Six categories covering compilation, audit, financial reporting, tax, law and regulation, and developments. The same knowledge base Futura uses internally — now open for anyone who wants to read along.
Compilation engagements are at the heart of Dutch accountancy practice. The applicable standard — NV COS 4410 — sets requirements for engagement acceptance, execution and reporting. Futura works fully in line with this standard, supplemented by NBA practice guidelines.
The core of every compilation process. Defines what the accountant does, how it is documented and what is reported.
Practical guidance on 4410 for smaller practices. Essential for any accountant serving SME clients.
How the Dutch code of conduct for accountants (VGBA) handles conflicts of interest and independence questions. Revised in December 2024.
The rules for handover between firms. What information may and must be shared when a client switches — and how the previous accountant is expected to respond.
The NBA publishes standard report wording. Futura uses these as the basis for all compilation reports.
The quality requirements every accountancy practice must meet. Futura is reviewed annually against this standard.
A good engagement letter sets out what you may expect from your accountant — and what your accountant expects from you.
In a compilation engagement (NV COS 4410) the accountant converts your administration into a set of accounts based on the information you provide — he does not audit that information. In an audit (NV COS 700) the accountant actively investigates and gives an opinion on whether the figures are correct. Compilation is not a weaker form of audit, but a different service with a different scope.
Yes — a signed engagement letter is legally required for every accountancy engagement. NBA regulation requires that mutual responsibilities, the nature of the engagement, the price and the duration are set out in writing before work begins. Without a signature, Futura cannot start your engagement.
From the moment the file is complete — all documents submitted and reconciling — a compilation engagement at Futura takes three to five weeks on average. The biggest variable is not the work itself but how fast the intake phase runs. That is why we invest in file preparation by Suzi before Job and Gerti begin.
Late submission delays not only your accounts but also your tax return and filing with the Chamber of Commerce. The legal filing deadline for small BVs is twelve months after year-end. Futura flags well in advance what we need and follows up actively, so you do not accidentally incur fines.
The same NV COS 4410, NBA guidelines and quality standards sit inside the Brickl OS knowledge base. Our own AI system that passes practice reviews daily.
Not every business is required to have an audit. But for organisations that are — subsidised foundations, medium-sized BVs, housing corporations — strict rules apply. Futura explains what an audit involves and when it becomes relevant for you.
Medium-sized and large legal entities must have their accounts audited. Thresholds: two of three criteria — balance sheet total > €6M, revenue > €12M, staff > 50 FTE.
An unqualified opinion is not the same as a flawless set of accounts. It means the auditor has found no material misstatements.
Auditors have a signalling function when fraud is suspected. NBA guideline 1154 explains how they deal with it.
If there is doubt about the continuity of your business, the auditor must mention it in the opinion. NBA guideline 1151 describes when that applies.
What does the auditor do when a client is breaking the law? The NV NOCLAR provides the answer.
How auditors deploy data-analysis techniques in audit work. Defines what is expected of modern audit procedures and how findings are documented.
Current warnings on topics the NBA considers urgent — from fraud detection and going concern to engagement acceptance under elevated risk.
A legal entity becomes audit-required as soon as it exceeds two of the three thresholds: balance sheet total above €6 million, net revenue above €12 million, or more than 50 FTE on average. These thresholds are in article 2:397 of the Dutch Civil Code. Subsidised foundations, housing corporations and investment firms also face sector-specific audit requirements.
An unqualified opinion means the auditor has reasonable assurance that the accounts contain no material misstatements. It is not a guarantee that every figure is correct to the cent — it is a professional judgement based on sampling, risk analysis and testing under NV COS 700. Unqualified is not error-free, but it is reliable.
Yes. Common reasons include a bank financing application, a planned sale, requirements from a grant provider, or an internal need for assurance. A voluntary audit follows the same standards as a statutory one and provides the same level of assurance.
Under NBA guideline 1154, the accountant must actively consider fraud risks, follow up on concrete signals, perform additional procedures and in serious cases reconsider the engagement. Under NOCLAR, the accountant must discuss non-compliance with management and escalate if necessary — up to and including reporting to the relevant authorities.
