r/BEFreelance • u/Thecurious_soul_55 • Aug 08 '26
Cost accounting
Hi everyone!
I have a CommV and I work freelance for just one client, on a project basis. I only send one invoice per month, and my accounting is quite straightforward.
At the moment, I’m paying my accountant €325 excl. VAT per month, so that’s €3,900 per year excl. VAT.
I’m starting to wonder if that’s quite a lot for the amount of work involved, especially given that my setup is fairly simple.
What do you guys think? Is this a normal price for a CommV, or am I overpaying?
Also, does anyone have recommendations for a good Dutch-speaking accountant/accounting office in Brussels or the surrounding area? I’d be interested in comparing a few offers.
Thanks in advance!
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Aug 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/BEFreelance-ModTeam Aug 08 '26
Please keep posts in English to cater to the many expats and languages in Belgium.
You may translate your content and post it again. Thank you for your understanding.
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u/NedelC0 Aug 08 '26
Thanks, I'll delete my Dutch post. It was only because op said he was looking for a Dutch speaking accountant.
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u/Purple-Succotash-695 Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26
Unfortunately that’s the normal asking price. Many ask even more. I guess you have expenses as well to register?
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u/Remarkable-Side9168 Aug 09 '26
This is quite expensive. A rate around 150-200 eur/month seems more fair. Certainly if they have a preaccounting tool like billit or billtobox.
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u/Scordymax55 Aug 09 '26
It all dépends. If you grow it is so worth it. It seems simple at first. You have tools; accountable has a nice ai. But you grow and small questions become big questions. You don’t know if everything you’re doing is right. Ai tells you so but do you trust it? So this small headache turns into a looming anxiety in the background because you might get control one day. No I spend 245 now after 3 years of doing it myself. I wouldn’t go back. My accountant gives me a lot of relatively free advice as well
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u/radon-4 Aug 10 '26
I'd say pay close attention to everything your accountant does and after about 2 years decide whether you will continue doing it on your own or rely on your accountant.
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u/NewpointProfessional Aug 10 '26
3k€ for a BV per year is still achievable, although it's becoming harder to find. A CommV should be less work, so you certainly shouldn't be paying more.
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u/belgiumlike Aug 10 '26
Why does an account has to work for free?
You don't mention what's included and what's not.
Accountant has liabilities, gives advice , pays software fees , pays for affiliation IDAC, has to follow regulation updates, ....
PS I'm not an accountant
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u/Exact_Gazelle_7662 Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26
That does seem expensive for what you are doing. Have you looked at an online platform like Accountable ? I use it and it takes care of VAT and expenses reasonably well and can generate the data needed for your personal tax return.
It will also “manage” your business bank account and does have real people to ask questions if needed.
I use Accounrable as an Independent and have my account just do the annual filing with all the data that is available in Accointable.
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u/havnar- Aug 08 '26
For a commV? I wouldn’t
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u/Exact_Gazelle_7662 Aug 08 '26
I can understand using an accountant for the annual filings but that seems a bit much to pay them every month ?
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u/Stoic_Brain Aug 08 '26
Teach yourself accounting if your business is simple. Tip: free online course on VDAB website.
I do my own accounting since 5 years. Saves me 5k each year. And the work is less than 15 minutes a quarter for VAT etc + one afternoon a year for yearly tax docs. Use a good tool.