Maximilien Saint Dizier is the general director of Clementine.fr. The accounting company is based in Nancy and is growing. The entrepreneur explains his projects for La Semaine.
Clementine.fr was founded in 2012 by William and Jean-Louis Boiché and you joined the adventure shortly after. The idea was to digitalize the accounting activity. How does this translate?
Maximilien Saint Dizier: “We started from the observation that entrepreneurs who embark on the creation of a VSE (very small business) are often poorly supported at start-up. However, in France, VSEs represent the majority of the country's economic fabric. At launch, using an accountant is expensive and the pricing is not always clear, with prices fluctuating between 100 and 130 euros per hour. Traditionally, these are liberal professions who bill based on the time they spend on a file. But it is difficult to know in advance how long it will take, which can generate anxiety-provoking situations. Some entrepreneurs find themselves with large bills before they can even begin their business. »
Is that how you came up with the idea of flat-rate accounting services?
“In order to offer an accounting service that is less burdensome on the company's cash flow when it starts up, we propose to smooth it out over all the months of the year. Our clients can benefit from unlimited advice time and all the services of an accounting firm: tax declaration, profit tax, VAT, management of pay slips, etc. We also manage questions relating to legal aspects that affect the company… Interviews are carried out by video or by telephone, which makes us a digital accounting firm. In exchange, our customers pay a monthly subscription, whether they use us or not. We start from the principle that managers do not need their accountant all the time, but only at very specific times, such as at the start of the activity. »
“We have not uberized the profession. All our accountants are employees of the company Clementine.fr, i.e. 120 people. »
Maximilien Saint Dizier, director of Clementine.fr.
How are package prices set?
“We set prices based on the turnover achieved by the customer and our formulas are scalable. There is less work with self-employed people or individual businesses than with companies that have employees. Hence this method of operation. »
Who are the professionals you call on to carry out your services?
“We have not uberized the profession. All our accountants are employees of the company Clementine.fr, i.e. 120 people. In total, we have 230 employees, including 180 collaborators at the Nancy headquarters to which we are very attached as a player anchored in our territory. »
Economically, what does Clementine.fr weigh?
“We have 10,000 clients: from managers of small businesses to business leaders of structures with around fifty employees. In addition to the headquarters, we rely on several agencies of around ten employees each in Épinal, Marseille, Nice and Paris where there are 20 people. »
What is the point of multiplying agencies when your services are dematerialized?
“In the next three years, we aim to recruit 50 people per year. The advantage of having agencies spread across France is to find our talents more easily. To achieve growth, you need people who have a vision, a desire. Also, the skills are not the same depending on the territories. In Paris, there are a lot of people specialized in communication and marketing, while in Marseille, we find more lawyers. In Nice or Épinal, they are the accountants…”
“We have 10,000 clients: from managers of small businesses to business leaders of structures with around fifty employees. »
Maximilien Saint Dizier, director of Clementine.fr.
In the months to come, Clementine.fr could reach a new milestone…
“Since this summer, we have partnered with an Italian group specializing in the design of accounting software. I can't say more at the moment. The management of Clementine.fr has changed. The Boiché family, founder of the entity, remained in support for a time, while I held the position of director of the entity.
Thanks to this alliance, we are preparing to strengthen ourselves and offer more efficient and comprehensive solutions. [perspectives chiffrées non communiquées]. The Italian group knows how to make accounting software, while we bring our know-how to online accounting services.
The objective is not to open new agencies, but to take advantage of the international ramifications of our new partner to internationalize ourselves. This could involve translating our software into several languages.
You are given the status of a zebra. What does that mean in practice?
“In 2012, we were a start-up. Today we have moved to a higher status, a scale-up, to the extent that we have a proven economic model and that we continue to grow. We are also considered a “zebra” in the start-up ecosystem. This means that we achieved profitability without ever having to raise funds. This is not the normal spectrum. We have never burned cash and Clementinre.fr has generated activity since its creation. Even today, the Italian group we are backed by does not finance us. We self-finance our projects thanks to good management. We market a service that works and continues to grow. We are improving as we go. »
Do you think online accounting could become the norm in the coming years?
“I don’t think so because online accounting remains marginal, but it could evolve quickly. »
Particularly with the gradual implementation of electronic invoicing?
“French companies are particularly poorly equipped with cloud tools. They have IT, but not cutting-edge: no cloud telephony, electronic signature, electronic invoicing, etc. Our job is to help companies succeed in this transformation in terms of operation. If companies do not take the digital shift, they will stagnate and then die. As an accountant, our job is not limited to sending the balance sheet to the tax authorities. We advise the client so that he equips himself with qualitative tools to face the future. »
“Artificial intelligence is starting to arrive in our professions. »
Maximilien Saint Dizier, director of Clementine.fr.
Electronic invoicing will be a revolution for businesses…
“From 2027, companies will be required to use a regulated electronic invoicing tool to be able to be paid by their customers. It must be carried out through partner platforms of the State, it is not a simple invoice sent by PDF. You will need to be a member of a tool in direct connection with the tax administration. A company wishing to update itself on the regulations in advance can go through us as we will be able to offer this service soon. »
What role will artificial intelligence play in the accounting profession?
“AI is starting to arrive in our businesses, internally: in the analysis of accounts, or the processing of computer data. We should not fear this, but see it as an opportunity. The employees we recruit all ask for value-added positions, with fewer and fewer boring tasks, without added value. AI responds to this. On the other hand, I believe that customers are not ready for conversational AI. At Clementine.fr, we would already be able to respond automatically, with control by humans, but we do not do this. Our customers expect service and do not want a robot to talk to them. Currently, if you ask Chat GPT a question about your company's accounting, then you will get an answer that will be generally fair, but which will not take into account your personal issues: your market, your quality record, your future desire… On the other hand, it is possible that one day AI will impose itself in our professions and that we will have nothing more than that. »
Given the difficult economic context, are companies really making the digitalization of their services a priority?
“In difficult times, it is better to go digital in order to use more efficient tools which save precious time and allow you to concentrate on the core of the activity and development. Cutting back on these investments is the best way to have problems. »
What are the other new features implemented by Clementine.fr?
“We have recently started offering a bill collection service. If our customers have difficulty getting paid, we take care of the collection for them. We have no time commitment, but we don't charge anything if we don't collect anything. It is an economic model that works 100% on performance. »
As an innovative company, do you pursue a strong CSR (corporate social responsibility) policy?
“We are obliged to move towards quality of life at work approaches to succeed in recruiting. All our employees have two days of teleworking per week. You need flexibility and freedom. Joining Clementine.fr can be an excellent springboard into a professional career. I think we should see our business as a game. The idea is to participate in something that you don't see elsewhere. Working in a company in difficulty can be stressful for employees. Conversely, evolving in a growing structure contributes to fulfillment. »
