.svg)
Accounting with a tax advisor: differences, advantages and disadvantages
If you run a company or are just starting up, you've probably asked yourself in the past whether you would like to take care of your bookkeeping yourself or whether you would like to outsource the whole thing to a tax advisor. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
In the following sections, you will learn, among other things, how you can prepare your accounting for your tax advisor, what are the reasons for seeking support and what costs you should expect.
Book a free consultation now
In the following sections, you will learn, among other things, how you can prepare your accounting for your tax advisor, what are the reasons for seeking support and what costs you should expect.
All tax advisory services are provided by Integral Steuerberatungsgesellschaft mbH, Zionskirchstraße 75, 10119 Berlin.
Key takeaways
Accounting has advantages:
A tax advisor relieves you — so you can fully concentrate on your core business.
A tax advisor relieves you — so you can fully concentrate on your core business.
Claim costs for tax purposes:
You can deduct expenses for the tax advisor and thus reduce your tax burden.
You can deduct expenses for the tax advisor and thus reduce your tax burden.
Accounting is not the same as tax advice: Accounting provides the basis — tax and business advice is provided on the basis of these figures.
Less stress in everyday life: A tax advisor takes care of deadlines, communicates with the tax office and ensures more security in your bookkeeping.
Prepare accounting well:
The better the documents are sorted, the less effort and costs arise — for you and the tax advisor.
The better the documents are sorted, the less effort and costs arise — for you and the tax advisor.
Companies like yours rely on Integral:
4.2/5
Trustpilot
Advantages and disadvantages of bookkeeping with a tax advisor
Working with a tax advisor has both advantages and disadvantages. The following table shows you what you should consider and weigh up against each other when considering doing the bookkeeping yourself — without a tax advisor.
Benefits
Disadvantages
· When you work with a tax advisor, you save time and can concentrate on your core business.
· You don't have to educate yourself on the topic of “taxes.” Your tax advisor knows what to look out for and knows the current laws.
· You use tax leeway more efficiently and benefit from strategic advice on tax optimization.
· Your tax advisor ensures that legal deadlines and obligations, such as sales tax or annual financial statements, are met.
· On request, your tax advisor will take care of all communication with the tax office — even with tax audits or inquiries.
· In case of accounting errors, the tax advisor is liable — an important safety factor for companies.
· The services of a tax advisor cost money. These reduce your profit. However, you can deduct the costs as expenses from tax, as they are operationally related.
· You are relinquishing part of your accounting control and depend to a certain extent on the availability of your tax advisor.
· You do not always receive evaluations and booking details in real time, but on request or within agreed deadlines.
· Coordinating with the tax advisor can take time — especially if documents are handed over in an incomplete or unstructured manner.
What is the difference between an accountant and a tax advisor?
The terms accounting and tax advice are often equated in everyday life — in doing so, they fulfill different functions.
Anyone who deals with accounting for tax advisors should be aware of the differences: While accounting is primarily used for the structured recording of business transactions, tax advice aims to structure the tax situation in a legally secure and strategic manner.
The following overview shows you the most important differentiations in direct comparison:
Anyone who deals with accounting for tax advisors should be aware of the differences: While accounting is primarily used for the structured recording of business transactions, tax advice aims to structure the tax situation in a legally secure and strategic manner.
The following overview shows you the most important differentiations in direct comparison:
Accounting
Tax advice
Feature
All business transactions (e.g. invoices, receipts, payments) are systematically recorded and documented via accounting.
Tax advice answers tax and business questions and builds on accounting.
Targets
Preparation of evaluations and submission of advance legal returns, such as advance sales tax returns.
Optimizing the tax burden and developing tax strategies for the company.
Tasks
As part of accounting, Incoming and outgoing invoices and other documents booked.
Preparation of tax returns, annual financial statements, tax advice, planning of investments or reserves.
In summary, accounting is not part of tax advice, but its basis. Only on the basis of the recorded business transactions can your tax advisor prepare evaluations and then provide you with useful tax advice.
