Navigating Dutch compliance from abroad: Access Financial International SA
When you're busy managing international business operations from multiple countries, ensuring compliance with local employment regulations can be complicated. Kevin Austin, director and co-shareholder of Access Financial International SA, experienced this firsthand. Their Dutch company faced the complexities of the Dutch rules regarding secondment, temporary employment and payrolling. External certification is preferred by many of their clients, so Kevin turned to Baker Tilly for assistance in obtaining this NEN certification.
They showed us what we had to do, what we weren't doing, and they took us through the whole process. Made sure it was all tested thoroughly pre-audit. You can't really ask for more than that.
Kevin has spent 20 years building AFI SA into an international operation. Speaking with him, his drive and entrepreneurial enthusiasm are immediately apparent. But even passionate and experienced entrepreneurs need local expertise when navigating Dutch labour law.
The organisation
Access Financial International SA (AFI SA) operates as a global provider of contract management, outsourced payroll, and umbrella services. They've been providing these services since 2003, in the Netherlands via the entity The Payroll Advisor B.V.
With Kevin mainly based in Cyprus, financial operations partly managed from India, and business operations coordinated from the UK, the company operates globally. However, this distributed structure, whilst offering many advantages, also creates challenges when it comes to understanding and complying with specific Dutch employment regulations.
The challenge
Dutch law can be challenging when it comes to payrolling, as clients want to limit any tax exposure or liabilities surrounding payrolling. For a payroll organisation serving international clients, compliance with Dutch rules such as the Waadi is essential, and the success of the business may well depend on whether clients view you as a trustworthy partner. A NEN-certification can help in this regard, as it is an independent confirmation of compliance with the relevant rules. In practice, this certification is essential for business credibility and operations. In preparing for a NEN audit, potential gaps in internal processes and compliance procedures were identified, that needed immediate attention.
"Operating internationally means you’re not always aware of every local regulation," Kevin reflects. "Due to our international background, we had less knowledge of Dutch employment rules. It was clear that we needed expert help."
With their reputation and client relationships at stake, they needed guidance. And they needed it quickly.
The right match
The choice to work with Baker Tilly over larger alternatives was strategic. Access Financial International SA needed sophisticated expertise, but without the scale that attracts the biggest firms. "If you're dealing with one of the big four practices, they're not interested in companies of our size," Kevin notes. "We had to find someone who has the right match for us. We can't have a small company where when the partner goes on holiday, there's no service. And we can't deal with a company that's just interested in multinational businesses and huge fee incomes."
Baker Tilly turned out to be a perfect match. Big enough to provide the expertise that was needed, exactly when AFSI SA needed it. With a large international network, offering access to local expertise should the need arise. But with an unmistakable personal touch, direct lines of communication and a passion for providing excellent services.
What followed was not just a quick fix, but a thorough review that went far beyond simply addressing the immediate certification requirements. Baker Tilly's Employment Advisory team conducted a complete analysis of The Payroll Advisor B.V.'s HR processes. They identified not just compliance gaps but also opportunities for operational improvement. The approach required starting from zero in many areas, completely rebuilding processes to ensure both compliance and efficiency. It was a thorough transformation, exactly what The Payroll Advisor B.V. needed at that moment.
The result: recognition and optimisation
The approach paid off. With help of the Baker Tilly team, The Payroll Advisor B.V. passed the rigorous process of NEN certification. "With flying colours," as Kevin proudly notes. "Baker Tilly didn't just fix the immediate problem. They reviewed our entire HR process from beginning to end. They put their finger on exactly where the pain points were," Kevin explains. The result was not only compliance but also improved operational efficiency through better processes, clearer procedures, and systematic approaches to onboarding and offboarding.
Beyond solving the immediate crisis, Baker Tilly established a foundation for ongoing compliance management. "What impressed me most was Baker Tilly's complete in-house knowledge. Their Employment Advisory team worked together to not just get us compliant, but to build processes that will keep us compliant going forward," Kevin emphasises.
Continuing partnership for future challenges
This holistic and self-correcting approach to compliance matters even more now that regulations are changing. With the Waadi legislation set to become even stricter in the Netherlands, companies will soon face even more complex compliance requirements.
But Kevin knows his organisation is now well-prepared. The Payroll Advisor B.V. now performs semi-annual reviews, to stay on top of compliance. This will prevent future issues instead of having to address problems after they arise. Eventually, this should lead to flawless reviews, in which case the frequency of the inspections will be reduced from twice a year to once a year. With Baker Tilly's experience in NEN pre-audit preparation, Kevin knows they're in good hands for whatever comes next.
Competitive advantage for the future
As our conversation concludes, Kevin offers advice for other international companies considering Dutch operations: "Understanding local regulations is crucial, but you don't have to do it alone. Having the right expertise at your disposal makes all the difference."
The success of this partnership demonstrates how the right advisory support can help businesses transform compliance challenges into a competitive advantage. For Access Financial International SA, working with Baker Tilly wasn't just about obtaining a certificate. It was about building a solid foundation for controlled growth in the Dutch market.
Ready for International business?
Do you have any questions about Baker Tilly’s services? Or are you curious about what we can do for your business? Please feel free to contact us. We’ll be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.
The legislation and regulations in this area may be subject to change. We recommend that you discuss the potential impact of this with your Baker Tilly advisor.
