About HaVen

Quality prevails while time
is of the essence.

HaVen distinguishes itself from other firms in the Dutch Caribbean by choosing highly skilled people with a lot of experience, working in small teams with profound director involvement, and offering short lines of communication. In building our workforce, we always maintain a certain amount of additional capacity. This provides room for growth for our staff and flexibility in servicing our clients timely throughout the year.

HaVen is the first local Sint Maarten audit, accounting, and consultancy firm, specializing in governance, risk, and compliance. Next to mainstream audits and accounting services, clients seek our advice for e.g. quick scans of their compliance with corporate governance, evaluation of policy procedures, and forensic audits or reviews. Our business philosophy is straightforward: quality prevails while time is of the essence.
 
HaVen is an acronym of Hassink (Martin) and Van Engelen (Erik), the founders. Both worked for PwC, and when Martin was the Minister of Finance, he collaborated with Erik as a financial supervisor. Both Erik and Martin have run the Baker Tilly office in St. Maarten. In 2020, they decided to officially team up as HaVen, the first local auditing firm on the island of St. Maarten.

Our team

Erik van Engelen

Founder

Taco Bruggink

Director

Maria York

manager compilation

Sabrina Stienstra

accountant

Lettitia Peterson

Accountant

Shameka Brooks

accountant

Junior Toussaint

accountant

Rachel James

Office Assistant

Galicia Bohé

Payroll Officer

Therése Gotschin

Accountant

Bernice Pawirotaroeno

Accountant

Daniel Ramsamoedj

senior accountant

Daryll Medar

senior accountant

Sharief Kromodihardjo

Accountant

Anna Kasim

tax compliance officer

Chelsea Kasim

finance officer

Stephanie Gentle

Accountant

Rohan Jialal

Accountant

Jurgen Kloppenburg

accountant

Ruby Aalse

tax compliance officer

Jean Bernard

JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT

Kyra Edwards

INTERN

Contact

Location

Welfare Rd 68,
Commercial Center 2
Cole Bay, St. Maarten

Our hours

8:00 AM – 5.00 PM
Monday – Friday

Contact us

Phone: +1721 524 2833
Email: [email protected]

contact
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Erik van Engelen

Founder

Erik van Engelen (1979) started his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Curaçao in 2003. After obtaining his audit certification degree (‘Register Accountant’) in 2008, he moved back to the Netherlands and continued working for PwC in Amsterdam. After seven years of auditing, he decided to move back to the Dutch Caribbean and started working for the Financial Supervisory Board (Cft), then based in Curaçao. Erik opened Cft offices in both St. Maarten and Aruba and lived in St. Maarten from 2012-2014. In 2016 he moved back to the Netherlands and started working as a Compliance Officer for Flynth, the sixth’ largest accounting firm in the Netherlands. He moved back to St. Maarten in 2018, just after Irma hit the Island and worked for Baker Tilly up to 2020.

Taco Bruggink

Director

Taco Bruggink (1975) started his career in 2000 in Amsterdam at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where Erik van Engelen later joined him. After eight years of auditing for international clients such as Tommy Hilfiger and Getronics, he pursued a career in financial and business controlling at PON Automotive in the Netherlands, a leading family multinational with its headquarters in the Netherlands. During these years, he obtained his RC controlling certification degree. From 2016 to 2023, Taco was Finance Director of Audi wholesale and MAN consecutively. In 2024, Taco (re)joined Erik to set up HaVen’s Bonaire branch and assist in existing audit engagements. 

Maria York

manager compilation

Maria York started her career in Trinidad and Tobago with over ten years’ experience in accounting within a diverse set of business sectors. She worked for a non-profit organization functioning as a Senior Finance Officer, she was a Senior Accounts Clerk at an insurance company and an Assistant Accountant at an investment bank. She moved to Sint Maarten in 2017 after receiving the opportunity to work at Baker Tilly, where she was able to expand her professional career in auditing, financial reporting, and corporate governance. She spent four years at Baker Tilly where she started as an Assistant Accountant and grew to a Senior Assistant Accountant. Maria has her BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University along with being an ACCA student affiliate. She is working towards obtaining full ACCA membership.  She is result oriented, strives towards quality professional service and is an all-round team player.

Sabrina Stienstra

accountant

Sabrina Stienstra was born and raised in Suriname. She moved to Sint Maarten in 2016. She has worked in administration in mostly retail environments. Sabrina has an affinity for numbers, and she is eager to expand her knowledge of accounting, payroll and tax administration. She has been working as a freelance Spanish translator since obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Leidse Onderwijs Instellingen (LOI).