Still looking for the right tax advice?
With Integral, find new tax support that suits your self-employment.
.avif)
Why bookkeeping by a tax advisor is important
There are many reasons for having your bookkeeping done by a tax advisor. In theory, you can take care of everything yourself and do the bookkeeping without a tax advisor. In Germany, no one is required to work with a tax advisor.
However, practice shows that this is exactly what makes sense when your business develops, complex business transactions arise and everything has to be documented in accordance with the principles of proper accounting.
Some of the main reasons why working with a tax advisor is worthwhile include:
1. Professional security and legally compliant accounting
Tax advisors have in-depth knowledge of commercial and tax law. They ensure that your bookkeeping complies with current legal requirements — in particular the GoBD. This minimizes the risk of errors, inquiries from the tax office or complaints during tax audits.
2. Save time through clear processes
With a tax advisor at your side, you can concentrate on your core business. Whether you the Take over bookkeeping from a tax advisor lets or only outsource individual tasks — clear agreements and digital interfaces minimize your effort.
3. Individual tax advice
While the accounting department presents standardized processes, your tax advisor offers you individual scope for action: for example when choosing depreciation methods, making investment decisions or drafting contracts and reserves for tax purposes.
4. Avoiding missed deadlines and formal errors
Tax advisors keep an eye on all relevant deadlines and check the formal accuracy of the documents. This allows you to ensure that, for example, sales tax returns, annual financial statements or tax returns are submitted punctually and correctly.
5. Legal certainty in the event of changing requirements
Tax regulations change regularly. A tax advisor is required by law to receive continuing education. As a result, you benefit from up-to-date information and stay up to date on all topics related to accounting and taxes.
However, practice shows that this is exactly what makes sense when your business develops, complex business transactions arise and everything has to be documented in accordance with the principles of proper accounting.
Some of the main reasons why working with a tax advisor is worthwhile include:
1. Professional security and legally compliant accounting
Tax advisors have in-depth knowledge of commercial and tax law. They ensure that your bookkeeping complies with current legal requirements — in particular the GoBD. This minimizes the risk of errors, inquiries from the tax office or complaints during tax audits.
2. Save time through clear processes
With a tax advisor at your side, you can concentrate on your core business. Whether you the Take over bookkeeping from a tax advisor lets or only outsource individual tasks — clear agreements and digital interfaces minimize your effort.
3. Individual tax advice
While the accounting department presents standardized processes, your tax advisor offers you individual scope for action: for example when choosing depreciation methods, making investment decisions or drafting contracts and reserves for tax purposes.
4. Avoiding missed deadlines and formal errors
Tax advisors keep an eye on all relevant deadlines and check the formal accuracy of the documents. This allows you to ensure that, for example, sales tax returns, annual financial statements or tax returns are submitted punctually and correctly.
5. Legal certainty in the event of changing requirements
Tax regulations change regularly. A tax advisor is required by law to receive continuing education. As a result, you benefit from up-to-date information and stay up to date on all topics related to accounting and taxes.
What tasks does a tax advisor perform?
Which tasks your tax advisor takes on depends on your needs. You can let a tax advisor do the bookkeeping or just delegate individual areas — such as the annual financial statements or payslip.
The following sections provide you with an overview of all areas that your tax advisor can take care of.
The bookkeeping
On request, tax advisors can take over ongoing bookkeeping — i.e. booking business transactions based on your receipts. This includes income, expenditure, cash movements and bank transactions. Accounting forms the basis for business evaluations and the Financial statements. This also includes checking for completeness and GoBD compliance.
Payroll accounting
If you employ employees, your tax advisor will take care of all legally required reports and calculations. These include:
· Payslips
· Payroll tax returns
· DEÜV notifications to health insurance companies
· Certificates for employment agency, pension or accident insurance
· Contribution statements and annual reports
The advance sales tax return
Anyone who is subject to sales tax must regularly report their sales tax to the tax office. Your tax advisor can also take on this task for you. He also keeps an eye on your sales and tells you when you need to report on a monthly or quarterly basis, for example.
