The Plan Comptable Belge is a masterpiece of 1980s fiscal engineering—predictable, safe, and rigid. It protects the tax authority better than it protects the business owner. If you want to stay out of jail in Belgium, follow it strictly. If you want to understand your business's true economic performance, you will need a parallel management accounting system. The PCB is not a tool for strategy; it is a tool for survival.

The Belgian accounting plan was first introduced in 1975, and has undergone several revisions since then. The current version of the plan is based on the European Union's (EU) Accounting Directives, which aim to harmonize accounting standards across the EU.