Audit and audit-related advisory services for businesses

– Professional auditing services for companies in Germany –

Companies that prioritise reliable financial reporting, transparent accounting and well-informed decision-making need an auditor who delivers more than just an audit report. ACCONSIS supports medium-sized enterprises, family-run businesses, corporate groups and international companies with statutory and voluntary audits, as well as audit-related advisory services – providing a personalised, interdisciplinary service across Germany.

As an audit firm based in Munich, ACCONSIS combines auditing, tax consultancy, legal advice and management consultancy under one roof. This interdisciplinary approach creates tangible added value for clients – particularly when dealing with complex requirements, international structures or audit-related issues.

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An overview of our audit services

ACCONSIS assists companies with statutory and voluntary audits, as well as with audit-related advisory services. The relevant service areas within the scope of our work include, amongst others:

nnual financial statement audits are a core part of an auditor’s work. Auditors examine the annual financial statements of companies such as GmbHs and AGs and assess their financial position. Under the German Commercial Code (HGB), a company becomes subject to statutory audit requirements when it exceeds at least two of the three size thresholds set out in section 267 HGB at two consecutive financial year ends. These thresholds relate to total assets, turnover and the number of employees.

  • Statutory annual audits: Audits required by law for medium-sized and large companies such as GmbHs and AGs under section 316 HGB.
  • Voluntary annual audits: For businesses that want to provide banks, investors or shareholders with reliable, independently audited financial information.
  • Preparing for your first statutory audit: Companies approaching the audit thresholds benefit from early preparation. ACCONSIS guides you through the transition with a clear plan and practical support. Find out more about preparing for your first statutory audit
  • Building trust with stakeholders: Audited financial statements strengthen your credibility with banks, insurers, investors and business partners.

Find out more about annual financial statement audits

A group audit examines the consolidated financial statements of a group of related companies. ACCONSIS audits consolidated financial statements prepared under the German Commercial Code (HGB) and helps international groups prepare their consolidated financial statements and coordinate the reporting process.

  • Audits of consolidated financial statements and group reports.
  • Preparation and audit of reporting packages for international groups – the financial information used to compile the group’s consolidated financial statements.
  • Coordination with the parent company, auditors of individual group entities and overseas audit firms.
  • Support for complex holding structures and groups with multiple ownership levels.

Find out more about group audits

International companies and German subsidiaries of overseas groups often need to meet financial reporting requirements that go beyond German accounting rules. ACCONSIS provides advice and practical support in the following areas:

  • IFRS advisory and international financial reporting: Support with adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), accounting issues, purchase price allocation, impairment testing and other specialist matters, in line with current IFRS and other applicable international standards.
  • SOX compliance and PCAOB-related audit requirements: Advisory and audit services covering readiness for Sarbanes–Oxley (SOX) compliance, financial reporting controls and IT general controls (ITGC), particularly for subsidiaries of US-listed groups.
  • Internal controls and IT audits: Audit and advisory services covering internal controls, application controls, access controls, IT change management and IT risks.

Find out more about international financial reporting

Alongside financial statement audits, ACCONSIS provides a range of special audits and audit-related advisory services:

  • Special audits, including those conducted under German laws and regulations such as MaBV, VerpackG, VermAnlG and KAGB. Depending on the engagement, these may also include investigations into suspected embezzlement and audits relating to company formation.
  • Embezzlement investigations and assessments of asset recoverability.
  • Outsourced internal audit, performance management based on key performance indicators (KPIs), and reporting frameworks.
  • Due diligence, transaction support and business succession planning as related advisory services.
  • Business valuations are often needed when buying or selling a business. They form part of our audit-related advisory services rather than a financial statement audit.

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires a growing number of companies to report on environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. ACCONSIS helps businesses prepare for these requirements, organise their data and obtain independent assurance:

  • ESG assurance and support with CSRD-related requirements.
  • Developing ESG data and reporting processes that can be independently verified.
  • Ensuring data quality and establishing internal controls for sustainability metrics.
  • Advice on materiality assessments and the phased implementation of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).

Sustainability reporting requires specialist expertise, both in developing the processes used to collect and manage data and in providing independent assurance on the resulting reports.

Find out more about our ESG and sustainability advisory services

Why choose ACCONSIS for auditing?

  • Interdisciplinary advisory approach: ACCONSIS combines audit, tax, legal and management consultancy services. Clients benefit from an integrated approach – particularly when it comes to matters that go beyond a standard audit, such as IFRS conversions, SOX compliance, ESG audits or transaction support.
  • Personalised, partner-led client support: At ACCONSIS, experienced staff and partners manage client accounts directly. Short lines of communication, clear points of contact and a deep understanding of each client’s individual business situation are a given.
  • Experience with medium-sized and family-run businesses: ACCONSIS understands the specific requirements of limited liability companies (GmbHs), corporate groups and owner-managed companies – from the initial statutory audit requirement right through to complex group financial statement audits.
  • Modern, digital and data-driven audit methods: data analytics, automated audit procedures and digital documentation enable an efficient and risk-based audit. This ensures that audit resources are targeted precisely where they create the greatest added value.
  • Clear communication and practical recommendations: findings are presented in an easy-to-understand manner. Alongside our audit opinion, we provide management with clear findings and practical recommendations.
  • Expertise in international structures and complex requirements: Our specialists support businesses with international financial reporting, group reporting packages, SOX compliance and sustainability assurance.

