When Matrixian, a fast-growing real estate data scale-up, needed more financial structure, reliability, and management information, CFO Wilko de Vette found the ideal partner in F.INSTITUTE.
F.INSTITUTE was able to structure Matrixian's financial processes, set up reliable reporting, and implement a real-time financial dashboard. As a result, Matrixian now has completely reliable figures that accelerate decision-making and bring peace of mind to the organization.
Wilko has known F.INSTITUTE founder Rik van den Berg for years. “When I was still active as an investor in start-ups and scale-ups,” he says, “I often saw that the quality of administration, reporting, and cash flow forecasting was substandard. F.INSTITUTE already stood out at that time as a party that could organize this really well.”
When Wilko started at Matrixian, he quickly recognized the same issues. Wilko: "The financial administration was fragmented, reports came in irregularly, and there was a lack of reliable management information. “I was looking for a party that could organize the administration professionally,” Wilko explains, “but that could also show me where I stand with my cash and how fast the cash burn is going.”
That turned out to be exactly what F.INSTITUTE excels at. “They have a model that works really well. The reports are professional, the dashboards provide immediate insight, and they are incredibly professional. That's why I entrusted them with part of my portfolio at the time. And now, at Matrixian, I've chosen them again. It was actually a no-brainer.”
F.INSTITUTE has a model that works really well. The reports are professional, the dashboards provide immediate insight, and they are incredibly professional.
Wilko de Vette, CFO Matrixian
According to Wilko, the collaboration with F.INSTITUTE brings three clear pillars: structure, insight, and expertise. “The scale of our company does not justify having someone employed full-time to do the administration. I have a financial background myself, but I'm a bit too expensive to book invoices,” he says apologetically. “F.INSTITUTE has a team that knows exactly what they're doing. Everything is booked correctly, and I know it's right.”
On top of that, F.INSTITUTE provides an integrated financial model that allows Wilko to monitor his cash position and burn rate. “In situations where you have to manage cash tightly, that's actually indispensable,” he says. "At the end of the month, I can report to my shareholders at the touch of a button: this is the profit and loss statement, this is the cash flow, and this is the runway we still have.”
It enables Matrixian to make adjustments more quickly and take better-informed decisions. “It helps enormously in shareholder discussions,” explains Wilko. “They can monitor our performance much better, whether we are on track and whether our assumptions hold true. F.INSTITUTE's reports not only make these discussions easier, but also more substantive.”
He also appreciates the strategic sounding board that F.INSTITUTE offers. “If I run into a problem, I call Rik or someone from his team. We think things over together, not only from a numbers perspective, but also from the business perspective. That makes it a partnership rather than a supplier relationship.”
At the end of the month, I can report to my shareholders at the touch of a button: this is the profit and loss statement, this is the cash flow, and this is the runway we still have.
Wilko de Vette, CFO Matrixian
For Matrixian, the switch to F.INSTITUTE meant one thing above all else: reliable financial information. “I now have a financial report I can trust 100%. With our previous accountants, I couldn’t bet money on it,” says Wilko. “Now I know for sure: the figures are correct. And if I want to dive deeper, I can.”
That confidence translates into peace of mind and time savings. Whereas Wilko initially spent a lot of time restoring and structuring old records, he now expects to be able to oversee the financial process in just one day a week. “Once everything is in order, it's easy to run,” he says. “F.INSTITUTE takes care of the repetitive, manual tasks. That saves me a lot of time and gives me the confidence that everything is in good hands.”
When I come across a party that is struggling with its finances, I am happy to introduce F.INSTITUTE. Because I know if they do it, it will be all right.
Wilko de Vette, CFO Matrixian
A partnership that continues to grow
Although Matrixian has now found a solid rhythm, F.INSTITUTE remains involved in further optimization. “What I like is that they never become complacent,” says Wilko. “They keep improving. And they actively ask me: ‘What are you struggling with, where can we improve?’ That feels like a real partnership.”
The personal connection is also important. “I just like the people,” says Wilko. “Maybe that's why we were such a good match seven years ago: we have the same view on finance and its challenges. The people are professional, curious, and human.”
Wilko sums up the collaboration: “Peace of mind, reliability, and thinking things over together. Those are the three things that best describe F.INSTITUTE,” he says. “They take work off our hands, make sure the numbers add up, and are a strategic sounding board. That makes them more than a supplier: they are truly a partner.”
He concludes: “If I come across a party struggling with its finances, I am happy to introduce F.INSTITUTE. Because I know if they do it, it will be all right.”
If you would like to explore this topic further and discover what F.INSTITUTE can do for your organization, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are always happy to discuss your goals!