1 minute read
Appendix: About Stichting Beroepseer and the book Artikel 5
Stichting Beroepseer (Professional Honour Foundation) is a Dutch organisation that explores professional identity and behaviour across many sectors. The central question that this foundation has been trying to push onto the social and political agenda is: How can we regain professional pride and thereby improve the quality of our work? Stichting Beroepseer was founded in 2006 following the publication of Beroepszeer (Professional Pain) (2005), a book that detailed the frustrations of many Dutch professionals with pervasive forces of bureaucratisation, lack of autonomy and deprofessionalisation. In 2009, a second book, Beroepstrots (Professional Pride), furthered these messages and emphasised pride as a core value for all professionals to embrace.
Stichting Beroepseer wants to offer professionals help to strengthen professionalism in their own work environment. Specifically, the foundation does this by producing publications and organising group coaching. Over 15 years, the foundation has grown into a broad movement of executive professionals, managers, directors, scientists and other interested parties.
In 2017, Stichting Beroepseer issued the book Artikel 5: De beroepseer van de accountant (Article 5: The professional honour of the accountant). Following the 2008 financial crisis, public confidence in accounting in the Netherlands collapsed. The result was an identity crisis for the profession, with many accountants wondering how they could ensure integrity and quality in their work. In an attempt to regain professional honour, Artikel 5 offers a collection of contributions with mainly positive insights, sharp analyses and stories from accountants or experts close to the accountancy sector. Coauthor Margreeth Kloppenburg received an award from the Royal Netherlands Institute of Chartered Accountants (NBA) for her contribution to the book. According to the jury, she had designed a unique book. The jury stated that the subject of professional honour appeals to the heart of the professional at a time when offices, systems and procedures are dominant in the profession.
More information: www.beroepseer.nl
