Safi Firuzkuhi

‘I lay the foundation for all executive decisions’

Finance expert Safi Firuzkuhi (54) has been with Plantics since the start in 2016. Together with the head of financial administration, he is responsible for the financial ins and outs at Plantics.

Safi has his own administrative office (since 2008) and works an average of 3.5 days a week for Plantics. One day a week he is present at the office in Arnhem. And more often if necessary, he can be deployed flexibly.

All financial work

‘I perform all common tasks in the financial field,’ Safi says. ‘For example, I take care of entering the financial documents into the accounting system, I am involved in payroll administration, filing the VAT returns and compiling the financial statements. Every day is different, but of course there are daily recurring things, such as handling incoming mail and email.’

100% part of the team

‘I am one of Plantics’ veterans, even though I am not on the Plantics payroll. But that makes no difference to me or the colleagues I work with, I feel 100% part of the team. I really feel at home here, the mutual atmosphere is very friendly.’ What Safi also finds important is the appreciation he receives, both from management and colleagues. Respect and appreciation are important to him. ‘I was not born in the Netherlands and sometimes I have trouble finding the right words in Dutch. Fortunately, I never feel any discrimination here. Probably it also helps that people of many different nationalities work at Plantics.’

Important link

As a link in the big picture, Safi is proud of his contribution to Plantics’ growth from small start-up to the company it is today. ‘After all, the reliability, completeness and accuracy of the financial records is the basis on which the management makes all decisions and adjusts if necessary. So I am at the basis of every decision.’

Working in a company that contributes positively to the environment feels good, Safi says: ‘It’s nice when the work you do comes together with your personal ideals. That makes me feel positive, both in my work and for my children’s future.’

Wow feeling

‘The challenges I work on are very different from those of most colleagues, but just as important. In the scale-up phase we are in now, the needs in terms of financial administration are different from those in the start-up phase. We now work with different tools, have to comply with different rules in terms of legislation. It is essential that everything always runs smoothly and is correct. When Safi goes home feeling satisfied? ‘When a financial difference pops up somewhere and after a long search I have found where it comes from and can solve it. Yes, that’s when I really go home with a wow feeling.’