What is Accountable Banking?
Accountable Banking is a fully integrated business account for self-employed people, built directly into Accountable. It makes it easy to manage your finances, make payments, receive transfers, and automatically match your income to your invoices and bookkeeping.
Accountable Banking offers all the services you would expect from a traditional bank, subject to the same strict regulations and standards, so you get a safe and reliable banking experience.
What makes it unique: everything happens on one platform, your account, your invoices, your bookkeeping. No switching between apps, no paperwork. Simple banking, exactly the way you need it as a self-employed person.
This article covers who can open an account, how the process works, which documents you may need, and what you can do with your Accountable Banking business account.
Who can open a business account?
Accountable Banking is designed specifically for self-employed people.
You can open a business account if you:
Are self-employed
Have an active business number for your self-employed activity (KBO/CBE)
Can show an active professional or freelance activity
Looking to open an account for a company or legal entity? Have a look at Everything you need to know about Accountable Banking for legal entities.
How do you open an account?
1. Verify your identity
Before you can get started, you need to officially verify your identity through video identification.
Keep your valid ID card handy
Verification happens through your smartphone or browser
It only takes a few minutes
💡 Tip: Make sure you have good lighting and a stable internet connection so everything runs smoothly.
2. Automatic verification (and documents if needed)
After the identity check, your account is usually verified automatically within 1 to 3 business days.
In some cases, our banking partner Swan may ask for additional documents.
👉 If that happens, you will receive a clear email with instructions on which documents to upload.
3. Start using your business account 🚀
Once everything is verified, your business account is officially active and ready to use.
Which documents are needed?
In most cases, no additional documents are needed after identity verification. If needed, Swan may ask for:
Valid proof of identity
Proof of address (e.g. a utility bill)
More information about your activity
Proof of income
How long does activation take?
Your account is usually verified within 1 to 3 business days after the identity check and any requested documents.
In some cases it can take a bit longer, for example when:
Documents are missing or incomplete
There are questions about your activity or identity
The identity verification needs to be redone
💡 Tip: Double-check that all information is correct and clearly legible, this speeds up the process considerably.
If you have not heard back after 5 business days, get in touch with our support team.
Who provides the account?
The Accountable Banking business account is made available in partnership with our licensed banking partner Swan.
Swan is a payment institution licensed by the French banking supervisory authority (ACPR) to provide payment services.
The banking services are directly integrated into your Accountable account and provided by Swan. They are subject to Swan's terms and conditions, available on Swan's terms of use page.
💡 Important: Your account is a genuine individual business account with its own Belgian IBAN, in your name, and secured in line with European banking guidelines.
What can you do with the Accountable Banking business account?
Your own Belgian IBAN (BE-IBAN)
Ideal for invoices, transfers to and from clients, and tax payments.
Virtual & physical Mastercard
Secure payments online or in stores
Works with Apple Pay & Google Pay
Free SEPA transfers
Instant or standard
Cash withdrawals
At any ATM with the Mastercard logo in the SEPA zone.
Spaces (sub-accounts) (exclusive to the MAX plan)
Up to 10 virtual sub-accounts with their own IBAN, ideal for reserves or specific projects.
Automatic tax reserves
Automatically set tax money aside in a separate account.
Seamless integration with bookkeeping and tax
Every payment can be directly categorised and linked to invoices.
Support
Fast and reliable help from our Accountable Banking team.
Questions?
Stuck somewhere, or something not clear? Our support team is happy to help.
Ready to go? Your Accountable Banking account is waiting for you. ✨
Key takeaways
Accountable Banking is a fully integrated business account for self-employed people, built directly into Accountable.
You need an active KBO/CBE business number and a verified identity to open an account.
Verification is usually completed within 1 to 3 business days. Swan may request additional documents in some cases.
Your account comes with a Belgian IBAN, a virtual and physical Mastercard, free SEPA transfers, and seamless bookkeeping integration.
Banking services are provided by Swan, a payment institution licensed by the ACPR.
Need help? Chat with us or email support@accountable.eu, we're happy to help.