked several years as a financial controller for a retail and real estate company. He obtained a Master of Science in Accounting with a major in Register Accountant. Arjen has lots of experience with audit and advisory at both public and semi-public companies, financial institutions (hedge funds and investment companies) in the offshore branch in the Dutch Caribbean and gaming companies (online and land-based).
Freeney Felicia (1978), Audit Manager, started her career at a local audit firm. After working 1.5 year at this firm she moved to the Netherlands. She worked for 9 years at Baker Tilly Berk in the Netherlands and studied at Nyenrode Business University where she obtained her Master in science degree in 2011. She joined Baker Tilly in Curacao at the end of 2011 and finished the ‘Register Accountant’ study in the beginning of 2014. Freeney has gained experience with audits in the following branches: retail, construction, education institutes, lawyers and Healthcare institutes. She has also gained experience with assignments regarding:Compliance audits;Non profit audits; Review of financial statements; Compilation of financial statements and Interim bookkeeping support.
Adriënne Noor studied Bedrijfseconomie and Accountancy, Auditing & Control at Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Adriënne is currently pursuing her Post-master Register Accountant, via University of Tilburg. Adriënne started her professional career in Audit & Assurance in 2014 at Deloitte Dutch Caribbean and after 3.5 years she joined Baker Tilly. Adriënne has experience within several industries, including financial institutions, oil companies and utility companies.
Ariana Alvarez-Ariza, Senior Assistant Accountant, has obtained her Bachelor degree in Business Administration at the Rotterdam School of Management (Rotterdam University). She then proceeded with her Master in Business Administration with specialization in Accounting and financial management.
In the beginning of 2014 she moved to Curacao and started her career at KPMG Dutch Caribbean and Suriname as part of the audit team. After 3 years at KPMG she proceeded with her career at Baker Tilly Curaçao in June 2017.
Ariana is currently studying for the International Post Master Accountancy degree, also known as RA, via the University of Tilburg.
Nicole Rödel AA (1984), Supervisor, joined Baker Tilly Dutch Caribbean in February 2017. Nicole has completed her post Bachelor AA at the Hogeschool Arnhem in The Netherlands. She has extensive experience in compilation. Nicole has the ambition to continue to grow in the business support and to help out and provide guidance with her knowledge and experience.
Vanity Lucas joined our team in March 2018 as Assistant Accountant. She recently moved back to Curacao where she was born. In 2018 she will start studying for her Master’s degree in Accountancy. Vanity is fluent in Dutch, English, Papiamentu and Spanish. Vanity is very eager to learn and is looking forward to building her professional career within Baker Tilly. She is very ambitious and intends to become a certified accountant. When not at work, Vanity loves to cook. Also, she loves to go to the beach to relax, swim or scuba dive.
Lis-Marina Felix Pita joined Baker Tilly in Curaçao as Assistant Accountant in January 2019 and has a Bachelor's degree in Business & Economics.
Lis-Marina graduated nominal at the University of Curacao in 2018. She takes pleasure into executing each task to the best of her abilities, while she always keeps an open ear for constructive feedback. In 2019 she will start studying for her master’s degree in Accountancy. Lis-Marina is fluent in Dutch, English, Papiamentu, Portuguese, and Spanish. Lis-Marina is very eager to learn and is looking forward to building her professional career within Baker Tilly.
Victor Bergisch RA (1964), Partner, started his career in 1988 at KPMG in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He graduated as Registeraccountant in 1997 at NIVRA-Nyenrode and in that year he moved to Curaçao to be employed at KPMG Curaçao. He joined Baker Tilly Dutch Caribbean mid 2011. Victor has gained extensive experience in the financial services industry in the Netherlands Antilles, especially in banks, insurance companies and pension funds, as well as telecommunication and holding & finance companies.
She joined Baker Tilly in Curacao in the beginning of 2013 and has finished her post Master Register Accountant at ICUC Curaçao in the beginning of 2014.
