It is June 1996 when the Finance Association of Amsterdam (FAA) merges with the Accountancy Association Amsterdam (Triple A). They joined forces and the associations were renamed to Financiële Studievereniging Amsterdam (FSA), in English: Financial Study association Amsterdam. Because of the strong, clear philosophy ‘the urge to improve is what makes the difference’ and the recruitment of driven, ambitious and enterprising active members, the FSA has grown to be the largest financial study association in the Netherlands.
At the time the FSA was formed, the foundation, on which the association would continue to build, was already present. The two associations that formed the FSA had several years of experience between them. This has been used as the basis for further growth.
The first phase the FSA went through was mainly about getting a clear FSA philosophy and integrating the projects and people of the two old associations. During this phase the FSA also got more independent; a room on the University of Amsterdam (UvA) was obtained and the FSA expanded to the Vrije Universiteit (VU). New activities were developed like the Amsterdam Mutual Fund and The London Banking Tour and the first incredibly fast ‘386’ FSA computer was purchased.
With more than 500 members and a solid foundation the FSA reached a critical mass at the end of the nineties. Existing projects were constantly improved and higher goals were set. This resulted in a series of new projects (e.g. FSA Research Project and Consultition), which also aimed at students outside the finance and accounting atmosphere.
In this period the FSA grew into a stronger brand name, one that students, companies, universities and other associations had to take into account.
The focus in the past years have mainly been on developing our projects and improving our facilities. The factor human capital and the association feeling got left behind in the process.
By means of active member meetings, open drink receptions, renewing the external communication and a policy to make the association more visible on universities, the involvement of active members increased and the vibrant association life within the FSA was put back on the map.
In the most recent phase the FSA is further professionalizing the association. The project portfolio grew out to 15 projects. The member database grew out to 3000+. This number is mainly made up of Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) and Vrije Universiteit (VU) students, but students from other universities have also joined.The students have an interest in: Accountancy, Banking & Finance, Controlling, Consultancy and/or Investments.
Professionalizing has focused on improving both the operational processes and the facilities. A management information system has been put in place so new boards and committees can start a new year well informed.
Aside from that, the FSA managed to obtain a room at the VU in 2003. This resulted in a better coverage there and the amount of VU members increased. In 2005 the association had to part with her beloved office (E0.12) on the UvA because the dean of the Amsterdam Business School wanted to use it for further expansion. Fortunately a bigger office (C6.07) and a very visible front office (E0.07) came in its place.
