
How KUDO is Empowering Freelancers and Transforming Business in the Western Balkans

Behind every successful business, there’s a hidden force that keeps everything running smoothly—accounting. Often seen as just a back-office function, accounting, and bookkeeping are the backbone of any thriving enterprise. Far from simply crunching numbers, accountants are the storytellers of your financial journey, helping you understand where your money is going, how it’s growing, and what you can do to reach new heights.
As Melita Ymeraga, CEO at Melita & Partners, puts it, “Accounting is the heart of any enterprise.” Thanks to RECONOMY’s support, her company is at the forefront of revolutionizing the accounting industry in Kosovo and the Western Balkan region. Melita & Partners is the leading provider of business financial solutions in Kosovo, with expanding operations in Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, and the UK.

From classroom to global market
In 2022, Melita & Partners launched the KUDO platform, an initiative designed to empower individuals to become freelance accountants. KUDO is an educational platform focused on equipping students with the soft and hard skills needed to excel in the gig economy. Its flagship training program, “Become a Freelance Digital Accountant,” is already making a significant impact.
“I’m a self-learner, and I wanted the new generation to have access to more practical learning and less theory. We started KUDO to prepare individuals in Kosovo to work remotely as freelancers for companies around the world, based on their aspirations and goals,” says Ymeraga.
KUDO helps participants develop job-ready skills for success as freelance accountants, with a focus on mastering QuickBooks under the guidance of experts. Graduates learn to leverage technology to work globally while strengthening their soft skills. The online training covers a range of topics, from setting up QuickBooks Online to managing accounts payable to budgeting.
“Our training is relevant to every industry out there,” Ymeraga explains.
“We’ve had graduates from banks, construction firms, and even those working on online platforms like Upwork. You don’t have to be a financial director to enroll. The program is designed for individuals who want to work remotely from Kosovo for international companies. Of course, some participants do work locally, but our primary goal is to connect them with global opportunities. Rest assured that very often we work hand in hand with our graduates from the very first actions: opening profiles on different platforms, tailoring CVs, we even go to lengths of mentoring our graduates on a monthly basis and supporting them during the first six months of their accounting and bookkeeping jobs,” she says.

The main purpose of KUDO Accounting is for the Western Balkans to become a destination for BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) services, especially for bookkeeping. With plans to expand into Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Melita & Partners via KUDO Accounting is rapidly extending its reach across the Western Balkans. To date, approximately 350 graduates have benefited from KUDO, gaining the skills and confidence to thrive in a global, digital workspace.
KUDO’s inclusive approach has enabled individuals from diverse backgrounds, including women, people with disabilities, and minorities, to gain the skills and confidence needed to thrive in remote work.
“Women enroll in bigger numbers. We do have participants coming from the Roma community. We are working on reaching out to people with disabilities by collaborating with HANDIKOS while we are firm that, in the near future, we will have more of them joining us. Our core intention from the beginning was to include all of these groups as active members of the training,” Ymeraga tells us.
Beyond providing vital training and skills, KUDO Accounting has also made a tangible difference for its graduates. Whether working as freelancers or business owners, those who have completed the program are already reaping the rewards of enhanced financial management and global opportunities. One such success story is Agnesa Kuqi, CEO of Digipow, who found that KUDO transformed her approach to financial reporting and profitability analysis.
“KUDO Accounting is a Godsend for me. If you are an agency owner and really want to have clear reports on what is your most profitable job, what is your profit margin for each service, reports on profit and loss for each client and each project, and if you want to have clear metrics on your agency, start working with KUDO now,” Agnesa Kuqi, CEO at Digipow, says.
Agnesa Kuqi isn’t the only one who has seen the transformative power of KUDO Accounting. Many other business owners have come to rely on the platform to streamline their operations and make informed decisions. Korab Qerkini, CEO of Scoop and Spoon, shares a similar experience: “I trust KUDO Accounting to take care of my accounting on a monthly basis and provide me with reports and advice. I have a clear picture of which clients I should work with and which clients not to work with, all because of KUDO’s service.” For Korab, KUDO’s support has been instrumental in identifying both strengths and areas for improvement within his agency.
Transforming into a regional leader in digital accounting solutions
Building on Melita & Partners’ dedication to developing the next generation of freelance accountants, the support from RECONOMY played a crucial role in enhancing both the company’s business model and the broader local business ecosystem. By applying a systems-thinking approach, Melita & Partners was able to strategically evolve from a local accounting service provider to a regional player, offering innovative digital accounting solutions that are in high demand. This shift not only empowered their graduates but also positioned the company as a leader in business financial solutions across the Western Balkans.
According to Ymeraga, it is only thanks to RECONOMY, which is implemented by Helvetas and funded by Sweden, that they can expand into Serbia and other countries of the Western Balkans.