Tatiana Dijkers CPA
Raisa Ricardo, Audit Senior, has obtained her Bachelor degree in Business Economics in 2012 at the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. She worked for a couple of years in the Netherlands and returned to Curaçao in 2014 to work on the Assurance Team of PwC Dutch Caribbean. After having gained experience at PwC Dutch Caribbean, she started her career at Baker Tilly in Curaçao in April 2017.
Raisa has gained experience on audit engagements by working on different local and international clients, which includes large port company, education institutes in Bonaire, trading company, non-profit organizations, foundations and Healthcare institutes.
Kyri has gained experience in financial auditing by working on a broad range of local and international clients, including those in the retail sector, financial sector, off shores, hospitality sector, not-for-profit organizations and government owned entities.
He is fluent in Dutch, English, Papiamentu and speaks Spanish.
Marit Kuiper (1993), Senior Assistant Accountant, joined Baker Tilly in September 2015. She studied Business Administration at the Hanzehogeschool Groningen and she obtained her bachelor degree in 2015. Marit did her internships at KPMG St. Maarten and Papagayo (located at Curaçao). After completing her studies she decided to return to Curaçao. Marit is currently studying for the post Bachelor AA at the Inter-Continental University of the Caribbean.
Claire Föllings
Claire Föllings, Supervisor, joined Baker Tilly in January 2019. She started her career at a local audit firm in the Netherlands in 2014 and worked there for 4,5 years. She studied at Nyenrode Business University where she obtained her Post Master's degree in 2018. In continuation for the RA-title she started the practical training in December 2018. Claire has experience in industries such as food production, technical innovation, retail, health care, non-profit organizations and several government-owned entities.
Harmon Hansen (1988), Senior Assistant Accountant, graduated from the University of Curaçao with a Bachelor’s degree in Auditing and Controlling. In 2011 Harmon started his professional career at Stichting BAB where he gained experience in a wide range of fiscal matters and tax audits. In the beginning of 2015 he started working at KPMG Dutch Caribbean where he gained experience on audit engagements in various industries which include large local government entities, healthcare, trust and retail. Harmon joined Baker Tilly in Curacao in January 2018 and is active in the audit practice. He is fluent in English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamentu. He is currently pursuing his CPA degree.
Stephanie Poussin (1989), Assistant Accountant, obtained her bachelor degree in Science in Accountancy and Controlling at the University of Curaçao (UoC) in 2014. After her graduation she worked as Junior Assistant Accountant at Accountantskantoor H.G.M. Jourdain B.V. Working at this accounting firm she gained experiences in auditing and compilation of financial statement and also bookkeeping. Stephanie joined Baker Tilly in March 2017. In September 2017 she started with her master in accounting at the University of Curaçao.
Raniër Verginie, Assistant Accountant, has obtained his Bachelor degree in Accounting in 2016 at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen. Having lived in the Netherlands for almost 7 years, he returned to Curaçao to work on the Assurance Team of PwC Dutch Caribbean. After two years of having gained experience at PwC Dutch Caribbean, he started his career at Baker Tilly Curaçao in August 2018.
Ranier has done internships at EY Dutch Caribbean and Guardian Group Fatum. On audit engagements he has gained experience by working on different local and international clients, which includes airports, financial institutions, educational institutions, a chain supermarket, a law firm, non-profit organizations, foundations and healthcare institutes.
Arthur C. van Aalst, Tax Partner, obtained his law degree from the University Leiden in 1998. He has a master in Direct Taxation and Tax Advocacy. In addition, Arthur followed several JD and LL.M courses at the University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. In 1999, Arthur joined the law firm NautaDutilh as tax attorney. He worked for NautaDutilh’s offices in Rotterdam and New York. Arthur also worked as tax lawyer for RSM Niehe Lancée Kooy and Ernst&Young and developed himself as a specialist in the field of international tax law and legal tax proceedings.
Arthur is the author of several legal articles in Dutch tax journals and the Dutch Financial Times and knows exactly how to convert difficult tax legislation or tax science into practical advices. Arthur specializes in the taxation aspects of:
– the organization and reorganization of international groups;
– the (re-)financing of loans;
– mergers and acquisitions
– the purchase, sale or renting of real estate;
– international transactions; and
– due diligence, (second) opinions and transfer pricing issues.
