Guides

Understanding a Belgian company through its publications: what to look at, where it is published, how to read it — and how to do it in one question with Idonis.

Checking a company before you commit

A deposit, a delivery on credit, building work, an invoice to pay: what to look at before you commit, and where it is published.

  1. 1 How to check a Belgian building contractor before worksEnterprise number, annual accounts, Belgian Official Gazette, insurance: what to check, and where it is published, before you sign a quote or pay a deposit.7 min read
  2. 2 Checking a Belgian supplier before paying a depositCash, short-term debt, overdue social security debts, late filing: how to read a Belgian supplier's annual accounts to size the deposit you pay up front.6 min read
  3. 3 Checking a Belgian supplier invoice: numbers and IBANMandatory details on a Belgian invoice, active enterprise number, VAT in VIES, bank account, Peppol: the checks before you pay, and the IBAN fraud reflex.8 min read
  4. 4 Assessing a Belgian customer before selling on creditSize, solvency, liquidity, trend, overdue debts: how to read a new Belgian customer's annual accounts to set a credit limit it can carry before you deliver.7 min read

Reading and following annual accounts

Understanding abbreviated accounts, and following your clients' companies over time.

  1. 5 How to check a Belgian company, step by stepCompany register, Belgian Official Gazette, annual accounts at the NBB, VAT in VIES, Peppol, warning signs: how to check a Belgian company in six free steps.9 min read
  2. 6 Accounting firms: monitoring Belgian client companiesWhat is published about your clients and their counterparties (register, Central Balance Sheet Office, Gazette), the lists to keep, and how news reaches you.6 min read
  3. 7 Reading Belgian SME accounts: the five figures that countEquity, profit, cash and debts due within one year, solvency, overdue social debts: reading an abbreviated Belgian filing without turnover, item by item.8 min read

Reference pages

The score method, the ratios explained, a free tool, and who publishes these guides.