Fluke

Period June 1996 - December 1998
Organisation Fluke Europe B.V.
Position Financial Service Centre Manager (after the rolling out of the FSC)

Summary of the situation

As a member of the project team, Cantor was co-responsible for setting up and running (final responsibility) of a European Financial Service Organisation. After the start-up of the Service Centre, Cantor became the person who was responsible for the direct management of the entire Centre. Within Fluke, Cantor functionally reported directly to the European Controller.

Activities

  • Managing the internationally oriented Accounting teams via the Supervisors (4 directly, 11 indirectly).
  • Responsible for the total Financial Service Centrum (FSC), which consists of a team of 16 employees who process financial transactions for all European Fluke offices.
  • Defining and organising FSC processes and procedures as well as the relations with National Sales Organisations.
  • Coordinating FSC activities with other administrative financial functions, such as cash management and analyses.
  • Collaborating with Corporate Accounting in the United States and translating internal requirements, procedures and rules and regulations to the various offices.
  • Accountable Finance person with regard to ISO audits to be made.
  • Supporting offices with regard to financial issues and questions.
  • Safeguarding the required service level via the accounting teams (completeness, timeliness, accuracy, complying with rules and regulation) of the offices with regard to financial ledgers / sub-ledgers / balancing of the books in accordance with US GAAP and Dutch GAAP / taxes, VAT/ social and business calculations and financial reports.
  • Contact person for banks, accountants, insurance companies, the Inland Revenue and the Fluke pension Fund.

Projects executed at Fluke (member of the project teams)

  • Implementation of the European Financial Service Centre (FSC).
  • Implementation of the European Global Banking System.
  • Implementation of the Agents Structure for all sales offices in Europe.

Results

A fully integrated Financial Service Centre, from where the financial activities for all European Fluke offices are handled.

Period January 1995 - May 1996
Organisation Fluke Europe B.V.
Position Accounting Manager / Controller

Summary of the situation

The main task at the start of the Fluke period was to re-map the Accounting department in several areas (key activities and social aspects) and to rearrange the department on the basis of the findings and the recommendations. The Accounting department had to be crammed for its later implementation into the Service Centre.

Activities

  • Manager of 4 employees.
  • Responsible for the entire financial department.
  • Monthly "international" reports to the US (P&L, balance, prognoses).
  • Drawing up and coordinating the budgeting process.
  • Drawing up the Dutch Annual Accounts (US GAAP - Dutch GAAP.
  • Drawing up the VAT / Income Tax and VPB declarations.
  • Contact person for banks, accountants, insurance companies, the Inland Revenue and the pension Fund.
  • Continuously improving administrative and internal organisational procedures.

Projects executed at Fluke (member of the project teams)

  • Implementation of several new releases of the MFG-Pro financial system
  • Setting up the financial procedures / working instructions in accordance with the ISO directives.

Results

  • A smoothly running and motivated accounting department that is committed to its tasks and responsibilities.
  • Department without "key" issues that could be rolled out into the Financial Service Centre in a rather simple manner without too many obstacles.