Buy Accounting Software – Cash-Basis & Double-Entry Licences

Proper bookkeeping is a legal obligation for most businesses – and the right accounting software makes this essential part of running a business considerably more efficient, more secure and less time-consuming. From simple cash-basis accounting (EÜR, the German income-surplus method) for the self-employed to full double-entry bookkeeping with annual financial statements for limited companies – in the Financial Accounting section of Lizenzindustrie you will find key accounting software solutions as verified licences, delivered by email at a price well below the official list price.

Who needs accounting software?

Almost anyone who runs a business needs some form of bookkeeping – and therefore a suitable software solution:

Freelancers and the self-employed are generally not required to keep books under German commercial law – but they still have to calculate their profit for the tax office (Finanzamt), record income and expenditure, submit advance VAT returns and file an income tax return. Simple accounting software with an EÜR function fully covers these requirements.

Traders and commercial businesses become subject to statutory bookkeeping requirements above certain turnover and profit thresholds and must keep full double-entry books with annual financial statements. Professional accounting software ensures compliance with GoBD (the German principles for proper digital bookkeeping and record-keeping) and generates all legally required reports automatically.

Limited companies (GmbH, AG) are always required to keep books – regardless of turnover and profit. They need full financial accounting with a balance sheet, profit and loss account and notes.

Cash-basis accounting or double-entry bookkeeping – which do I need?

The choice of accounting method depends on the legal form of the business and the statutory requirements:

Cash-basis accounting (EÜR, Einnahmen-Überschuss-Rechnung) is the simplified method of determining profit for freelancers, the self-employed and small traders who are not required to keep books. With EÜR, income and expenditure are simply set against each other – without inventory accounting and without a balance sheet. Simple, clear and entirely sufficient for many self-employed people.

Double-entry bookkeeping (financial accounting) is required by law for businesses that are obliged to keep books. Every business transaction is posted to at least two accounts – on the debit side of one account and the credit side of another. The result is a complete picture of the company's assets, financial position and earnings – with a balance sheet and profit and loss account as the annual financial statements.

As a rule of thumb: freelancers and the self-employed → EÜR. Traders above the statutory thresholds and all limited companies → double-entry bookkeeping. If in doubt, your tax adviser can help you decide.

What should good accounting software be able to do?

• GoBD compliance: An unalterable posting history, complete logging of all transactions and audit-proof archiving for the statutory retention periods (eight or ten years depending on the document).
• ELSTER interface: Direct submission of advance VAT returns, annual tax returns and other filings to the tax office via ELSTER, the German tax authorities' online portal – with no manual effort.
• DATEV interface: Standardised data exchange with your tax adviser, who almost always works with DATEV, the standard system used by German tax advisers – saving considerable manual work on the annual tax return.
• Automatic updates: Tax laws, social security rates and other legal requirements change regularly. Good accounting software is updated automatically.
• Reports: Management accounts (BWA), trial balance, open items list, cash book – available at the touch of a button at any time.
• Invoicing: An integrated function for creating professional sales invoices – GoBD-compliant with automatic posting.
• Bank connection: Automatic import of bank statements and automatic reconciliation with postings – saving a great deal of manual data entry time.

The most important accounting software solutions at a glance

• Lexware Buchhaltung – Lexware is one of the best-known providers of financial software for small and medium-sized businesses in Germany. Lexware Buchhaltung offers full double-entry bookkeeping, GoBD-compliant data storage, a DATEV interface, ELSTER connectivity and extensive reporting – in a proven, intuitive interface. Lexware Buchhaltung Pro adds advanced functions for more complex requirements.
• WISO Buchhaltung – WISO by Buhl Data Service is particularly strong in the small business and self-employed segment – with an easy-to-use EÜR function, full bookkeeping and a direct connection to your tax adviser. WISO Mein Büro combines accounting with invoicing and customer management.
• Sage 50 – Sage 50 is a powerful accounting solution for small and medium-sized businesses with full double-entry bookkeeping, integrated inventory management and extensive reporting functions. Particularly suitable for businesses that want to manage accounting and inventory in one integrated system.
• sevDesk – sevDesk is a modern, cloud-based accounting and invoicing solution – particularly attractive for the self-employed and small business owners who want to access their accounts from anywhere. With bank connection, automatic receipt processing and a direct DATEV connection for your tax adviser.
• Lexware Office (formerly Lexoffice) – Lexware Office is the cloud-based solution for the self-employed and small businesses – with invoicing, EÜR, advance VAT returns and simple bookkeeping in an intuitive, modern interface.

Accounting software and your tax adviser

Many business owners use accounting software in combination with a tax adviser – not instead of one. The software handles the day-to-day bookkeeping and advance VAT returns, while the tax adviser – often supplemented by their own tax software – takes care of the annual financial statements, tax returns and tax advice.

In this combination, the DATEV interface is crucial: almost all German tax advisers work with DATEV. Accounting software with DATEV export hands over the posted data in a format that the tax adviser can import directly into their DATEV system – with no manual rework and no transfer errors.

How buying from Lizenzindustrie works

You can get an accounting software licence from Lizenzindustrie without any detours. Choose your product, add it to the basket, complete your purchase – you will receive your licence key by email, usually within 5 to 30 minutes after payment is received (daily 9:00–21:00). No physical shipping.

• ✔ Delivery by email – licence key usually 5 to 30 minutes after payment is received (daily 9:00–21:00)
• ✔ Verified licences – can be activated via the manufacturer's official servers
• ✔ Considerably cheaper than the official list price
• ✔ Cash-basis & double-entry bookkeeping – all requirements covered
• ✔ DATEV & ELSTER interfaces – seamless data exchange
• ✔ GoBD-compliant solutions – legally secure and compliant
• ✔ Traceable origin – licences from distributors and wholesalers in Europe
• ✔ Fast support – we help you quickly if you have questions

As well as accounting, do you need payroll software, POS software or an inventory management system? Do you have questions about choosing the right accounting software? Our Support and Service team will advise you free of charge.

Frequently asked questions about accounting software

At what turnover am I required to keep books?

Under Section 141 of the German Fiscal Code (AO), traders are required to keep books if, in a financial year, they achieve a turnover of more than 800,000 euros or a profit of more than 80,000 euros (thresholds since 2024) and the tax office requests them to do so. Limited companies (GmbH, AG) are always required to keep books. Freelancers are generally not required to keep books and can use EÜR. If in doubt, we recommend consulting a tax adviser.

What is the difference between Lexware and WISO?

Lexware and WISO are both leading German providers of accounting software. Lexware is positioned somewhat more strongly in the mid-sized business segment and offers more depth for complex bookkeeping requirements. WISO scores with particularly easy operation and is especially popular with the self-employed and small business owners. Both offer a DATEV interface and ELSTER connectivity.

Can I use my accounting software myself or do I need a tax adviser?

Most self-employed people can handle simple EÜR bookkeeping themselves. Full double-entry bookkeeping with annual financial statements requires basic accounting knowledge or the support of a tax adviser. Many businesses use the software for day-to-day bookkeeping and only engage the tax adviser for the annual financial statements and tax returns.

How quickly will I receive my licence key?

Usually 5 to 30 minutes after payment is received (daily 9:00–21:00) – your activation key is delivered by email. Activation via the manufacturer's official servers takes just a few minutes.