A Conversation with Maartje van den Boomen About Her Work as a Greyt Controller
Maartje van den Boomen shares her experiences as a Greyt Controller — a conversation about working with clients and colleagues who are just as result-driven as she is. With tips for fellow financials and a shoutout to entrepreneurs in the Eindhoven region.
“Since joining Greyt, I’ve worked on eight different assignments — with lots of variety in both projects and clients. Looking back at what I’ve learned in just two years, it’s clear: you simply don’t get this range of experience in a ‘regular’ controller career.”
Learning on the Job
Maartje joined Greyt on April 1, 2023. At the time, she was working as an interim business controller for the municipality of Utrecht when she was approached by Greyt’s Talent Manager, Marloes van Leeuwen.
“I really enjoyed my time there and learned a lot,” she shares. “But it wasn’t result-oriented enough for me — I didn’t feel like I could make enough impact. What I love about Greyt is the perfect balance: the variety of assignments that I also had as an interim, combined with working for companies that are truly focused on results and eager to move forward.”
Still, she had a moment of doubt. “I studied business administration, so I didn’t have a purely financial background when Marloes reached out. Until then, I mainly worked as a business controller. But I thought: by making this move, I’ll automatically grow into financial control as well,” she laughs. “Most clients are looking for someone who can handle both. Luckily, there’s so much knowledge within Greyt, and I was given the space to develop my financial control skills. Definitely a case of learning on the job.”
Thriving in Dynamic Environments
The variety in both projects and clients was a major reason Maartje chose Greyt. “It’s also about the type of clients,” she explains. “You often step into dynamic environments where things aren’t fully defined yet. There’s usually a recent investment — or one is coming soon. I get a lot of energy from that kind of environment. Bringing structure and getting the financial foundation in place — that’s my mission when I start somewhere.”
As a Greyt Controller, you typically work for multiple companies at once. Any tips? “In the first week of a new assignment, I always schedule as many introductory meetings as possible — both inside and outside of Finance. It gives me a broad view of the organization, helps me understand what’s going on, and allows me to get up to speed quickly.”
“And when the assignment is larger or more complex, it’s incredibly valuable to work alongside a Greyt CFO. You learn a lot just by seeing how they approach things.”
She also recommends having a clear schedule: when you work for which client. “And strong social skills are essential because you’re dealing with so many different people. It also helps to be — or want to become — a well-rounded financial, because some clients have very small Finance teams, so a lot depends on you.”
Partnering with a CFO
Beyond the variety, Maartje values the collective knowledge she has access to. Greyt has 45+ CFOs and 25+ Controllers, all with expertise across every aspect of Finance. “There’s always someone to spar with — whether it’s a technical question or advice on how to approach a particular situation. I can also post my question on our internal knowledge platform and get a quick, practical answer.”
As a Greyt Controller, you often start an assignment alongside a Greyt CFO or join them partway through. “I’ve collaborated with a Greyt CFO on four assignments so far. It’s especially helpful with bigger or more complex clients. You get to see how a CFO operates and learn directly from that experience.”
For smaller assignments, she works independently — but with the full support of the Greyt community. “If I run into something, I can always check in with my colleagues or my mentor.”
CFO mentors meet with their mentees regularly for one-on-one sessions — whether it’s about technical finance topics or soft skills, depending on what’s needed. “A lot of Controllers at Greyt are ambitious and growth-oriented,” Maartje shares. “It’s great to have a mentor who’s been through the same growth journey you’re on now.”
Always Learning, Always Growing
Looking back, Maartje’s assignments have covered the full spectrum of financial control — including several software implementations. “The downside of interim work is that you often get hired for what you already know. But I want to keep learning and growing. Not just focusing on numbers or systems, but truly being the right hand to the entrepreneur. Helping them get things organized and making sure the foundation is solid. Greyt gives you the space to communicate what you want — and they really listen.”
“My goal? To always take on something just a little more challenging than what I’m doing now.”
The variety also means she can carry knowledge from one client to another. “Right now, I’m working for a medical care center where we’re exploring software for a subscription model. My experience with a previous software client is proving super valuable here.”
Looking Ahead
At Greyt, we see our Controller team as a growth ground for future CFOs. But there’s also room for Controllers who prefer to specialize in their field. How does Maartje see her future?
“I’ve grown from being a business controller into a well-rounded financial. Ask me anything, and I either know the answer or know exactly where to find it — whether that’s with the tax advisor, the accountant, or within our network. It’s a great feeling to know your way around.”
Her ambitions are clear: “I want each assignment to be a step up from the one before. More responsibility, more complexity, more growth. Of course, it depends on which projects are available, but Greyt really listens. Marloes, for example, looks closely at matching what you want with the right assignments. And with your mentor, you map out exactly which steps will help you get where you want to go.”
Autonomy — with a Safety Net
Does Maartje have advice for other financials exploring their next career move? “At Greyt, you have autonomy, a huge internal network, and a strong foundation to rely on. You can draw from a deep well of knowledge and experience — and there are plenty of growth opportunities. It’s a dynamic environment, both within Greyt and at the clients you support. I’m definitely not going anywhere anytime soon,” she adds with a smile.
Greyt has Circles in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Eindhoven — local communities of CFOs and Controllers working in the same region. Maartje is part of the Eindhoven Circle and has a message for entrepreneurs in the area:
“There’s so much happening in the Eindhoven scale-up scene. I love connecting with entrepreneurs — hearing about their challenges, where they want to go, and figuring out how Greyt can help accelerate that growth. So if you’re based in the Eindhoven area, let’s connect!”
About Greyt
Greyt is a network of CFOs and Controllers that provides scale-ups and SMEs with tailored financial expertise and knowledge that scales with your success. You get the knowledge and experience of not just one, but 60+ finance professionals. This can be fractional, interim or on a project basis – whatever the company requires.
At Greyt, we’re always looking for Controllers who want to add significant value to ambitious growth companies. Are you looking for a new challenge? Let’s connect! Click here for more information.
