{"id":94906,"date":"2026-04-17T15:34:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T13:34:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/do-i-need-an-accountant-as-a-pensioner\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T13:27:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T11:27:16","slug":"do-i-need-an-accountant-as-a-pensioner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/en\/blog\/do-i-need-an-accountant-as-a-pensioner\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I need to hire an accountant as a self-employed pensioner?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Are you retired and starting out as a self-employed person? If so, you might be wondering: <em>do I need to hire an accountant<\/em>? <strong>The short answer: you can, but you don\u2019t have to<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we provide an explanation of the options available to you, and why more and more retired entrepreneurs are choosing to do their own bookkeeping. It\u2019s easy, cost-effective, and you can still seek advice from a professional where necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hiring an accountant: the traditional choice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hiring an accountant is <strong>the traditional route <\/strong>taken by many new self-employed people. An accountant takes a lot of work off your hands: they handle VAT declarations, the yearly tax return, your bookkeeping and offer advice on important decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But&#8230; did you know that an accountant can easily cost you <strong>\u20ac1,000 to \u20ac2,000 a year<\/strong>? For many retired self-employed people who are simply looking to earn a bit of extra income, that\u2019s a waste of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a company, it is advisable to work with an accountant, as you are required to create double-entry accounts. Without accounting knowledge, this is therefore very difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a <strong>sole proprietor<\/strong>, on the other hand, you can <strong>easily do your own bookkeeping<\/strong>. Then you won\u2019t have to pay an expensive accountant just to process your documents. Would you still like some extra advice? Then you can always seek advice from a consultant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id80019_31e9ec-de > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id80019_31e9ec-de > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id80019_31e9ec-de > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:826px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(30% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(70% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id80019_31e9ec-de{border-top-left-radius:20px;border-top-right-radius:20px;border-bottom-right-radius:20px;border-bottom-left-radius:20px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id80019_31e9ec-de > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:20px;border-top-right-radius:20px;border-bottom-right-radius:20px;border-bottom-left-radius:20px;}.kb-row-layout-id80019_31e9ec-de{background-color:#f0f4ff;}.kb-row-layout-id80019_31e9ec-de > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id80019_31e9ec-de > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id80019_31e9ec-de > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id80019_31e9ec-de alignnone kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle\">\n<style>.kadence-column80019_06b992-08 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column80019_06b992-08 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column80019_06b992-08 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column80019_06b992-08 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column80019_06b992-08 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column80019_06b992-08 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column80019_06b992-08{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column80019_06b992-08{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column80019_06b992-08 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column80019_06b992-08 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column80019_06b992-08{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column80019_06b992-08{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column80019_06b992-08{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column80019_06b992-08 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column80019_06b992-08 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column80019_06b992-08{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column80019_06b992-08{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column80019_06b992-08 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column80019_06b992-08 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column80019_06b992-08\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/man-die-wil-starten-met-onderneming-en-twijfelt-over-activiteiten.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24347\" style=\"width:213px;height:213px\"><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column80019_6b8641-f2 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column80019_6b8641-f2 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column80019_6b8641-f2 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column80019_6b8641-f2 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column80019_6b8641-f2 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column80019_6b8641-f2 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column80019_6b8641-f2{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column80019_6b8641-f2 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column80019_6b8641-f2 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column80019_6b8641-f2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tip<\/strong> <strong>from an accountant<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Most pensioners operate as sole proprietors. It\u2019s cheaper and easier to set up.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you do your own bookkeeping as a pensioner?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To do your own bookkeeping, you need <strong>software<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/en\/replace-excel-with-peppol\/\">Excel<\/a> is an option, but it doesn\u2019t cover all the aspects you need to do your bookkeeping. An accounting package is therefore a better option!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What must an accounting package definitely include?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With an accounting package, you want to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be able to issue invoices and automatically enter them into your accounts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be able to create quotations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Submit all declarations in just a few clicks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be notified of important deadlines<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Receive an explanation at every step<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which accounting software is best for a self-employed pensioner?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/en\/home\/\">User-friendly software such as <strong>Dexxter<\/strong><\/a> can help you with your admin, without any prior knowledge of bookkeeping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Via Dexxter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Simply enter your income and expenses yourself<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Your VAT declaration is prepared automatically<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>You receive clear explanations at every step<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Submit your return with just a few clicks<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, with the Dexxter accounting software, you can easily take control of your own bookkeeping. This means you don\u2019t have to pay an expensive accountant to make your admin okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, it can still be useful to be able to ask questions. Dexxter has a community where you can easily ask other self-employed people your questions. For accounting queries, you can contact a <a href=\"https:\/\/advisors.dexxter.be\/index\/verified\">qualified accountant<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And the best part? <strong>Dexxter costs just a fraction of what an accountant would charge<\/strong>. Whereas a traditional accountancy firm can easily set you back hundreds of euros, with us you pay just a few dozen euros a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Still need advice from an accountant? That\u2019s still possible!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You might be thinking: \u201cWhat if I get stuck? Or have a question?\u201d No problem. Even if you do your own bookkeeping via Dexxter, you can always call on a professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can book individual consultation sessions with one of our partners. This way, you get help exactly when you need it, <strong>without the high fixed costs<\/strong> of a traditional accountant. This ensures your total costs remain much lower, whilst you can still be sure of accurate guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Examples of advice for which you might want to consult an accountant:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Applying for your VAT number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Selecting different VAT schemes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Guidance with your first tax return<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More complex tax questions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advice tailored to your personal situation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In summary: do I need an accountant as a retired self-employed person?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Question <\/th><th>Answer<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Do I need to hire an accountant? <\/td><td>No, you don\u2019t have to.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Can I do my own bookkeeping? <\/td><td>Yes, easily via Dexxter!<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>What if I need advice? <\/td><td>You can book a one-off appointment with an <a href=\"https:\/\/advisors.dexxter.be\/index\/verified\">advisor<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>How much does it cost? <\/td><td>Much less than a traditional accountant. Just 180 euros a year!<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Is there help available to get started? <\/td><td>Yes, Dexxter offers a free bookkeeping course(in dutch) and a community where you can ask questions<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you retired and starting out as a self-employed person? If so, you might be wondering: do I need to hire an accountant? The short answer: you can, but you don\u2019t have to. In this article, we provide an explanation of the options available to you, and why more and more retired entrepreneurs are choosing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":64354,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43,52],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-94906","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-accountant","category-doing-your-own-accounting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94906","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=94906"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94906\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":94907,"href":"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94906\/revisions\/94907"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64354"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=94906"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=94906"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dexxter.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=94906"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}