The annual financial statements and tax return
Your tax advisor takes care of your annual financial statements, either in the form of a balance sheet or an EEU, and also prepares the associated tax returns, for example for commercial or sales tax.
The general consultation
The tax advisor you work with is your first point of contact if you have any questions about your accounting. You can also make regular appointments with him, for example to plan your investments.
Communication with the tax office
Sometimes it happens that the tax office has questions about its tax. In these and other cases, and for example during a tax audit, your tax advisor becomes the point of contact for the authorities and ensures clear communication.
The following sections provide you with an overview of all areas that your tax advisor can take care of.
The bookkeeping
On request, tax advisors can take over ongoing bookkeeping — i.e. booking business transactions based on your receipts. This includes income, expenditure, cash movements and bank transactions. Accounting forms the basis for business evaluations and the Financial statements. This also includes checking for completeness and GoBD compliance.
Payroll accounting
If you employ employees, your tax advisor will take care of all legally required reports and calculations. These include:
· Payslips
· Payroll tax returns
· DEÜV notifications to health insurance companies
· Certificates for employment agency, pension or accident insurance
· Contribution statements and annual reports
The advance sales tax return
Anyone who is subject to sales tax must regularly report their sales tax to the tax office. Your tax advisor can also take on this task for you. He also keeps an eye on your sales and tells you when you need to report on a monthly or quarterly basis, for example.
The annual financial statements and tax return
Your tax advisor takes care of your annual financial statements, either in the form of a balance sheet or an EEU, and also prepares the associated tax returns, for example for commercial or sales tax.
The general consultation
The tax advisor you work with is your first point of contact if you have any questions about your accounting. You can also make regular appointments with him, for example to plan your investments.
Communication with the tax office
Sometimes it happens that the tax office has questions about its tax. In these and other cases, and for example during a tax audit, your tax advisor becomes the point of contact for the authorities and ensures clear communication.
How much does bookkeeping with a tax advisor cost?
The amount of Accounting costs with a tax advisor depends on several factors. In particular, the size of the company, the effort involved in bookkeeping and the services you use play a significant role here. In most cases, the basis is The Tax Consultant Remuneration Code. It represents a fixed fee framework that you can use as a guide.
In addition, the following details have an impact on the cost level, which you should use to calculate:
· the number of booking records, for example per month
· the legal form of your company (The accounting of a GmbH or a UG, for example, is significantly more complex than is the case with a sole proprietorship.)
· the type of bookkeeping (double bookkeeping or EURE?)
· Any additional benefits, for example, if you have hired employees and your accountant should cover payroll.
Smaller companies and freelancers usually pay around €200 to €365 for their ongoing bookkeeping. Medium-sized companies should calculate around 500€ for the same period.
Payroll accounting costs around €20 per employee per month. The cost of the annual financial statements depends on their complexity. However, sums of 2,000€ and more are not uncommon. You should also expect around 500€ to 1,000€ per tax return.
However, you can in turn deduct the costs of your company tax return from tax. They reduce your profit. The situation is different with your private income tax return. This is not operationally deductible.
In addition, the following details have an impact on the cost level, which you should use to calculate:
· the number of booking records, for example per month
· the legal form of your company (The accounting of a GmbH or a UG, for example, is significantly more complex than is the case with a sole proprietorship.)
· the type of bookkeeping (double bookkeeping or EURE?)
· Any additional benefits, for example, if you have hired employees and your accountant should cover payroll.
Smaller companies and freelancers usually pay around €200 to €365 for their ongoing bookkeeping. Medium-sized companies should calculate around 500€ for the same period.
Payroll accounting costs around €20 per employee per month. The cost of the annual financial statements depends on their complexity. However, sums of 2,000€ and more are not uncommon. You should also expect around 500€ to 1,000€ per tax return.
However, you can in turn deduct the costs of your company tax return from tax. They reduce your profit. The situation is different with your private income tax return. This is not operationally deductible.