NV COS 700, NOCLAR and NBA guidelines 1151 and 1154 all sit inside Brickl OS — searchable, structured and updated daily.
The Dutch Accounting Standards (RJ) determine how Dutch entities must present their accounts. Small entities have simplified rules; medium and large entities face more extensive requirements.
Small BVs and foundations have significant latitude in their accounts. But there are minimum requirements. We explain what is mandatory.
The choice of valuation policy affects both your result and your tax burden. A deliberate choice is essential.
Non-profit organisations follow different reporting rules. RJ 640 is the guide.
Most Dutch SMEs use RJ. But internationally operating businesses or subsidiaries of foreign parents may encounter IFRS.
The most relevant recent changes in IFRS standards. What changed, when it takes effect and which entities are affected.
The IFRS standard for the cash flow statement. Direct or indirect method, classification of operating, investing and financing activities, and presentation requirements.
When to consolidate and how. The concept of control under IFRS and the main differences with the Dutch RJ guidelines.
Yes, every BV must file annual accounts with the Chamber of Commerce within twelve months of year-end. Small entities can file a highly simplified balance sheet and notes — the profit-and-loss account does not need to be made public. Failing to file is an economic offence and makes directors personally liable in the event of bankruptcy.
RJ (Dutch GAAP) is the Netherlands standard for non-listed entities. IFRS is international and mandatory for listed groups. IFRS is more detailed and more frequently applies fair value; RJ allows more flexibility and is more practical for SMEs. Most Dutch SMEs use RJ.
Yes, under RJ 212 you may value commercial real estate at fair value instead of historical cost. That gives a more realistic picture of your net worth, but creates a revaluation reserve that is not tax-deductible. It is a deliberate choice with consequences for presentation, tax burden and profit measurement — seek proper advice.
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value. For cost you may choose FIFO (first in, first out), weighted average or — exceptionally — LIFO. Which method fits best depends on your industry, price stability and inventory composition. Consistency matters more than the choice itself.
The full RJ series and the IFRS standards sit inside the Brickl OS knowledge base. Ask Victor or Karel about RJ 212 or IAS 2 — they cite directly from the source.
Tax law changes every year. Rates, thresholds, deductions — it is a jungle. Frank Verhoeven tracks everything and translates it into what it means for you.
Corporate tax is 19% on profits up to €200,000. Above that 25.8%. Smart planning makes the difference.
The minimum for 2025 is €56,000. Paying yourself less? You risk correction.
Electric, hybrid or fossil — the additional tax liability differs. And the rules for business use as well.
Borrowing more than €700,000 from your BV? The excess is taxed as income. No deferral.
The Business Succession Scheme is the largest fiscal facility for entrepreneurs. But only if you apply it correctly.
When do you charge VAT? When reverse-charged? What are the rules for cross-border services?
The foundation of income tax for entrepreneurs and individuals in the Netherlands. Futura links directly to the enacted legislation, with annotations on the articles most relevant for you.
The minimum customary DGA salary for 2025 is €56,000. The Tax Authority may use the highest of three amounts: 100% of the salary of the most comparable employee, the salary of the highest-paid employee in your BV, or €56,000. Paying yourself less is only possible with robust substantiation.
Your BV pays 19% corporate income tax on the first €200,000 of profit. Above that the standard rate of 25.8% applies. By spreading profits, timing investments or using the innovation box, you can structurally lower your effective tax burden.
Since 1 January 2023 the Excessive Borrowing Act applies: if as a DGA you borrow more than €700,000 from your BV (excluding mortgage debt for your primary home), the excess is taxed as box 2 income. This threshold is measured on 31 December each year. There is no deferral — the excess is treated as a deemed distribution.
Usually not. The Dutch Business Succession Scheme only applies to business assets, and real estate rented to third parties is typically treated as investment assets. Only when the real estate is genuinely deployed within an active business — for example in project development — can it qualify. Each situation must be assessed individually.
Frank is available inside Brickl OS with the full tax landscape: Tax Plan, legislative changes, case law and NBA alerts — updated daily.
