Let’s start at the beginning: you will need a great accountant. An accountant is your financial guide, who will assist you with expert advice. If you are unsure between a sole proprietorship and a company, your accountant will help you make the right choice. Decided to set up a company? Nice move! Your accountant will arrange everything for you: from deeds of incorporation to articles of association and even the appointments with the civil-law notary. And that’s just the start!
Even during your challenging entrepreneurial adventure, your accountant will remain one of your most important partners. He/she will not just help you with your financial planning, but also ensure that all agreements are ready on time and that your annual obligations under company law are met. So, choose your financial coach wisely because outstanding accountants are worth their weight in gold.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"General terms and conditions: your enterprise’s legal airbag."},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Once your business is up and running, you will want to be prepared for the challenges that come your way, such as a ‘difficult’ customer who pays late or unexpected delivery problems. This is where your general terms and conditions come into play. That fine print on your invoice or quotation? This really does make a difference and will save you a lot of legal hassle by setting out in writing important matters, such as payment terms and liability.
General terms and conditions are thus your legal safety net for situations where you have not made specific arrangements. Think of them as your business’s airbag: you hope you never need them but, if things go wrong, they will protect you from the blow and prevent major headaches.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"General vs. special terms and conditions: what’s the difference?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Special terms and conditions include the arrangements you make specifically with a customer or supplier. Think of contracts, quotations or order forms in which you record concrete arrangements in black and white. Say you will deliver 3,000 textile prints for a customer and you agree that they will be ready within two weeks. Well, you record that delivery time in the special terms and conditions.
General terms and conditions are your standard rules that apply to all your customers and suppliers. They cover the situations you have not stipulated in the special terms and conditions. For example, if you have no arrangements in place for what to do in case of a late payment, your general terms and conditions will still protect you from sudden problems. This way, you will always have a solid base for your collaboration, even if not every detail has been discussed.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"How do you draft general terms and conditions?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"
A common mistake? Simply copying the terms and conditions of a competitor. Never do this! What works for them may not suit your business. What’s more, legislation changes regularly, so you will want to make sure your terms and conditions are up-to-date as well as legal.
So, how do you approach this? Call in an expert. For most businesses, an accountant working with a legal platform, such as Instaclause, can provide you with excellent assistance in this regard. Instaclause offers customised legal documents and general terms and conditions that suit your enterprise perfectly. This is not only faster than engaging a lawyer, but often cheaper too, and you still benefit from tailored advice.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Invest in your future"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"So, a good start begins with the drafting of strong, carefully considered general terms and conditions. You will protect yourself and your business from unnecessary risks. More than that, you will also build a solid legal basis for your enterprise. So, take your time to get everything on point and watertight. And don’t hesitate to ask an accountant or specialist to assist you with this.
"}},{"componentType":"highlight","richBody":{"value":"Do you have any other questions or are you looking for additional information?
Dive into ING’s start-up facts and discover the step-by-step plan.
"}}]},"hasMacro":false,"id":"85230e2f-eed2-4f29-bbd0-19dbc310d7a5","legalZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"This article is for information purposes only and the information can change over time. Always consult the latest rules and requirements with the competent authorities. Additionally, seek professional advice before making any decisions. ING Belgium NV cannot be held liable for decisions based on the information provided.
*ING Belgium reworked an article by Instaclause for commercial purposes.
"},"title":"Disclaimer"}]},"localeString":"en-GB","mainHeaderZone":{"backLink":{"textLink":{"text":"Starting your business","url":"/en/business/starters"}},"componentType":"editorialHeader","coreHeader":{"body":"Are you eager to start your own business? That’s fantastic news! Whether you choose to pursue a career as a sole proprietorship or to set up a company, you will need a solid legal basis to be successful in business. Remember the importance of clear invoicing terms: indispensable if you want to protect your enterprise from unexpected situations. \r\nHence we have put together this article, in collaboration with our partner Instaclause*. In it you will find key information and tips on the importance of efficient terms and conditions.","title":"Effective invoicing terms? That’s how you protect your business!"},"date":"2024-10-01","readingTime":0},"publishDate":"2025-04-04T11:58:56.052+02:00"}}