From Numbers to People: A Different Approach to Accountancy

Accountancy is often seen as a world of figures, deadlines, and compliance. But for Hanne Van Ginneken, it begins — and ends — with people. Anyone who speaks with Hanne quickly realizes that accountancy, for her, is about far more than numbers alone. Behind every balance sheet stands an entrepreneur, behind every invoice a story. And it is precisely there that her passion lies.

Hanne grew up in a small village, but her entrepreneurial spirit showed itself early on. As a child, she created her own miniature library, complete with lending cards and return dates. “I was always organizing and building something,” she says with a smile. Still, her path did not immediately lead to accountancy. She initially trained as a teacher, but soon discovered that her true interests lay elsewhere.

“I do enjoy working with numbers, but what truly drives me are the entrepreneurs behind them.”

The real turning point came when she started working at an accountancy firm. Watching her employer engage with clients, she immediately understood: this profession is not just about filings and annual accounts. It is about thinking along, advising, and looking ahead. From that moment on, she was hooked.

A Decade of Dedication

The journey to where Hanne stands today was an intensive one. For ten years, she combined evening classes, a full-time job, and weekends dedicated to studying. “It was demanding, but I knew exactly what I was working towards,” she explains. Being active in practice while studying allowed theory and reality to reinforce one another seamlessly.

After gaining experience at several well-known Antwerp firms, she became increasingly aware of how she wanted to work — and how she didn’t. Larger firms offered scale, but often at the expense of continuity and personal connection.

“In our profession, having a trusted and consistent point of contact is essential. Clients don’t want to retell their story every two years.”

Her decision to start independently was driven not only by ambition, but by conviction. Potential partnerships that didn’t feel right were consciously left behind. That changed when she connected with Jo Vanbelle through VB Alliance. The alignment was immediate — no lengthy negotiations, just a shared sense that this was the right step.

Accountancy That Moves with the Client

What truly sets VB Tax & Accountancy apart is the way Hanne adapts to her clients. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. If an entrepreneur is highly numbers-driven, she dives deep into the figures. If someone is more creative or visionary, she translates that vision into financial clarity — without overwhelming them with technical detail.

Even her attire adapts to the client she is meeting — a subtle but telling detail of her mindset. “You adapt to your client because you genuinely want to understand them.”

This involvement goes far beyond the desk. With every new client, Hanne makes a point of visiting their business on site. She wants to understand how things work, how processes flow, and who the people are behind the operation. “We piece together a puzzle using invoices and bank transactions. The better we understand the story, the more accurate that puzzle becomes.”

From Processing to Advising

The sector is changing rapidly. Digitalization and AI are automating more and more operational tasks. Invoices are read automatically, clients have real-time access to their financials. Where conversations once centered around ‘How did we do?’, they now focus on ‘Where are we heading?’. For Hanne, this evolution is not a threat — it is an opportunity. Less time spent on processing means more time for advice and strategic guidance. Human insight remains irreplaceable.

“Technology can do a lot, but it still takes a human perspective to interpret, nuance, and guide decisions.”

In her view, the future of accountancy lies in guidance, planning, and trust — not in automation alone.

Transparency as the Key to Sustainable Growth

If Hanne could give entrepreneurs one piece of advice, it would be this: communicate openly and honestly with your advisors. Not only about numbers, but also about ambitions, limits, and emotions. Some entrepreneurs need a push forward, others need reassurance and stability. Understanding that distinction is what makes real guidance possible — and trust essential.

“Only when we see the full picture can we truly think along.”

As for the future, Hanne does not chase a single milestone or endpoint. Growth, for her, is not about quantity but quality — meaningful client relationships, strong collaborations, and the freedom to continue thinking alongside entrepreneurs.

And that is exactly what makes VB Tax & Accountancy such a valuable partner within VB Alliance: a human, thoughtful approach in a world that keeps accelerating.