A bookkeeper is a professional who deals with the financial records of a company or organisation. He or she keeps track of all income, expenses, tax liabilities and other financial transactions. This gives entrepreneurs a clear overview of their financial situation and allows them to make informed decisions. A good accountant ensures that the records are always correct and meet legal requirements. In addition, the accountant plays an important role in preparing annual accounts, tax returns and reports. This not only prevents mistakes, but also saves you a lot of time and money.
Origins and providers
Bookkeeping has been around for centuries, but the modern accountant has evolved over the years. Originally, entrepreneurs often did their bookkeeping themselves. But as businesses grew, the task became more complex and demand for specialised professionals arose. Today, both small self-employed people and large accounting firms offer bookkeeping services. Bookkeepers can work in different types of organisations: from sole traders to multinationals. They offer their services within different sectors, such as retail, construction, and IT. Nowadays, there is also an emergence of digital accounting platforms, where accountants offer support both physically and remotely.
This is how an accountant works
Bookkeepers work in a precise and structured way. They collect all financial data, such as invoices and receipts, and process it in accounting software. Based on this data, they prepare reports that provide insight into a company’s financial health. They also check the figures to avoid any errors. You can hire a bookkeeper for various services:
- Keeping daily records
- VAT returns
- Preparing financial statements
- Tax advice
- Payroll
Depending on your needs, an accountant offers both full and partial support, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.
How to get started
Employing an accountant in your organisation can be done in several ways, depending on your business needs. As a business owner, you can choose to employ an in-house bookkeeper. This is especially useful if you have a medium or large business with complex financial transactions. Another option is to outsource your accounting to an external accounting firm or freelancer. This is often a better choice for small businesses and self-employed people who do not have enough work to justify a full-time accountant. You can also choose to hire a bookkeeper only for specific tasks, such as tax returns or annual accounts. This way, you can be flexible with the costs and time you save.
Laws and regulations
Bookkeepers must comply with strict laws and regulations. In the Netherlands, for example, it is compulsory to keep your records for seven years. This is laid down in the Algemene Wet inzake Rijksbelastingen (AWR). There are also specific rules for tax returns, such as the obligation to submit VAT returns on time. For companies that employ staff, it is also mandatory to keep payroll records. Furthermore, the annual accounts, prepared by the accountant, are mandatory for larger companies to file with the Chamber of Commerce. The accountant will help you comply with these rules so that you always comply with the law and avoid fines.
Recent developments
The accounting sector has seen significant developments in recent years, especially in the field of technology. Digitisation and automation have taken over many manual tasks, allowing accountants to work more efficiently. Think of software that automatically reads invoices and organises financial data. In addition, cloud accounting is becoming increasingly popular. This allows entrepreneurs to access their records anywhere, anytime. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is also changing the way accountants work. AI can recognise patterns in data and detect errors in financial reports. This allows accountants to focus more on advice and strategic support instead of performing routine tasks.
This is how to choose an accountant
When choosing an accountant, there are several factors to consider. First, it is important that the bookkeeper has the right qualifications and experience in your sector. This ensures that the accountant is well versed in specific rules and regulations that apply to your business. You should also pay attention to the accountant’s reliability and reputation. Ask for references or read online reviews to get a good idea. It is also wise to look at the accounting software used. Ideally, the accountant should use modern, computerised systems to minimise errors and make collaboration more efficient. Finally, transparency about costs is essential so that you don’t get any surprises.
TriFact365’s role in improving accounting functionality
TriFact365 is an innovative platform that makes cooperation between accountant and entrepreneur more efficient. The system automates many processes that are normally done manually, such as booking invoices. By reading invoices digitally, TriFact365 not only saves time, but also the risk of errors. In addition, the software easily integrates with existing accounting packages, allowing you to work seamlessly with your current systems. For the accountant, this means more time for advice and strategic support, instead of performing repetitive administrative tasks. TriFact365 thus offers a valuable addition to an bookkeepers existing working methods, leading to more efficiency and accuracy in financial administration.
