How to choose the right accounting software
What to look for when choosing bookkeeping software as a freelancer or small business in the Netherlands. A practical checklist.
There are dozens of online bookkeeping packages. The best one is not the one with the most features, but the one that fits how you work. Use this checklist.
1. Start with your situation
- Legal form: a sole proprietorship is fine with simple software; a BV needs double-entry bookkeeping and often annual accounts.
- Volume: how many invoices and receipts do you process per month?
- VAT: do you use several rates, foreign customers or the small business scheme (KOR)?
- Your accountant: can they check your books or log in?
2. Features that really matter
- Creating and sending invoices, ideally with reminders and UBL support.
- Bank feed that imports and matches transactions automatically.
- VAT return you can review and preferably submit directly.
- Receipt scanning through an app.
- Data export, so you are not locked in to one vendor.
3. Watch the costs
Don’t compare only the monthly price. Look at cost per user, extra modules, invoices included in the plan and whether the bank feed costs extra.
4. Test before you commit
Most vendors offer a trial. Book one real month of administration during the trial and see if you can finish it without frustration.
5. Common mistakes
- Choosing because of a discount.
- Paying for features you never use.
- Not checking how to export or migrate your data.
Tip: use our glossary if you don’t understand a term in the software.