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Former student entrepreneurs are developing an accounting app for sole proprietorships
Former student entrepreneurs Robbe Claessens and Stan De Pauw noticed that students are often hesitant to take the leap into entrepreneurship because they are daunted by the paperwork and costs. Former
accountant Giel Thomas saw that many self-employed people struggled to find an accountant for their side business. Together, they developed Dexxter, a web application that allows student entrepreneurs and self-employed people with a side business to do their own bookkeeping, even if
they are not assisted by an accountant.
“With our first startup, White Labels, Robbe and I wanted to build a platform to connect freelance students offering marketing services with small and medium-sized businesses.
“It went pretty well, and we were even selected by Start it @KBC”
Stan De Pauw
Co-founder of Dexxter
The story of Robbe, Stan, and Giel
Robbe and Stan were student entrepreneurs in the marketing sector themselves. Giel had run an accounting firm for years and noticed an increasing number of students and self-employed people coming in who were doing this as a side business.
“There was one major problem, however: while there were plenty of capable students, many were put off by the administrative requirements and the costs. Their parents warned them that they had to remain financially dependent on them in order to keep receiving child benefits. And what if they also earned some extra money at the bakery on Sunday mornings?”
Accountant Giel continues: “In Belgium, student entrepreneurs enjoy a very favorable tax status. However, they must be careful not to exceed certain limits and ensure that their paperwork is in order.”
Do self-employed individuals with a side business have the same accounting needs?
Self-employed individuals with a side business also face certain restrictions, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find an accountant.
Dexxter combines the best of both worlds. The app helps
with bookkeeping, which means clients pay less for accounting services. This allows accountants to focus on providing tailored advice and eliminates the need to turn clients away. “After all, you never know how big a company might grow.”
Accounting firms are too often viewed with skepticism. As self-employed professionals in fields that typically have low revenue, they aren’t always seen as the ideal clients. For example, our firm also had trouble finding staff to handle the bookkeeping
Gil Thomas
Co-founder of Dexxter
What does the future hold?
“The first users are already very enthusiastic. We want to continue developing an app that explains entrepreneurship and accounting in a very clear way,” says Robbe, the team’s IT specialist.
That’s why we’ve also developed a Dexxter community, a learning center, an analysis tool, and a tax timeline. These ensure that business owners have complete peace of mind, that nothing is overlooked, and that everything is in order. Simple!