In addition, Arthur has a wide experience in the field of legal tax proceedings; from the local court up to and including the Supreme Court.
She is currently finalizing her master degree. She worked as tax trainee at Deloitte and PwC Curaçao.
Valeska joined Baker Tilly in Curacao in 2016 and is active in the tax compliance.
Valeska is fluent in Dutch, Spanish, English and Papiamentu.
Wilco van Oosten RB (1965), manager compliance/tax adviser local market. Wilco started his professional career in 1990 with Coopers & Lybrand (nowadays PwC) in Utrecht, the Netherlands. In 1997 he moved to St. Maarten for a period of 6 years. In January 2007 he returned to the Netherlands Antilles and joined Baker Tilly Curaçao. Wilco is responsible for the compliance practice and all tax advice generated from this practice. He is also specialized in tax advice with respect to the fiscal aspects of pension schemes.
Anjli A. Finessi, Tax Partner, obtained her Master’s degree in Fiscal Law from the University of Amsterdam in 2002 and her AB from Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, U.S.A., in 1990. Between college and law school, Anjli worked in the International Banking Department of Coudert Brothers, a law firm in New York City, and in the international tax department of Price Waterhouse in Tokyo, Japan. Anjli interned at Loyens & Loeff Curaçao in 1999 and was asked to join the firm as a tax adviser in 2000 while finishing her degree in the Netherlands. During that time, Anjli also interned at the Loyens & Loeff Amsterdam and Rotterdam offices. In 2005 she left Loyens & Loeff to join MeesPierson Intertrust in Curaçao where she stayed until 2008.
While at MeesPierson Intertrust, Anjli acquired extensive knowledge of corporate and fiduciary services. She re-joined Loyens & Loeff in 2008 as Senior Associate Tax for both Curaçao and Aruba where she specialized in international corporate and personal (re)structuring, structured loans and (re)financing, aircraft leasing and cross-border asset protection and estate planning, with a particular focus on Latin American High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) and so-called multi-Latinas (international conglomerates established and operating mainly in Central and South America and the Caribbean).
Anjli is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and is fluent in written and spoken English, Spanish, Dutch and Italian.
Maria Agatha-Chan (1973), Tax Compliance Associate, studied Finance and Control at the HES in Amsterdam. She started her career in the banking and finance industry working for Aegon and ING Bank in the Netherlands. After 20 years of professional working experience in the Dutch financial markets, Maria moved to Curaçao and joined Baker Tilly in Curacao in 2010. Maria provides tax compliance services and is responsible for database management.
Militza is fluent in Dutch, English, Spanish and Papiamentu.
Charel Verheggen (1989), Tax Advisor, obtained her bachelor degree in Fiscal Law and Economics from the University of Curaçao in 2014. In 2012 Charel started her professional career as a tax assistant with a small tax firm in Curacao. In 2013 she worked as tax trainee at the law firm Spigt Dutch Caribbean. Charel joined Baker Tilly Curaçao in 2014 and is active in the tax compliance and tax advice practice and she is a specialist in the field of wage tax and social security premiums. Charel is fluent in Dutch and English.
Erik van Engelen (1979) joined Baker Tilly in February 2018 as a Senior Manager. He studied at the University of Groningen and obtained a Master of Science degree in Auditing. Erik started his career at PwC in Curaçao in 2003 with a focus on Financial Services. He finished his RA education at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam and moved back to the Netherlands in 2008 and joined the international business unit of PwC in Amsterdam with Schiphol Airport and TNT Post as most important clients. After seven years of auditing he began to work for the Kingdom Government as a financial supervisor on the Islands of the former Antilles (College financieel toezicht) from 2010 – 2015, on both Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Prior to joining our firm he worked for Flynth in the Netherlands as a Compliance Officer.
Erik gained experience with the following types of assignments/clients:
• Audit and review of financial statements;
• Corporate governance;
• Public Finance;
• Compliance;
• Compilation of financial statements.