“The support from RECONOMY allowed us to see our business through a broader lens, helping us not just to deliver a course, but to rethink how we operate as a business. We’ve integrated a systems perspective that focuses on sustainability and scalability. This shift was evident in the introduction of the shorter, more accessible digital accounting course, which has expanded the range of learners able to benefit from the program. RECONOMY believed in us since day one, and helped us in reaching out to audiences and markets that we thought we were not able to penetrate.”
The partnership introduced a systems-thinking approach, encouraging the company to look beyond immediate business needs and consider how they could have a broader, sustainable impact on the local and regional ecosystem. Melita & Partners started seeing the potential of leveraging digital technologies and freelance work models to scale their business and offer flexible, inclusive, future-ready solutions in digital accounting.
Inspiring businesses to embrace digital accounting solutions
This forward-thinking approach has inspired other organizations to follow suit. One such example is the collaboration between Melita & Partners and the Community Development Fund (CDF) in Kosovo, where digital accounting solutions are transforming financial management. Sara Habipaj-Polloshka, Finance and Grants Manager at CDF, highlights the strategic partnership as a key driver for improving accounting practices through QuickBooks in various development projects.
“One of the main contributions of Melita & Partners is the preparation and organization of financial reports. These reports ensure that the CDF has a clear picture of the state of its finances, including income, expenditure, and the management of funds for various projects. The reports are compatible with international accounting standards, guaranteeing clarity and accuracy in the presentation of financial data,” Habipaj-Polloshka recalls.
Melita & Partners regularly conducts audits to assess CDF’s compliance with financial standards and regulations. Another benefit of this cooperation is the compatibility of CDF’s financial actions with international standards such as the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This is essential to ensure that the organization can clearly and thoroughly communicate its finances to donors and international partners.
While the collaboration continues to thrive, Sara Habipaj–Polloshka herself seems to have benefited from the whole symbiosis.
“In collaboration with Melita & Partners, I have learned more advanced techniques for keeping account books, including systematization and accurate categorization of income and expenses. This helps to create a clearer picture of the finances and better manage the organization’s cash flow,” she emphasizes.
Is CDF continuously implementing the lessons learned from this collaboration?
“Yes, we are implementing the lessons learned from Melita & Partners with our donors and partners. These lessons have influenced the way we manage financial reporting and transparency. This has helped strengthen our relationships with donors, increasing trust and ensuring that funds are used efficiently and responsibly,” Sara Habipaj-Polloshka tells us.
Melita & Partners’ efforts via KUDO Accounting are helping reshape the way businesses in the region approach accounting and financial management. By offering accessible, high-quality training, they have not only provided individuals with valuable, in-demand skills but have also contributed to a more robust and innovative business ecosystem. Companies are now better equipped to handle complex financial challenges thanks to a growing pool of digital-savvy accountants who can work remotely, benefiting both local and international businesses.
From regional to global future
In February this year, a second edition of the Digital Accounting Conference came into full force, raising awareness about digital transformation in accounting and financial management, and fostering collaboration among businesses, public authorities, universities, accounting professionals, and fintech companies.
“KUDO stands for a change in the mindset. Working as a freelancer means shifting the mindset regarding how work is approached. We are traditional people, and accountants are typically seen as individuals who work with strict deadlines. However, the shift in mindset that this profession is vital for businesses—not just for taxes—is quite remarkable and modern. It’s cool and fancy because of the integration of technology. Technology is a crucial element in this profession. There are many young people working as freelancers. There are now many foreign companies actively seeking young talent because Kosovo is seen as a destination for software development. For bookkeeping, demand has increased tenfold,” Ymeraga concludes.
The collaboration between RECONOMY and Melita & Partners serves as a powerful example of how investing in education and applying a systems lens can lead to transformative changes in business models and industries. As Melita & Partners continues to expand regionally and inspire others in the market, their approach sets a new standard for sustainability and innovation in the Western Balkans. KUDO Accounting, unstoppable at a very modest tuition, seems to be bridging the gap between education and the job market, enabling the youth in the region to compete globally while advancing local business innovation.
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