About Michiel
About Michiel Terwindt
Michiel Terwindt is the accountant for creatives in Amsterdam behind Finance People, and the only person working there. He has worked in finance since 1999 and started Finance People in 2011, after more than ten years at corporate service providers, a fund administrator and international firms. Today he works only for creative freelancers and small creative businesses. Outside office hours you are likely to find him behind the bar of a tiny theatre, at an art event on the NDSM wharf or at a vineyard near Sloterdijk.
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Finance People is fully booked for 2026. You can sign up for 2027 now.
Career
From corporate finance in 1999 to an accountant for creatives
Michiel studied at the University of Nijmegen (Radboud) and started in finance in 1999. His career before Finance People took him through very different corners of the field.
Finance roles from ATC Corporate Services to TMF
| Period | Role | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| 1999-2003 | Account Manager | ATC Corporate Services |
| 2003-2006 | Financial Specialist | Brunel Nederland |
| 2006-2007 | Fund Accountant | CBTJ Financial Services |
| 2007-2008 | Senior Corporate Accountant | AON |
| 2008-2010 | Accountant | TMF Netherlands |
| Since 2011 | Owner | Finance People |
Corporate finance experience in interim work today
That corporate background is still in use today in his interim finance work for larger organisations.
Creatives
Why this Amsterdam accountant works for creatives only
Finance People works only for the creative sector. Over the years Michiel has built up practical knowledge of the questions creatives run into: how Buma/Stemra and Sena payments are treated, which costs an artist or a freelance journalist can deduct, and how to deal with project income that arrives in fits and starts. Focusing on one sector means he does not need long explanations about what a licence fee or a performance contract is. The creative professions Michiel works for each have their own page.
In the city
An accountant for artists inside the Amsterdam creative scene
Michiel knows the sector from the inside, not only from the numbers. He volunteers behind the bar at the Torpedo Theater, the smallest theatre in Amsterdam, in the Sint Pieterspoortsteeg, with room for at most 35 visitors. He helps out at NDSM Open on the NDSM wharf and lends a hand at the Amsterdam Dance Event in Noord. Through Kunstmarkt Noord, held at NDSM on the last weekend of September, he knows many artists personally. More about his ties with the city is on the page about being an accountant for Amsterdam creatives.
Outside work
The accountant off duty: vines, hockey and De Nieuwe Anita
Michiel describes himself as someone who enjoys life. He leases vines at Wijn van Bret, the city vineyard near Sloterdijk station, plays hockey at HC AthenA and likes to spend an evening at De Nieuwe Anita in the Frederik Hendrikstraat. That same enjoyment of good work and good company is part of how he deals with clients: direct, informal and in Dutch or English.
Giving
An accountant whose work gives back to Amsterdam
Michiel gives 10% of his turnover to local causes in Amsterdam and another 10% according to the principles of effective altruism, and he sponsors an orphanage in Asia. The reasoning behind this is explained on the page about giving 10% locally and 10% effectively.
Work with him
Michiel as your accountant for creatives from 2027
Because Michiel works alone, his client list is limited, and it is full for 2026. If you would like him as your accountant, you can get on the waitlist for 2027, free and without obligation. How a year together looks is described on the page about the Finance People way of working.
Beyond the books
The accountant for creatives in Amsterdam's arts scene
michielterwindt.nl
Michiel Terwindt's personal siteLinkedIn
Career since 1999HC AthenA
His hockey club in AmsterdamTorpedo Theater
Volunteer behind the bar of Amsterdam's smallest theatreWijn van Bret
City vineyard near Sloterdijk, own vines and own wineArt City NDSM
Helps out at NDSM Open on the NDSM wharfKunstmarkt Noord
Many of the artists are clients or friendsAmbacht in Beeld Festival
Craft workshops at NDSMDe Nieuwe Anita
Favourite venue in Amsterdam WestAmsterdam Dance Event
Helps out in Amsterdam NoordCasas Benali
Eco retreat in Enguera he keeps returning toServe the City Amsterdam
Local cause of the 10% revenueEffectief Altruïsme
Another 10% along these principlesGiving What We Can
International giving pledge
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked: about Michiel Terwindt
How long has Michiel Terwindt worked in finance?
Michiel Terwindt has worked in finance since 1999, more than 25 years. He held roles at ATC Corporate Services, Brunel, CBTJ Financial Services, AON and TMF Netherlands before starting his own practice, Finance People, in 2011. Since then he has worked exclusively for the creative sector.
Where did Michiel Terwindt study?
Michiel Terwindt studied at the University of Nijmegen, now known as Radboud University. After his studies he started his career in finance in 1999, as an account manager at ATC Corporate Services, followed by several finance and accounting roles at international firms.
What did Michiel do at AON and TMF Netherlands?
At AON, Michiel worked as a senior corporate accountant from 2007 to 2008. At TMF Netherlands, an international corporate services provider, he worked as an accountant from 2008 to 2010. Shortly afterwards, in 2011, he started Finance People.
Does Michiel know the Amsterdam art scene personally?
Yes, Michiel knows the Amsterdam art scene personally. He volunteers at the Torpedo Theater, helps at NDSM Open on the NDSM wharf, lends a hand at the Amsterdam Dance Event and knows many artists through Kunstmarkt Noord. That gives him first-hand insight into how creatives work.
What is the Torpedo Theater where Michiel volunteers?
The Torpedo Theater, where Michiel volunteers behind the bar, is the smallest theatre in Amsterdam. It is located in the Sint Pieterspoortsteeg 33 in the city centre and has room for a maximum of 35 visitors, which makes every performance an intimate experience.
What is Wijn van Bret, the vineyard Michiel is involved in?
Wijn van Bret is a city vineyard near Amsterdam Sloterdijk station, where Michiel leases vines. It is one of the ways he enjoys life in the city. He also plays hockey at HC AthenA and likes to spend time at De Nieuwe Anita in Amsterdam West.
Does Michiel have colleagues at Finance People?
No, Michiel has no colleagues at Finance People: he runs it as a sole proprietorship without staff. Every client works directly with him, from the introductory talk to the income tax return. That is also why the number of clients is limited and a waitlist is used.
Is Michiel available for interim work besides his creative clients?
Yes, Michiel is available for interim finance work at larger organisations besides his creative clients, within the time he has available. The work builds on his experience in corporate accounting, fund accounting and corporate services. Assignments are agreed individually.
Working with Michiel in 2027?
Finance People works with a limited number of makers, so everyone gets Michiel himself on the line. Put your name on the waitlist and you will hear as soon as there is room.