Fiduciaire Ryckeman Gebroeders

Fiduciaire Ryckeman is an accounting firm in Bruges, located on Dirk Martensstraat in the Waggelwater industrial estate in Sint-Andries. Its story begins in 1928, when the brothers Roger and Albert Ryckeman founded it. It quickly became one of the leading players in West Flanders. In 1969, management passed to Albert's son, Roger Ryckeman, who ran it until 1992. Under his leadership, the office left Lauwerstraat in 1987 for a larger building that is still its base today.

With no successor in the family, Roger Ryckeman and his family handed the business over in 1992 through a management buy-out to two long-serving staff members, Daniël Defreyne and Raf Despierre. They ran the firm together until Raf Despierre's death in 2017. In 2019, Mieke Defreyne became a partner and director, and the firm has since been led by Daniël and Mieke Defreyne, supported by a team of specialists and staff.

The firm serves SMEs and self-employed people. It says it specialises in accounting law, tax law, company law and employment law, and emphasises personal contact based on trust. Each client has a fixed file manager who takes a personal and discreet approach. Start-ups and established businesses are welcome for a free first meeting. The firm says it is known for its open communication with clients, and aims to build a lasting relationship with each of them to support the development, expansion and follow-up of their business.

In bookkeeping, the firm relies on digitisation with Exact Online, so the accounts are available anywhere at any time. It helps set up and organise the books, records incoming and outgoing invoices at the agreed frequency, follows bank statements, prepares and files VAT returns and intrastat declarations, draws up the balance sheet and income statement and files the annual accounts. Clients who prefer to record all or part of their own books can leave the checks and closings to the firm.

The tax side covers corporate income tax, legal entities tax, personal income tax, non-resident tax, VAT and inheritance and registration duties. Staff follow ongoing training to bring files into line with the law and optimise them. Business advice supports setting up a company or sole proprietorship, following the structure and the growth of businesses in various sectors.

A sister company, Fiduciaire Ryckeman bv, provides full, tailored payroll services and advises on setting up or reviewing personnel policy. In-house experts also give legal advice on employment law, an area the firm sees as highly exposed to legislative change.