Lettitia Peterson

accountant

Born and raised on the beautiful isle of Sint Maarten, Lettitia Peterson has always been immersed in a vibrant and dynamic environment. Her professional journey began in the hospitality industry, where she developed strong administrative and service skills that are foundational to her career.

In 2020, seeking a new challenge and a fresh direction, Lettitia transitioned into the accounting sector. Joining a small accounting firm, she immersed herself in the intricacies of the industry, gaining valuable insights and upgrading her skillset significantly.

Lettitia’s expertise extends to local labor laws and tax procedures, areas where she is particularly well-versed. As she continues to build on her experience, Lettitia is eager to further expand her knowledge and skills, contributing to the success of her team and the satisfaction of their clients.Dedicated to continuous learning and professional growth, Lettitia strives to enhance her capabilities and deliver exceptional results consistently.

Shameka Brooks

accountant

Shameka S.P. Brooks, born and raised on the beautiful island of St. Maarten, has always been driven by her passion for nurturing young minds. Initially aspiring to become an early childcare teacher, Shameka pursued her studies at CIFMA with dedication. However, unforeseen circumstances led her to take a break from teaching.

In 2012, while helping her best friend who was overwhelmed with bookkeeping tasks, Shameka discovered a newfound love for accounting. This unexpected turn of events inspired her to further her education in the field. Eager to expand her knowledge, she enrolled in various accounting courses, cultivating her expertise and skill set.

With over eight years of experience in accounting, Shameka has honed her proficiency in payroll and local labor law. Her journey from early childcare education to a successful career in accounting exemplifies her adaptability and commitment to professional growth. Today, Shameka is recognized for her meticulous attention to detail and comprehensive understanding of the accounting landscape.

Junior Toussaint

accountant

Junior Toussaint is a driven professional from St. Maarten who began his career in 2022 as an Office Clerk at SOL Antilles N.V. He later gained accounting and payroll experience at Grant Thornton and Simpson Bay Resort, handling payroll processing and supporting various financial tasks.
Before that, he volunteered with the Department of Statistics at the Sint Maarten Government and the international organization IRMA, and completed internships at Henderson Insurances and Kooyman B.V.
Currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting, Junior aspires to become a qualified ACCA member. He is known for his dedication, work ethic, and faith-based values.

Rachel James

Office Assistant

Rachel graduated high school in December of 2023 with a certificate of excellence in Dutch and her goal is to further her studies in accounting. She is working on an internship to gain working experience and to get a feel of what it’s like to have a job within an accounting firm. She is also using this opportunity to help her figure out if accounting is the path she would like to take for her future. She has also taken up many languages such as : Dutch, Spanish, French and Portuguese to assist her in the work field and in hopes of using these skills to have a side job as a translator.

Galicia Bohé

Payroll Officer

With over three years of experience in payroll administration, Galicia is on an incredible journey. She has developed skills in problem solving, technology and customer service while maintaining her compliance knowledge. However, managing payroll can be complex, time-consuming and often requires specialized knowledge and attention to detail. She prides herself on providing high quality, reliable payroll services that enable companies to focus on their core business.

Therése Gotschin

accountant

Therése Gotschin is born and raised in Suriname.
She studied economics at high school, English at college and several Computer, Financial and Human Resources courses.
She has a passion for accounting with over 11 years of experience in Bookkeeping , Human Resources and Customer Services. Besides bookkeeping and payroll, she is our go to person for drafting legal agreements and she assists HaVen with the revenue and receivables cycle.

Bernice Pawirotaroeno

accountant

Bernice Pawirotaroeno, born in Suriname, started her career at the largest insurance company Assuria N.V. in Suriname. She has gained knowledge and experience for 23 years as a financial accountant in mortgages, agencies and cash monitoring. As a policy administrator, she has also implemented medical insurance policies in accordance with acceptance policy in accordance with the authorization matrix. Furthermore, she wants to continue to provide good service to all her future customers and takes up any challenge as long as there is the potential to do so.

Daniel Ramsamoedj

senior accountant

Daniel Ramsamoedj grew up and studied in Suriname. He studied at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname where he obtained his Bachelor degree in Business Economics, which is soon to be followed by a Master’s Degree.

Over the past 10 years, Daniel worked as a corporate sales representative in the telecommunication industry, as account manager at IT company ClearIT Solutions, and as junior accountant at Finabank. His latest professional experience is that of Deputy Director Finance of Surinam’s Wanica Hospital.

Daryll Medar

senior accountant

Daryll Medar was born in Suirnam. He has experience in customer care, quality management, finance, and accounting. Following his career at Telenamic Suriname, he worked for several consulting firms, where he assisted companies in obtaining the ISO 9001 certification, implemented financial software, and trained the employees in the area of quality management, customer care, Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks, AccountView and bookkeeping.

