As bookkeeping software continues to evolve, entrepreneurs increasingly expect automation, simplicity and real-time insights — without losing control over their finances. For accounting platforms, this means finding the right balance between smart automation, usability and reliable financial connectivity.
In this interview, Kirsten Huijsmans, Commercial Product Manager at e-Boekhouden.nl, shares her perspective on the changing expectations of entrepreneurs, the growing importance of real-time payment data, and the role of bank connectivity in modern bookkeeping software. She also explains how the collaboration with IBANXS helps e-Boekhouden.nl serve entrepreneurs across Europe while keeping bookkeeping simple and accessible.
How does e-Boekhouden.nl position itself in an increasingly competitive bookkeeping market?
At e-Boekhouden.nl, we focus on making bookkeeping simple and accessible for entrepreneurs. We have been supporting entrepreneurs, bookkeepers and accountants for more than 20 years with an online bookkeeping platform that combines affordability, functionality and personal service.
The market is becoming increasingly polarized. On one side, you have fully automated solutions; on the other, enterprise software that is often too complex for the average self-employed entrepreneur or SME. We consciously position ourselves in the middle.
Our users want to understand their bookkeeping while spending as little time on it as possible. That is why we automate routine tasks such as bank connections, invoice and receipt processing, and VAT filings — while ensuring entrepreneurs always maintain overview and control over their administration.
How do you see the role of real-time payment data in modern bookkeeping software?
Real-time payment data is what makes automation truly valuable. When a payment comes in and is immediately matched to an outstanding invoice without manual intervention, that creates real efficiency gains for entrepreneurs.
For us, bank connectivity is therefore not an additional feature — it is a core part of the product experience. The more seamless and reliable the connection between payments and bookkeeping becomes, the more time entrepreneurs can save.
What challenges do entrepreneurs face most often when it comes to payments and administration?
One of the biggest challenges is still the gap between payments and bookkeeping. An invoice has been sent, the payment has been received, but manually processing and reconciling everything still takes time and attention.
Entrepreneurs want to focus on running their business, not on repetitive administrative work. That is why reducing friction between financial transactions and bookkeeping is becoming increasingly important.
What do entrepreneurs expect today from a ‘smart’ bookkeeping platform?
AI and automation are becoming visible everywhere, including in the world of entrepreneurship. For most entrepreneurs, bookkeeping is something that comes with the business — not the reason they started it.
A smart bookkeeping platform should therefore automate repetitive tasks and save valuable time. At the same time, automation also increases the importance of transparency and usability. Entrepreneurs still want insight into their financial administration and confidence that everything is correct.
The challenge is not just automation itself, but combining automation with clarity, overview and control.
What does access to banks mean for e-Boekhouden.nl and its users?
Access to banks is essential for us because it allows us to serve entrepreneurs broadly and reliably. Every entrepreneur using e-Boekhouden.nl should be able to connect their bank account easily, regardless of where they bank.
Through our collaboration with IBANXS, we have access to more than 2,500 European banks, including premium APIs from Dutch banks. This enables us to provide bank connectivity at scale while maintaining a smooth user experience.
What opportunities does IBANXS create for bookkeeping platforms such as e-Boekhouden.nl?
The partnership with IBANXS allows us to focus on what we do best: building an intuitive and user-friendly bookkeeping platform for entrepreneurs.
Because IBANXS handles the complexity of bank connectivity, we can offer reliable access to thousands of European banks through a single integration. That scalability is extremely valuable for us as a platform.
Ultimately, this helps us support entrepreneurs more effectively while continuing to simplify bookkeeping processes as much as possible.