This is how you can prepare your bookkeeping for the tax advisor
By preparing your bookkeeping well, you can make things easier for your tax advisor and thus ultimately save money. The fewer queries he has, the easier your bookkeeping is.
The following tips will help you out:
1. Sort all documents and ensure that they are complete.
The first step is to sort all relevant income and expenditure documents. This includes invoices and receipts. Organize them chronologically by type and introduce individual categories, such as “travel expenses” or “advertising costs.”
2. Download bank statements and the like
So that your tax advisor can see what amounts you have paid or what sums you have received, you provide him with your account statements and credit card statements. If you use PayPal or other payment services, send him all documents here too.
3. Create an invoice list.
Here you can note which amounts are still outstanding and who has already paid their bill. This is how your tax advisor can see which receivables or liabilities still exist.
4. Talk to your tax advisor about regular payments.
If you have been working with your tax advisor for a long time, he certainly knows exactly what amounts, for example for rent, leasing, etc., are deducted from your account. However, when you sign new contracts, you must communicate this. This allows your tax advisor to track everything.
It is best to make a brief statement with your tax advisor and ask him what he wants in terms of preparing your bookkeeping — even if you have decided to take over the bookkeeping from the tax advisor and only outsource pure tax advice in the future. A lot of information about “taxes” can also be found on the Pages of the Federal Chamber of Tax Consultants.
The following tips will help you out:
1. Sort all documents and ensure that they are complete.
The first step is to sort all relevant income and expenditure documents. This includes invoices and receipts. Organize them chronologically by type and introduce individual categories, such as “travel expenses” or “advertising costs.”
2. Download bank statements and the like
So that your tax advisor can see what amounts you have paid or what sums you have received, you provide him with your account statements and credit card statements. If you use PayPal or other payment services, send him all documents here too.
3. Create an invoice list.
Here you can note which amounts are still outstanding and who has already paid their bill. This is how your tax advisor can see which receivables or liabilities still exist.
4. Talk to your tax advisor about regular payments.
If you have been working with your tax advisor for a long time, he certainly knows exactly what amounts, for example for rent, leasing, etc., are deducted from your account. However, when you sign new contracts, you must communicate this. This allows your tax advisor to track everything.
It is best to make a brief statement with your tax advisor and ask him what he wants in terms of preparing your bookkeeping — even if you have decided to take over the bookkeeping from the tax advisor and only outsource pure tax advice in the future. A lot of information about “taxes” can also be found on the Pages of the Federal Chamber of Tax Consultants.
Ready for simple tax processes?
Put your tax tasks in experienced hands — with clear processes, personal support and optimized procedures for your company.
Integral services at a glance
Regardless of whether you are a start-up or an established company — with Integral, our partner tax advisors provide you with a tax advisor service that covers accounting, tax returns and annual financial statements.
Tax advice
Bookkeeping
Payroll
Financial statements & tax return
All tax consulting services are provided by Integral Steuerberatungsgesellschaft mbH, Zionskirchstraße 75, 10119 Berlin.
Find tax advisors: How to relieve your company in the long term
If you've decided not to handle your bookkeeping yourself, you should always choose a tax advisor who is right for you and your company. After all, this is, among other things, a question of trust.
Choose a tax advisor with whom you feel good, who knows your industry and who understands your company! This allows you to take care of your day-to-day business while your tax advisor has your back, communicates with the tax office for you and is always available to answer any questions you may have.
Book a free information session
Choose a tax advisor with whom you feel good, who knows your industry and who understands your company! This allows you to take care of your day-to-day business while your tax advisor has your back, communicates with the tax office for you and is always available to answer any questions you may have.
Are you interested? Get digital advice now!
Would you like to save time, avoid paper chaos and optimize your tax? Then the modern digital tax advice Exactly what you expect! With a digital tax advisor at your side, you can easily upload all documents and have them processed further.
You also have access to your data at any time — even when you're on the go. Regardless of whether you are just starting to establish your start-up on the market or whether you have been active with your company for decades: Online tax advice adapts individually to your needs and helps you to better understand your taxes.
