1951
26 May 1951, Kortrijk
The Accountancy Office A. Forman & Co. becomes De Kortrijkse Fiduciaire. A name that suited entrepreneurs at the time: clear, local and no-nonsense. An accountancy practice in Kortrijk.
We are by Watson. The quiet strength behind entrepreneurs for 75 years.
From De Kortrijkse Fiduciaire to by Watson
On 26 May 1951, a group of entrepreneurs from Kortrijk signed the founding deed of De Kortrijkse Fiduciaire. Seventy-five years later, on exactly the same date, a new generation signs again.
The same ink. A new pen.
Four offices, five partners, one new name: by Watson.
Below, three-quarters of a century of history in milestones.
History
1997
End of 1997, succession arranged
The Rathé family transfers the firm. Four senior staff take over: Dirk Bousson, Renaat De Rijcke, Geert Liétar and Johan Verstraeten. For the first time, a new generation leads the firm.
2006
2006, first step beyond Kortrijk
With the acquisition in Waregem, the firm establishes its first office outside Kortrijk. Benedict Verstaen and Koen Duprix join the partnership. The “K” of Kortrijk no longer fits the geographic reach, and the name is updated from De Kortrijkse Fiduciaire to DKF Fiduciaire.
2014
December 2014, more room
The Kortrijk head office relocates to a larger building. The team remains unchanged.
2015
1 January 2015, Tielt joins
A third office opens. Anthony Zutterman becomes a partner. Plans for a fourth office begin to take shape.
31 December 2015, Dirk Bousson steps down
Dirk Bousson, one of the four senior staff who took over at the end of 1997, steps down as partner. He is the first of the original four to leave.
2017
27 March 2017, WDP
With the acquisition of Willem Decraene & Partners, the firm expands its expertise and team.
2020
2020, the first retirement of the ’97 generation
After more than twenty years as a partner, Geert Liétar retires. Brecht Damman is appointed partner. The handover to the next generation begins.
2021
15 December 2021, new building in Tielt
The Tielt office relocates to a new building. The team remains unchanged.
2022
1 July 2022, leadership transferred
Johan Verstraeten transfers leadership to Valérie Dendauw and Simon Callens. A further step in the generational transition.
2023
1 April 2023, GVS and the move to East Flanders
With the acquisition of GVS Accountants & Belastingconsulenten in Ghent, the firm extends beyond West Flanders for the first time. The work of Gerard van Schaik is continued within the same group.
25 May 2023, new building in Waregem
The Waregem office relocates to a new building. Two new buildings in eighteen months bring three offices into their current form.
1 November 2023, Nazareth joins
DKF and VDB-VDC merge. Katinka De Clercq joins as a partner. Four locations, eight partners. Today’s geographic structure is in place.
2025
31 December 2025, end of a chapter
Renaat De Rijcke, Benedict Verstaen and Koen Duprix step down as partners. With Renaat, the last partner from the original four (who took over at the end of 1997) leaves the firm. The generational transition that began in 2020 with Geert Liétar’s retirement is now complete.
2026
26 May 2026, by Watson
Exactly seventy-five years after the first signature, the firm adopts a new name.
Three reasons, in ascending order of importance:
1. The “K” of Kortrijk no longer reflected four offices across two provinces.
2. The scope of the work had long been broader than bookkeeping alone.
3. A new generation wanted that scope to be visible externally as well.
A new name for a story that has been written for three-quarters of a century.
What we stand for. What we aim for.
Under by Watson, the mission and vision remain unchanged. They were never tied to a name. They have always been the core.
Our mission: what we stand for
We aim to be a reliable partner in the growth journey of our clients and our staff. Through genuine commitment and high-level expertise, we build lasting partnerships with integrity.
We listen to individual needs and, drawing on a multidisciplinary approach, share insights that are usable in practice.
Our vision: what we aim for
We believe in a personal and independent relationship of trust. We apply our expertise in accountancy and business advisory to support entrepreneurs who want to realise their growth potential.
Efficient compliance and integrated consultancy go hand in hand, attuned to technological change and current legal developments.
For our staff, that also means a sustainable and balanced growth journey within a workplace built on integrity. The resulting growth benefits everyone: the employee, by Watson and the client.
In closing
For years, the same line appeared at the foot of every DKF year-end review. It read like a promise then, and it still does today: Together we write history.
More than figures. A firm that thinks with you.
We are an independent firm with offices in Kortrijk, Waregem, Tielt and Nazareth. Five partners, four offices, one way of working: close enough to know your situation, large enough to have the right expertise in-house.
About us
We are not the figure in the spotlight. We are your trusted right hand: thinking with you, looking ahead and being there when it matters.
Our team
Valérie Dendauw
Partner, Consultant
Brecht Damman
Partner, Certified Tax Accountant, Kortrijk office
Katinka De Clercq
Partner, Certified Tax Accountant, Nazareth office
Simon Callens
Partner, Consultant
Anthony Zutterman
Partner, Certified Tax Accountant, Tielt office
Join a team that likes to think clearly.
At by Watson you get colleagues who freely share their knowledge, a manager who listens rather than directs, and the freedom to do your work your way. We look for people who love their craft, think with clients and keep each other sharp.
MGI Association
by Watson is a member of MGI Association, an international network of independent accountancy and advisory firms. For clients with international activities, that gives us access to local expertise in more than 80 countries.