Who our audit services are relevant to

ACCONSIS advises companies in a variety of situations and with different legal structures – nationwide and across all sectors:

  • Medium-sized companies and limited liability companies (GmbHs) that are legally required to undergo an audit or wish to have their annual accounts audited on a voluntary basis.
  • Family businesses that wish to ensure transparency for shareholders and future generations.
  • Groups of companies and holding structures that require an audit of their consolidated financial statements or consolidated reporting.
  • International companies and German subsidiaries of overseas groups that need support with IFRS reporting, SOX compliance or PCAOB-related audit requirements.
  • Companies preparing for their first statutory audit that want to get their processes, systems and documentation ready in good time.
  • Companies choosing a voluntary audit to strengthen their standing with lenders or prepare for discussions with investors.
  • Companies facing increasing complexity in the areas of reporting, internal control systems, ESG or group structures.

As a member of Allinial Global, we support internationally active companies by drawing on the country-specific expertise of our skilled colleagues, thereby ensuring professional global consultancy services.

Our audit process

Step 1:
Understanding your business and audit needs

We analyse the company’s structure, its legal form and the specific audit requirements. In doing so, we determine whether the audit is statutory or voluntary, which areas are affected and what objectives the company is seeking to achieve through the audit.

Step 2:
Audit planning and risk assessment

We develop an audit plan tailored to your business, focusing on the key risks in your financial reporting. Together, we agree the timetable, scope and responsibilities.

Step 3:
Carrying out the audit and keeping you informed

Our auditors carry out the audit using modern, data-driven methods. We communicate our findings and interim results on an ongoing basis – ensuring that management and the accounts department are kept informed at all times.

Step 4:
Audit reporting and follow-up support

The process culminates in a detailed audit report containing practical recommendations. ACCONSIS continues to support companies even after the audit has concluded – for example, in implementing improvement measures, following up on findings, or addressing issues arising from the audit.

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Further information on auditing

Typical client situations

Each audit is tailored to the company’s circumstances and reporting requirements. ACCONSIS regularly handles the following types of client engagements:

  • First-time audit requirement: A GmbH exceeds the thresholds for total assets and turnover in two consecutive years. It is classified as a medium-sized company and is therefore subject to an audit in accordance with section 316 of the German Commercial Code (HGB). ACCONSIS helps the company prepare for its first audit and supports it throughout the process, through to the auditor’s opinion.
  • Voluntary audit of the annual accounts: A medium-sized company wishes to present reliable figures to banks and investors and decides to have its annual accounts audited on a voluntary basis.
  • Audit of consolidated financial statements: A group of companies comprising several entities requires audited consolidated financial statements in accordance with the German Commercial Code (HGB) – including consolidation and coordination with auditors of individual subsidiaries.
  • Reporting package for an international parent company: A German subsidiary needs to submit financial information to its overseas parent for group reporting. this reporting package follows international accounting requirements and needs to be reviewed or audited by a German auditor.
  • Preparing for ESG reporting: A company is facing CSRD reporting requirements and wishes to establish data processes, internal controls and reporting structures for sustainability reporting.
  • Improving internal control and reporting processes: A group’s finance team wants to improve its internal controls and reporting processes oruse key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor business performance.
  • International SOX or IFRS requirements: A subsidiary of a US-listed group requires support with SOX compliance, PCAOB-related requirements or IFRS accounting issues.
  • Reliable figures for shareholders and investors: Shareholders, banks and investors require audited financial statements as a prerequisite for financing, conversions, mergers or investment decisions.

Why auditing is important for businesses

Auditing is the independent scrutiny of companies’ financial reporting and accounting. It helps build transparency and trust among shareholders, lenders, investors, supervisory boards and business partners.

  • Transparency and trust: An audit provides an independent opinion on the financial statements. It is designed to identify significant errors or irregularities that affect the picture they present of the business. This helps shareholders, lenders and other users assess the company’s financial position and performance.
  • Well-informed decisions: Audited figures form the basis for strategic decisions taken by the management, the supervisory board and external partners. Banks and investors require reliable financial statements as the basis for financing and investment decisions.
  • Statutory requirements and compliance: Under section 316 of the German Commercial Code (HGB), companies such as GmbHs and AGs generally need their annual financial statements and management reports audited unless they qualify as small companies. The audit assesses compliance with the accounting requirements that apply, including the relevant HGB provisions or IFRS, as applicable.
  • Risk management and process optimisation: A professional audit identifies risks – ranging from liquidity shortages and compliance breaches to weaknesses in internal control systems. Audit-related advisory services can also help improve business processes and internal controls.
  • The auditor’s role as a trusted professional: The auditor must be free from conflicts of interest. Auditors are legally bound to maintain their independence and play a special role as independent experts, reliable auditors and competent points of contact for all parties involved.

Auditing with ACCONSIS – Your next step

Plan your audit well in advance and in a structured manner. ACCONSIS supports companies with statutory and voluntary audits, audits of annual accounts, audits of consolidated accounts and audit-related consultancy – offering a personalised, interdisciplinary service throughout Germany.

Please contact ACCONSIS for a no-obligation initial consultation:

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ACCONSIS – An audit firm based in Munich. Nationwide service. Interdisciplinary. Personal. Professionally sound.