ARFIBO

Arfibo is a firm of accountants at number 10 Leeuwkestraat in Waregem, West Flanders. Since 1999 it has focused on accounting, tax advice and financial advice for companies, non-profit associations and sole traders. Its two directors, Ann Landuyt and Rik Arno, are both registered with the ITAA as tax accountants. The firm stresses its independence and the quality of its work, which in its own words make it a reliable counterpart for the supervisory authorities. The team numbers around ten staff, including a trainee certified accountant.

In accounting, Arfibo works for large companies as well as small businesses and sole traders. For the former, it acts as an extension of the in-house accounting department. For the latter, it takes the whole workload off their hands. Its services cover bookkeeping, tax obligations, VAT returns, year-end closing and preparing the annual accounts, as well as discussing interim results. The firm also advises on balance sheet optimisation, whether clients keep their own books or outsource them, and aims for a lasting relationship between accountant and company.

Tax matters apply to every client, sole trader or company. Arfibo advises on direct and indirect taxes, handles personal income tax and corporate income tax, maintains contact with the tax authorities and assists clients during tax audits. Its news items show the topics it follows: the minimum director's pay rising to 51,000 euros for the reduced corporate tax rate, the cap on benefits in kind, the supplementary pension for part-time self-employed people, or disputing invoices received through Peppol.

Estate planning is done together with the notary. The firm draws up a succession plan that matches the client's wishes, so that the heirs can benefit as fully as possible from what has been built up without paying unduly high inheritance tax. Its experts cover family planning more broadly in all its aspects. Along the same protective line, the firm has published notes on the declaration making the family home exempt from seizure, on taking a building out of a company and on the new rules for lasting powers of attorney from September 2027.

Arfibo guides start-ups from idea to incorporation: financial plan, choice between sole trader and company, registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, applying for the company number, activating the VAT number and joining a social insurance fund. It also works in corporate finance, as an intermediary between seller and buyer, and supports mergers, acquisitions and restructurings, from strategy and due diligence to negotiations. In financial planning, it helps find the right balance between equity and borrowed funds and checks whether the company can meet its obligations in good times and bad.

For administration, the firm relies on digitalisation partners, Bill-it and Clearfacts. Clients send their invoicing documents through the platform, the firm handles the rest, and invoices remain available in a digital archive. A client portal, MyArfibo, gives access to the figures. Each client has a dedicated file manager as a fixed point of contact. The firm works from new, spacious offices and is recruiting junior and senior file managers to support its growth. It sends a newsletter with tax updates and business news. The website is written in Dutch.