Independent Research — March 2026

Reputation Barometer
Flemish Accounting Sector

14 leading Flemish and mid-market firms assessed across 7 reputation dimensions.
How visible is your firm in the war for talent?

14 firms analysed
7 reputation dimensions
20+ public sources
By Jubel × Willow
Why this matters

Your employer brand determines who
wants to work with you.

The accounting sector faces an acute talent shortage. Accountant is officially a critical profession in Flanders. Firms that invest in their visibility as an employer today are building a structural advantage.

80%
Talent shortage
Of employers in the financial sector face serious talent shortages — the highest of all sectors.
ManpowerGroup Belgium, 2025
50%
Lower cost per hire
Companies with a strong employer brand see a 50% reduction in cost per hire and attract 50% more qualified candidates.
SHRM & Vouch, 2026
VDAB
Critical profession
Accountant is officially on the VDAB list of critical professions in Flanders.
VDAB Critical Professions List, 2025
Results

How visible is your firm?

Each firm is assessed across 7 dimensions and assigned a maturity level — from Starter to Frontrunner. Click on a firm to see its detailed profile and growth opportunities.

Select a firm to see its
reputation profile and growth plan
Maturity level:
Strong
Solid
Growing
Emerging
FirmComm.M.P.DigitalEmpl. Br.Thought L.Innov.MarketOverall

BDO leads the Flemish mid-market

BDO Belgium achieves Frontrunner status by combining international infrastructure with strong local investment in employer branding and digital visibility. Proof that you don't need Big Four scale to lead on reputation.

Flemish independents compete head-to-head

Vandelanotte matches BDO as a Frontrunner — driven by an active acquisition strategy, 10,000+ LinkedIn followers, and visible leadership. Titeca Pro's top Glassdoor rating (4.2/5) proves local firms can win on employer brand.

Managing partner visibility: the biggest gap

At multiple firms, the managing partner couldn't even be publicly identified. LinkedIn profiles are passive, thought leadership is scarce. Senior talent chooses firms with visible leaders — not invisible organisations.

Employer branding: the quick win

Only a handful of firms actively invest in employer branding beyond a basic career page. In a market with 80% talent shortage and accountancy as an official critical profession, the firm with the strongest employer brand wins.

The playing field is closer than you think

Without Big Four dominance, the gap between leading firms and the middle of the pack is remarkably small. Targeted investment in 1-2 dimensions can move a firm from Builder to Frontrunner within a year.

Thought leadership attracts senior talent

64% of candidates do online research before engaging with a firm. Firms that publish insights, whitepapers, and expert commentary create a gravitational pull that job postings alone cannot match.

Methodology

Independent research. 7 dimensions.

Every assessment is based on concrete, traceable data points — from LinkedIn analytics to Glassdoor ratings, from career pages to media coverage in Belgian media. No firm was consulted or informed.

Selection criteria — why these 14 firms?
Every firm meets three criteria: (1) significant presence in Flanders via offices in major Flemish cities, (2) active as a full-fledged accounting firm with audit and advisory practice, and (3) focus on the Flemish mid-market — meaning firms that directly compete for the same talent pool and client base. BDO is included as an international benchmark. This yielded 14 firms: 8 international mid-market firms and 6 Flemish independent firms.
01
Corporate Communication
Website quality, media coverage, awards & certifications, CSR communication
02
Managing Partner Reputation
LinkedIn presence, media appearances, speaking engagements, thought leadership
03
Digital Presence
LinkedIn company page, social media activity, content quality & engagement
04
Employer Branding
Career page, Glassdoor/Indeed ratings, GPTW certification, employee testimonials
05
Thought Leadership
Blog/insights, published reports, podcasts/webinars, expert media contributions
06
Innovation & Technology
Digital transformation communication, tech partnerships, proprietary tools
07
Market Position
Revenue & employees, office network, service breadth, growth trajectory
Maturity levels
Frontrunner Sector leader — strong across most dimensions
Builder Solid foundation — targeted investment can elevate further
Grower Growth potential — quick wins available in key areas
Starter Early stage — significant untapped opportunity
Personalised report

Request your firm's
detailed reputation report

Receive a personalised deep-dive into your firm's reputation profile — with detailed analysis per dimension, competitor benchmarks, and a concrete improvement plan.

  • Detailed scoring per dimension with evidence
  • Benchmark against direct competitors
  • Prioritised action plan with quick wins
  • Managing partner brand assessment
  • Digital presence audit with recommendations

Jubel brings sector expertise and network. Willow brings communication strategy and execution. Together, we make your firm visible to the talent that matters.

Thank you!

We'll send your personalised reputation report within 5 business days.

Sources & references

Talent Shortage & Labour Market

  • ManpowerGroup Belgium, Talent Shortage Survey (Jan. 2025)
  • VDAB Critical Professions List (2025)
  • VRT NWS (Jan. 2025) — 251 critical professions

Employer Branding & Recruitment

  • SHRM & Vouch, Employer Brand Statistics (2026)
  • Weber Shandwick, CEO Reputation Premium (2020)
  • Randstad Employer Brand Research Belgium (2025)

Digital Presence

  • Belgian LinkedIn Monitor (Dec. 2024) — 5.89M users
  • GaggleAMP, Social Media Recruitment Survey (2024)
  • DsmN8, Employee Advocacy Benchmark Report (2025)

Firm-Specific Sources

  • LinkedIn company pages & managing partner profiles (Mar. 2026)
  • Glassdoor & Indeed company reviews and ratings (Mar. 2026)
  • Websites, career pages and annual reports of all 14 firms
  • Great Place to Work Belgium certifications (2023-2024)
  • Belgian media: De Tijd, Trends, L'Echo, Kanaal Z, FDmagazine