The verdict in three sentences
The vendor licence (Cegid, ACD, Sage) remains the non-negotiable backbone for bookkeeping production, tax returns and EDI-TDFC filing. But it leaves wide gaps in production steering, chasing client documents and per-file profitability tracking. A custom module bolted onto your existing stack, between 15,000 and 50,000 EUR, closes those gaps and pays for itself within 12 to 18 months through recovered hours.
Vendor licence or custom module: the real scope
The debate is not "replace the vendor" but "complement the vendor." Your production software handles the ledger export (FEC), review and tax bundle; it almost never handles document collection, per-client deadline tracking or a firm-wide profitability dashboard properly.
| Function | Vendor licence (ACD, Cegid) | Custom module |
|---|---|---|
| Production, review, tax return | Yes, core | No (we connect to it) |
| EDI-TDFC / FEC filing | Yes, built in | FEC feed re-use |
| Automated document collection | Partial / paid add-on | Dedicated client portal |
| Per-file profitability tracking | Weak | Real-time dashboard |
| Smart client reminders | Manual | Automated by deadline |
| 2026 cost | 30-80 EUR/staff/month | 15,000-50,000 EUR one-off |
Budget and timeline: what you actually sign
For a firm of 8 to 15 staff, the 2026 order of magnitude is stable and predictable. The licence is a recurring cost; the custom build is an amortised investment.
| Item | 2026 range | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Production licence (12 staff) | 4,320-11,520 EUR/yr | 30-80 EUR × 12 × 12 months |
| Custom document-portal module | 15,000-25,000 EUR | 8-12 weeks |
| Profitability-steering module | 20,000-40,000 EUR | 10-14 weeks |
| FEC / vendor API integration | 3,000-8,000 EUR | Depends on API openness |
| Annual custom maintenance | 15-20% of build | Estimate |
Mini case study
Claire runs a 12-person firm in Nantes. Each employee loses on average 5 hours a month chasing documents and re-keying data between tools. At a loaded cost of 45 EUR/hour, that is 12 × 5 × 45 = 2,700 EUR/month of unproductive time, or 32,400 EUR/year. A custom collection module at 22,000 EUR that recovers 60% of that time saves roughly 19,400 EUR/year: payback in 14 months, then net gain every year after.
FAQ
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Should we drop Cegid or ACD for a custom build?
No, that would be a costly mistake. The custom build connects to the vendor via the FEC export or its API; you keep certified production and tax filing and only add the missing pieces.
How long to deploy a complementary module?
Expect 8 to 14 weeks depending on scope, including FEC feed integration and a testing phase with two or three pilot staff.
Is the document-collection portal secure for tax data?
Yes: encryption in transit and at rest, strong authentication, EU hosting with GDPR compliance. It is a non-negotiable prerequisite we scope from the quote stage.
What time saving per employee is realistic?
The 2026 order of magnitude observed is 3 to 8 hours per employee per month, mostly on collection, reminders and avoided re-keying between tools.
Can we start small then extend?
Yes, and it is recommended: we first ship the document portal, measure the gain, then add profitability steering in a second batch.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your current vendor, your headcount and the priority module (collection, reminders or profitability): indicative budget 15,000-50,000 EUR by scope. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
