GermanAccounting&Tax—Pricing.

What accounting software do you use?

We primarily work with DATEV (the leading German accounting system) and can also integrate with Xero, QuickBooks, or Lexware. All client reports are provided in English.

Is the Jahresabschluss (annual accounts) included?

Yes, for Growth and Scale tiers. For Starter, the annual accounts are an optional add-on (€490 for a standard GmbH). Bundesanzeiger publication is included.

Can you take over from our current Steuerberater?

Yes. We handle the complete takeover — requesting files, migrating data, and notifying the Finanzamt of the change of tax representative.

Do you provide payroll services?

Yes. Payroll (Lohnbuchhaltung) is included in Growth (up to 3 employees) and Scale (unlimited). For Starter, payroll is available as an add-on at €90/employee/month.

Do you file on our behalf with the Finanzamt?

Yes. As your licensed Steuerberater, we have a tax representative mandate (Vollmacht) and file all returns directly via ELSTER on your behalf.

What does Jahresabschluss preparation include and how long does it take?

The Jahresabschluss under HGB includes: Bilanz (balance sheet), Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung (P&L), and Anhang (notes). For medium and large GmbHs: also a Lagebericht (management report). Preparation takes 4–8 weeks after year-end documents are complete. The final accounts are filed with the Bundesanzeiger (public disclosure) and submitted to the Finanzamt as the basis for the Körperschaftsteuer assessment.

Are there setup fees when starting an accounting engagement?

A one-time onboarding fee (typically €300–€500) applies to new clients, covering: Steuerberatervollmacht registration with ELSTER, Finanzamt notification of change of tax representative, initial chart of accounts setup in DATEV, and historical data import if taking over from a prior Steuerberater. This fee is disclosed upfront and invoiced separately from the first monthly package.

What is the Steuerberatervollmacht and why is it required?

The Steuerberatervollmacht (tax representative mandate) is a signed authorisation allowing us to act on your behalf with all German tax authorities — filing returns, receiving official correspondence, and communicating directly with the Finanzamt. Without it, you must personally sign every filing. The mandate is registered in ELSTER and grants automatic filing deadline extensions of approximately 7–8 months beyond the standard 31 July deadline — a significant practical benefit.

Do you provide management accounts in English?

Yes. All packages include monthly management accounts (P&L and balance sheet) provided in English. HGB-compliant German statutory accounts are prepared separately for the Bundesanzeiger and Finanzamt. For non-EUR groups, currency conversion reporting is available in the Scale tier. All client-facing communication, reports, and advisory is in English.

What is the cost of a statutory audit for a GmbH and when is it required?

A statutory audit (Pflichtprüfung) is mandatory for medium and large GmbHs (HGB §316). For a medium GmbH, Wirtschaftsprüfer fees are typically €10,000–€30,000/year; large GmbH: €30,000+. Small GmbHs are audit-exempt but may choose a voluntary audit for bank or investor purposes (€3,000–€8,000). Statutory audit fees are not included in our accounting packages — they are quoted separately and invoiced by the appointed Wirtschaftsprüfer. We coordinate the audit and provide all required documentation.