You also have access to your data at any time — even when you're on the go. Regardless of whether you are just starting to establish your start-up on the market or whether you have been active with your company for decades: Online tax advice adapts individually to your needs and helps you to better understand your taxes.
The following tips can help you choose the right tax advisor. You can use them not only if you are generally looking for a tax advisor, but also if you use your existing Change tax advisor want.
1. Find out about the available services, for example as part of an initial consultation. Here you can already answer many open questions.
2. Focus on clear communication and show which services you would like to outsource and what you might want to take on yourself. Many tax advisors use special tools that ensure that their clients have important documents Always have it quickly at hand. This allows you to exchange information at any time on the basis of the relevant data.
3. Ask for a transparent offer that will help you to Costs of a tax advisor To be able to plan optimally from the outset.
With the right partner at your side, it doesn't matter whether you want to make optimal use of business expenses and depreciation to save taxes or whether you want to avoid expensive VAT mistakes: A professional tax advisor will pick you up where you are and answer your questions.
Free information session1. Find out about the available services, for example as part of an initial consultation. Here you can already answer many open questions.
2. Focus on clear communication and show which services you would like to outsource and what you might want to take on yourself. Many tax advisors use special tools that ensure that their clients have important documents Always have it quickly at hand. This allows you to exchange information at any time on the basis of the relevant data.
3. Ask for a transparent offer that will help you to Costs of a tax advisor To be able to plan optimally from the outset.
With the right partner at your side, it doesn't matter whether you want to make optimal use of business expenses and depreciation to save taxes or whether you want to avoid expensive VAT mistakes: A professional tax advisor will pick you up where you are and answer your questions.
.svg)
1. Free initial consultation
Use our contact form — we will get in touch with you quickly to clarify the needs of your GmbH.
2. Tailored offer & start
You will receive an individual offer and can start setting it up right away.
3. Clarity and collaboration
Follow all tax steps in real time and work smoothly with our partner tax advisor via the Integral platform.
FAQ: Accounting vs. tax advice
What are the benefits of bookkeeping by a tax advisor?
With a tax advisor, you have an expert at your side who ensures that all processes related to your accounting are carried out correctly and in accordance with current legal requirements. A tax advisor has your back while you focus on your core business. It also helps you optimize your tax so that, ideally, you can even save taxes.
How much does bookkeeping with a tax advisor cost?
The costs depend primarily on the scope of your bookkeeping and on your type of company. Larger companies, for example, pay more than a freelancer. The more complex your accounting becomes, the higher costs arise. This applies, among other things, if you take advantage of additional services, for example in the area of payroll accounting.
What does the tax advisor need for the annual financial statements?
So that the Tax advisors prepare the annual financial statements Can, he needs, among other things, all documents for the respective fiscal year, account statements and the cash book, information on outstanding liabilities and receivables, the depreciation schedule, contracts for services, etc. and information on your provisions. It's best to inquire
What is the difference between accounting and tax advice?
Accounting forms the basis for tax advice. It documents and organizes all business cases. Typical tasks that fall within the area of accounting include posting documents and preparing the advance sales tax return. The data from accounting is then used by tax consultants, for example, to optimize the tax burden and to present how the company is currently doing economically.
Can you dismiss your tax advisor?
Yes If you are no longer satisfied with your current advisor, you can Terminate tax advisor and your Change tax advisor. It is important to plan with a small time buffer to ensure a smooth transition.
Legal notice: The information provided on our website is researched and compiled by Integral with great care. However, due to constantly changing legal regulations and regulations, we cannot guarantee the completeness, timeliness or accuracy of the content. For individual tax or legal concerns, we recommend that you always consult a qualified expert. We would be happy to arrange a suitable contact for you. Integral assumes no liability for any damage that could result from the use or misinterpretation of the information provided.
.svg)
Ask our tax experts now
Our partner tax advisors are here to help you — quickly, directly and with tailor-made solutions. Let's solve your tax challenges together.
.svg)