Erik has also gained experience as a board member of the Dutch Caribbean Accountants Association in the function of treasurer and he founded the Young Professionals Dutch Caribbean Association.
Erik is praised to be result-oriented, ambitious, decisive, flexible and most of all communicative (also in Papiamentu!).
Maria York (1987), Assistant Accountant. She started her career in Trinidad where she obtained roughly 9 years experience in the field of accounting, covering areas from book keeping to assisting in Financial Statement preparation. She also has hands on experience with accounting softwares such as QuickBooks, Great Plains and Sage Peachtree. She comes with accounting exposure to several types of companies such as Non-profit, Insurance and Investment banking organizations. Currently she is pursuing the ACCA qualification to be a Chartered Certified Accountant.
Ashwini Gossai (1995) is a chartered certified accountant and Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) as of 2018. She is currently pursuing an MBA with Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University and is expected to finish in 2020.
She has worked in several roles over her student life and professional career spanning more than five (5) years, gaining experience in accounting, administration and general management. She has worked in a variety of industries including financial institution, car dealership and not-for-profit organizations. Ashwini has also been a personal tutor, teaching Mathematics at the CXC level and Accounting at the CAT level.
Ashwini is credited with being ambitious, detail-oriented and organized with a zest for efficiency and productivity.
Linnett Gordon (1984), Supervisor for payroll, obtained her Bachelor of Applied Science in Accounting degree from The University of Curacao. Linnett has over 8 years of experience within the accounting field including vast knowledge of payroll, local tax laws and procedures.
Andrea Lewis (1983), Supervisor, graduated from Florida State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Finance. Andrea is currently busy pursuing a Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance at Keller Graduate School of Management and is expected to complete in 2015. She joined Baker Tilly St. Maarten in 2008. Her expertise includes but is not limited to the set-up of organizations financial administration and general procedures. Andrea has seven (7) years of experience in financial accounting services which specializes in advisory and structuring of small to medium size businesses, government institutions, utility companies, industrial organization, and medical institutions.
Chesley Augustine graduated in 2015 with her Associates of Business Administration- Accounting Concentration. She has continued her study through Oxford Brookes University and is currently pursuing her ACCA qualification.
Previously, Chesley has worked for reputable and well-known NAGICO Insurances for 4 years in the accounting field. Her experience at NAGICO allowed her to broaden her practical skills and be educated at the same time, which gave her an edge in her career goals.
Apart from Chesley’s career, she is an active athlete who plays volleyball on a national level for St. Maarten. She has been playing this sport for about 10 years, and has a great passion for it and is hoping to one day have a training camp for youths in the future.
Chesley believes that, “Whatever you want in life, you can achieve it. All you have to do is put your mind to it and get it. Yes, you may have obstacles in the way, but what fun will it be without a little challenge.”
Maarten C. Tervoort (1984), Tax Advisor, graduated from the University of Maastricht (NL) with a master in International Tax Law in 2008. After his graduation, he worked for an internationally oriented accountancy and tax consultancy firm in Eindhoven (NL) for over 4 years. In this period, Maarten gained extensive experience in international structures and in wage tax and formal tax issues.
Maarten’s interest in foreign tax structures and new fiscal regimes resulted in working for the Tax department of Bonaire, Statia and Saba (BES) as tax inspector. In the 2.5 years as tax inspector, he educated colleague tax inspectors on all different forms of taxation on the BES, and foremost in formal tax law and litigation.
Maarten joined Baker Tilly in St. Maarten in 2014 as Tax Manager and became managing director in 2018
Danny Bol (1970), Financial and Tax Consultant. After obtaining his Bachelor in SPD and CB Tax Consultancy, Danny has gained wide ranged working experience in The Netherlands as a Relation Manager Accountancy, Interim Financial Controller and as a Financial & Tax Consultant. Danny moved to Bonaire in 2004 and has worked for the Baker Tilly in Bonaire since 2010. His main focus is transparency, quality, efficiency.