Rooting into the Netherlands—one ledger at a time
As I prepare for my transition to being Netherlands-based, I’ve been exploring ways to begin rebuilding my bookkeeping services with intention. One of the most insightful resources I came across early on is the iAmsterdam platform, which offers a great starting point for discovering professional opportunities in the city.
Through iAmsterdam, I found Omek—a dynamic community centering culture, connection, and collaboration. Even while abroad, Omek has already been a deeply enriching experience. I've met a generous, creative group of professionals, many of whom are well-established in their fields, and genuinely open to meaningful connection. Events range from professional mixers to open-mic nights, all grounded in authenticity and shared growth.
As a woman of color, it’s especially powerful to witness a thriving network of BIPOC professionals showing up for one another—not out of obligation, but from a place of mutual recognition, support, and joy. It's rare, and it's real.
Soon after joining, I saw a member post about needing a bookkeeper for their new nonprofit focused on stitching and creative arts. Though I’m not yet physically based in the Netherlands, I reached out, shared my experience, and expressed my interest in starting small while I get up to speed with Dutch bookkeeping systems.
Within weeks, we began working together.
Their organization was in the early stages—bank activity had only begun two months prior, and just twenty invoices had gone out for a recent event. It was a perfect opportunity to recommend Moneybird, one of the top accounting tools for small businesses in the Netherlands. After getting access, I recreated their first quarter’s activity and generated a clear, professional report for review by their Dutch accountant—all within a few hours.
Seeing their nonprofit listed under my Moneybird accountant dashboard felt like a quiet milestone—proof that this new chapter is taking shape. Once I’ve filed a few VAT returns, I’ll be eligible to join the platform as a Moneybird Expert, opening up new opportunities to support other small businesses looking for a trusted bookkeeper.
The journey continues, and the foundation is beginning to feel solid.
🤝 Work With Sienna Works
If you value clear communication, smart systems, and support that respects your time (and your clients'), we’ll get along great.