By Mario de Laat – Senior Business Consultant & Tax Advisor at AXP Adviseurs, specialist trade companies
In the world of trade companies, every move counts. An order placed today might be shipped abroad tomorrow – and paid for the day after. Or not. In this fast-paced environment, insight, flexibility and speed are essential. And it all starts with a well-structured financial administration.
At AXP, I work daily with trade companies that lead the way in their sectors. From consumer goods importers to food distributors, from building materials wholesalers to maritime suppliers active in port areas. What connects them all? The need for real-time insight, scalable processes, and a financial partner who looks beyond the numbers.
From bookkeeping to business intelligence
A traditional accounting setup might keep the tax authorities satisfied, but it won’t help you make strategic decisions. That’s why we work with interim reports that go far beyond a basic profit-and-loss overview. We provide actionable insight into product margins, cash flow forecasts, inventory levels, and customer payment behaviour.
With current figures, clear dashboards and relevant KPIs, you can steer your business proactively. You’ll immediately see where bottlenecks arise, which customer segments are profitable, and where working capital is tied up in inventory. We translate figures into insight – and insight into action.
Robotic accounting for trade companies: automation that delivers
Trade companies often face a flood of administrative input: purchase invoices, transport costs, currency adjustments, customs documents. With our robotic accounting solutions, many of these processes are fully automated.
What does that mean in practice? Invoices are automatically recognized, booked, and linked to the correct order or shipment. Repetitive tasks disappear. Your financial administration becomes faster, more consistent, and less prone to error – freeing up time for analysis instead of manual checking.
Full-service compliance, seamless collaboration
We provide a comprehensive and well-documented administration, including financial statements, tax filings and audit-ready files. If an external accountant is involved, we coordinate our work seamlessly to ensure a smooth collaboration and timely audit preparation. This way, you meet all compliance requirements while staying fully in control.
On-site interim support and process improvement
Need temporary expertise? Whether it’s for process improvement, financial system design or internal controls, our Finance Business Consultants are ready to assist – and can work on-site in an interim role if needed.
Sometimes an external perspective is exactly what’s needed to unlock improvement potential. We help you streamline workflows, structure your data flows, and implement best practices in your systems.
Strategically located in the heart of trade companies
With offices in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, we’re physically located in the heart of trade activity – surrounded by ports, warehouses and distribution centres. We understand the pace of trade and speak the language of the people who drive it.
Whether you’re active in logistics, technical wholesale, FMCG or international export, we know the challenges you face. And we know how important it is to stay agile in a market that changes overnight.
Fiscal Clarity, Strategic Vision
As a tax advisor, I often see untapped opportunities. For instance: optimizing the legal structure of your company, or fiscally smart structuring of your inventory and receivables.
This includes choosing the right inventory valuation method (e.g. FIFO or LIFO), devaluing obsolete stock, or improving inventory planning. For outstanding receivables, this may involve timely write-offs, setting up provisions for doubtful debtors, or refining your credit terms and payment policies.
At AXP, we ensure your fiscal setup evolves with your business. Whether you’re a family-owned enterprise or part of an international group, we deliver certainty, clarity and full use of all available tax facilities.
Navigating a Dynamic Market
A trade company is like a ship on open water. The wind can shift direction at any moment – but the captain still needs to keep a firm grip on the compass. AXP ensures that you sail with confidence: equipped with real-time data, reliable processes and strong fiscal foundations.
Curious where your business might be leaving value on the table? Or how to turn your financial administration into a true decision-making instrument? I’d be happy to help – strategically, technically and practically.
Contact me for more information:
📧 klantenservice@axp.nl
📞 +31 (0)10 – 492 10 75
📞 +31 (0)20 – 280 70 50