Running a business in the Netherlands means navigating a forest of legislation. Futura tracks what changes — and what it means for you.
Enforcement of the DBA Act was fully resumed on 1 January 2025. What are the risks if you work with freelancers?
The Top Incomes Standards Act applies to executives in the (semi-)public sector. The 2025 cap is €246,000.
Every BV and foundation must register its ultimate beneficial owners. Non-compliance can lead to fines.
Accountants are gatekeepers under the Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act. What does that mean in practice?
The General Data Protection Regulation applies to SMEs too. Privacy statement, processor register, data breaches — the basics.
The specific audit frameworks for local government. What accountants auditing a municipal or provincial balance sheet need to know, and how it connects to the regular NV COS standards.
The protocol accountants use when testing WNT remuneration compliance. Revised annually by the Ministry of the Interior — Futura tracks the changes and translates them into practice.
Single Information Single Audit — how specific grants are reported in an annex to the financial statements of municipalities and provinces.
Yes, but with significantly more risk. Enforcement of the DBA Act was fully resumed on 1 January 2025. If the Tax Authority concludes that a freelance relationship is effectively employment, it can retroactively levy payroll taxes and social contributions — with interest and penalties. Ensure clear contract terms, genuine independence and avoid hierarchical relationships.
Yes. Every Dutch BV, foundation, association and partnership must register its ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) with the Chamber of Commerce. A UBO is anyone with more than 25% economic interest or effective control. Non-registration is an economic offence and can result in significant fines.
Under the Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act (Wwft), accountants act as gatekeepers. We are required to identify our clients, perform risk assessments and report unusual transactions to FIU-Netherlands. That reporting obligation takes precedence over professional confidentiality.
The Top Incomes Standards Act (WNT) applies to directors and supervisory board members of (semi-)public sector organisations: healthcare, housing corporations, education, cultural institutions and similar. The general remuneration cap for 2025 is €246,000. Some sectors apply lower sector-specific norms.
DBA, Wwft, GDPR, UBO, WNT — the regulation module in Brickl OS tracks every change and flags when your firm or client needs to adapt.
The accountancy world does not stand still. New standards, tax changes, NBA alerts, case law — Frank and Victor track everything and publish updates here regularly.
The NBA has revised the practice guideline for SME compilation engagements. Futura is updating its work programmes accordingly.
The Tax Authority has announced increased attention on customary salary and shareholder loan positions for owner-directors.
As of 1 January 2025 the Tax Authority enforces the DBA Act without limitation. Clients working with freelancers face risk if the relationship is effectively employment.
The NBA has revised guideline 1130 (VGBA and conflict situations). The emphasis now lies even more explicitly on independence issues and how to handle them in practice.
As of 1 January 2025 several IFRS changes have come into force. Futura tracks which clients are affected and flags when their accounts need updating.
Frank and Victor publish monthly updates on tax changes, NBA alerts, case law and regulation. Major changes — such as the annual Tax Plan or a new NV COS — get a dedicated item immediately. You can subscribe via our LinkedIn page or by emailing info@futura-accountancy.nl.
Official NBA alerts are published on nba.nl under Publications > Practice Guidelines and NBA Alerts. Futura translates the most important ones into what they concretely mean for SME entrepreneurs — so you do not have to wade through the source documents yourself.
Yes, via our LinkedIn page we publish all knowledge articles and news items. Clients also receive a personal update when a change directly affects their situation — that is part of our advisory role, not a separate newsletter.
We continuously track NBA.nl, the Dutch Tax Authority, rijksoverheid.nl, Taxlive, case law via rechtspraak.nl and sector associations. Brickl OS — our AI system — indexes these sources daily, so we can rapidly flag what is relevant for our clients.
The news module in Brickl OS crawls and weighs sources 24/7. What you see here is a summary — the full stream sits inside Brickl.
Futura uses Brickl OS — an AI system fed by official NBA, RJ, IFRS and fiscal documents. Want to know how this system can work for your firm? Brickl OS is a plug-and-play Mac Mini running within one day.
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