How we work
How working with Finance People goes, step by step
Working with an accountant for creatives in Amsterdam should feel simple: you know what to send, when to send it and what happens next. At Finance People there is one person on the other side, Michiel Terwindt, from the first conversation to the last return of the year. This page describes the route from waitlist to introduction, how the scope and price are agreed and what a normal year looks like, so you can judge in advance whether this way of working suits you.
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Finance People is fully booked for 2026. You can sign up for 2027 now.
Start
From the waitlist to an introductory talk with your accountant
Finance People takes on no new clients in 2026. The route in starts with the waitlist for new clients in 2027, which is free and without obligation. When a place opens, Michiel contacts people in the order they signed up and proposes an introductory talk. In that conversation you describe your work, your income streams and what you need, and Michiel explains how he would approach it. Both of you then decide whether to go ahead.
Scope and price
Agreeing the bookkeeping scope and a predictable fee
After the introduction, you agree which services you need. For most creatives that is a combination of bookkeeping, VAT returns and the income tax return, sometimes with annual accounts. The price is tailored to that scope and is often agreed as a fixed fee per year or per month, so the costs are predictable. There are no standard packages, because a composer with royalties and a web designer with retainers need different things.
The year
A normal year of bookkeeping, VAT and tax returns
- Throughout the year you send invoices and receipts as they come in.
- Michiel keeps your bookkeeping as a creative freelancer up to date and asks questions while details are still fresh.
- After every quarter (or month) he prepares and files your quarterly VAT return.
- After year end he closes the books and, where useful, prepares annual accounts.
- In spring he prepares your annual Dutch income tax return and explains the outcome.
Questions between the VAT quarters
Between those moments you can ask questions whenever something comes up, such as a large new commission or a letter from the Belastingdienst.
Contact
Communication with your accountant, in English or Dutch
You communicate with Michiel directly by WhatsApp, email or phone. On WhatsApp he usually replies within an hour. He works in English and Dutch, so international clients can ask and receive everything in English. There is no receptionist or office team: the person who answers is the person who does your work. All ways to reach Finance People are listed on the contact page.
Your part
What your bookkeeper asks of you
The collaboration works best when a few simple things are in place:
- a separate bank account for your business, if possible;
- invoices and receipts sent regularly, at least once per VAT period;
- a quick reply when Michiel asks about an unclear item;
- a heads-up about big changes, such as moving abroad, a new job or a large purchase.
What you get in return from your accountant
In return you get an accountant who knows your situation and who has, as you can read on the page about Michiel Terwindt, worked in finance since 1999.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked: how working with Finance People goes, step by step
What happens during the introductory talk with Michiel?
During the introductory talk, Michiel asks about your creative work, your income streams, your costs and what you need help with. He explains how he would approach your bookkeeping and returns. Afterwards both of you decide whether to work together, and the scope and price are agreed.
Do I know the price before Finance People starts working for me?
Yes, you know the price before Finance People starts working for you. After the introductory talk the scope is agreed and a tailored price is set, often as a fixed fee per year or per month. That way the costs are predictable and there are no surprises at year end.
How do I send my documents to Finance People?
You send your documents to Finance People digitally, in a way that is agreed with Michiel at the start of the collaboration. Photos or scans of receipts and PDF invoices work fine. The important thing is that everything for a VAT period arrives before the return is prepared.
Do I ever need to visit the office in Amsterdam Oost?
You rarely need to visit the Finance People office in Amsterdam Oost, because most of the work happens by email, phone and WhatsApp. A meeting in person can be arranged when it is useful, for example for the introduction or to go through your annual figures together.
What do I need to do myself as a client of Finance People?
As a client of Finance People, you need to send your invoices and receipts regularly, answer questions about unclear items and report big changes in your situation. Michiel handles the bookkeeping, the returns and the contact with the Belastingdienst about those returns.
What should I do when I receive a letter from the Belastingdienst?
When you receive a letter from the Belastingdienst, send a photo or scan of it to Michiel by WhatsApp or email. He tells you what it means, whether anything needs to be done and by when. Many letters are routine, such as a provisional assessment, and need no action from you.
How does Finance People handle my personal and financial data?
Finance People handles your personal and financial data only for the work agreed with you, and Michiel processes it himself without staff. The details, including how long data is kept and what your rights are under the GDPR, are in the privacy statement on this website.
Can I end the collaboration if my situation changes?
You can end the collaboration with Finance People if your situation changes, for example when you stop freelancing or move abroad. The arrangements for ending, such as notice and the handover of your records, are set out in the terms and conditions. Michiel makes sure the current period is closed properly.
Working with Michiel in 2027?
Finance People works with a limited number of makers, so everyone gets Michiel himself on the line. Put your name on the waitlist and you will hear as soon as there is room.