In the past years, Daryll served as Finance Manager in the automotive industry and healthcare. In addition, he continues to implement financial software for several small companies as well as assisting these companies with their bookkeeping, annual financial reports and tax preparation.

Daryll has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics from the Anton de Kom University and has completed several modules from the Master of Research methods and Master of Business Administration.

Sharief Kromodihardjo

accountant

Sharief Kromodihardjo is a motivated professional with a background in finance and passion for precision. He is Currently studying to become an accountant assistant to further deepen his knowledge and skills. Alongside his studies, he holds the position of finance manager, in which he is responsible for managing financial processes and monitoring budgets. 

Sharief is known for his analytical mindset and attention to detail. His strong affinity with numbers enables him to interpret complex financial data effectively. He is result-oriented, reliable, and possesses strong problem solving abilities. His ambition is to grow into a well-rounded financial specialist capable of supporting organizations strategically. 

Anna Kasim

accountant

Anna Kasim was born in Suriname and brings over 30 years of experience from her time at Medlab, where she became a trusted and key figure within the organization. With educational backgrounds in Office Management, Tax Advising, and Accountancy, she has built up broad expertise in financial administration and tax-related matters. Her knowledge of logistics, inventory management, and customer-oriented service played a vital role in the company’s growth and development. Anna approaches her work with dedication, precision, and enthusiasm — qualities she also brings to serve our clients. 

Chelsea Kasim

accountant

Chelsea Kasim is a driven professional with a background in International Business Management from the FHR School of Business. She has gained experience in financial administration, HR, and inventory management at various organizations, including N.V. Brotherhood Security and Alegria Suriname N.V. 

At HaVen, Chelsea contributes her expertise in payroll, communication, and process optimization. Her multilingual skills (Dutch, English, Spanish) and client-focused approach align seamlessly with HaVen’s values of commitment and efficiency. 

Stephanie Gentle

accountant

Stephanie Gentle is an experienced and motivated finance administrator and manager from Paramaribo, Suriname. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and has gained valuable experience in both retail management and financial administration. 

In recent years, she has contributed in the role of Market Center Administrator within the real estate sector, focusing on streamlining financial processes, providing administrative support, and coordinating strategic activities in a dynamic work environment. 

With her creative and solution-oriented mindset, strong communication skills, and passion for teamwork, Stephanie consistently strives to bring out the best in herself and her team. She is known for her perseverance and ability to perform under pressure. 

Rohan Jialal

accountant

Rohan Jialal is a motivated Business Administration student at the FHR School of Business in Suriname, with a planned specialization in Management/Financial Accounting. He has a strong interest in the business world, with a particular focus on how organizations develop, grow, and create value for their customers. Rohan aspires to deepen his expertise in accountancy and pursue certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the future. 

Despite his young age, he has already gained valuable work experience in both administrative and commercial roles. Rohan possesses strong leadership skills and organizational insight, enabling him to contribute effectively to well-structured business operations, both independently and as part of a team. 

Jurgen Kloppenburg

accountant

Jurgen Kloppenburg lives in Suriname and has extensive experience in the financial sector, including a background at the Surinamese Airline Company, where he worked in the Finance Department, Cash and Bank section. He also serves on the executive board of the staff union as treasurer, responsible for managing finances and preparing annual reports. Jurgen is reliable, detail-oriented, and committed — qualities he now brings to his role at HaVen. 

Ruby Aalse

tax compliance officer

Ruby was born in Suriname. After completing high school, she started her career in the hospitality industry. Later, she gained extensive experience as an administrative employee in areas including financial administration, payroll administration, customer service, and taxation.

Her work in the field of taxation further stimulated her interest in tax consultancy. Therefore, she has recently started the higher professional education program for Tax Consultant. Additionally, she is about to complete the Practical Diploma in Accounting.

Jean Bernard

INtern

Jean-Bernard is a dedicated professional with a passion for accounting and finance, continually seeking to advance his educational and professional development. He earned a Level 5 Diploma in Business and Accounting before completing his Level 6 Graduate Diploma (EQF level 6) in Accounting and Finance from Oxford Graduate College in 2024. Currently serving as an Accounting Intern at HaVen, Jean Bernard brings fresh knowledge in recording, analyzing financial transactions, and financial reporting , supported by his achievement of the CAPM® certification. His commitment to ongoing learning is evident in his pursuit of further educational and professional opportunities to enhance his expertise and contribute effectively to clients’ financial success.

Kyra Edwards

INtern

Kyra Edwards was born and raised in Dominica. She is currently a full-time student pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting at the University of the Virgin Islands. She has a strong interest in financial systems, fraud investigation, and a passion for achieving financial responsibility and growth. She is eager to expand her knowledge of accounting, tax administration, and auditing.