Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
Frankfurt, Germany
Last Updated: August 2024
WZ M69.20DERevenue
€45.1bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
€X.Xbn
Employees
438k
Businesses
61,268
Wages
€XX.Xbn
Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing in Germany industry analysis
The industry offers a wide range of services to companies in all sectors of the economy, including audit, assurance, tax and compliance. Its total turnover has grown by an average of 0.9% annually since 2019, with the sector benefiting from the expansion of corporate investment and extensive M&A activities. The entry of new companies into the industry has intensified internal competition. In order to increase their market share, the largest auditing firms (audit firms) have increasingly acquired smaller companies and expanded their offering with additional consulting services through strategic acquisitions. In 2024, industry turnover is expected to increase by 0.7% to 45.1 billion euros.In the last five years, the major auditing firms have increasingly expanded their range of services to include advisory services. These additional services include, in particular, the assessment of regulatory risks and financial uncertainties. Digitalisation and the use of big data analyses play an important role in increasing efficiency and reducing errors. However, it is primarily large companies that benefit from these technological developments, while smaller companies suffer a competitive disadvantage as a result. In response to the Wirecard scandal and the associated loss of trust, regulation for auditors was tightened in order to improve balance sheet control and achieve a greater separation between auditing and consulting business.In the next five years, industry revenues are expected to increase at an average annual rate of 0.6%, reaching 46.6 billion euros in 2029. IBISWorld expects the industry to develop positively due to increasing private investment, rising corporate numbers and higher activity in the financial markets, including an increase in M&A activity. The increasingly stringent regulations on sustainability reporting should also have a positive impact on the development of the industry. The larger audit firms will continue to expand their consulting business against the backdrop of higher expected profit margins, while many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will tend to offer more niche services. Although competition is likely to increase, especially in the consumer segment, due to low-cost online alternatives for accounting or tax preparation, this should not significantly hamper growth in the sector.
Trends and Insights
- The opportunities offered by digitalisation are mainly used by larger industry players. Smaller companies often lack the necessary capital to invest in technological equipment.
- Tax consultancy is the highest-revenue service in the industry. The proportion attributable to accounting is almost as high. Consultancy services are currently gaining in importance.
- The central region has the highest number of companies in the sector. Of these, by far the most are located in North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous federal state in Germany.
- There is fierce competition in the industry. As a rule, large companies compete for large business customers and small players for smaller customers.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €45.1bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The range of services offered by industry players is increasingly being supplemented by consulting services
- Over the past five years, larger companies in the sector have increasingly generated revenue through additional services that are no longer directly related to the sector's traditional activities.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The increasing density of regulation increases complexity, but also creates new sales markets for industry services
- Market conditions are likely to continue to change in the future. Due to the ongoing adaptation of laws and directives, economic players are confronted with increasingly complex requirements.
Biggest companies in the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH | 2,978.0 | |
Ernst & Young GmbH | 2,792.0 | |
KPMG AG | 2,476.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing in Germany
Products & Services
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Tax Consultancy, Accounting services and Auditing and audit-related services. Tax Consultancy is the largest segment of the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing in Germany.
Trends and Insights
Most companies decide to take advantage of professional tax advice
- Tax consultancy services form an important service segment of the industry, as the regular preparation and submission of basic tax returns is mandatory for every business entity, regardless of whether it is a private individual or a company.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Legal Activities in Germany
- Management Consultants in Germany
International industries
- Global Accounting Services
- Accounting Services in the US
- Accounting Services in Canada
- Accounting Services in Australia
- Accounting Services in New Zealand
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This sector comprises the activities of auditors or auditing companies, sworn auditors or auditing companies, tax agents, tax consultants or tax consulting companies and accounting service providers. The players in the sector audit annual financial statements, advise on tax issues, prepare tax returns, handle bookkeeping, analyse the financial situation and ensure compliance with statutory regulations.
What's included in this industry?
Tax ConsultancyAccounting servicesAuditing and audit-related servicesCompanies
PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbHErnst & Young GmbHKPMG AGPurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
ADVISORYASSURANCEBIG FOURSECOND TIERESG (ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, GOVERNANCE)Industry Code
WZ 69.20 - Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing in Germany
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The opportunities offered by digitalisation are mainly used by larger industry players. Smaller companies often lack the necessary capital to invest in technological equipmen...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Tax consultancy is the highest-revenue service in the industry. The proportion attributable to accounting is almost as high. Consultancy services are currently gaining in imp...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The central region has the highest number of companies in the sector. Of these, by far the most are located in North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous federal state in Germ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
There is fierce competition in the industry. As a rule, large companies compete for large business customers and small players for smaller customers.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
PwC is the market leader in the audit, tax and accounting sector in Germany. The company provides services for national and international clients of all sizes in the areas of...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Ernst & Young GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of KPMG AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Ernst & Young GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for KPMG AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The EU audit reform requires auditors to rotate at regular intervals. Not only must the auditing company change, but the responsible audit partner must also rotate within a c...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The profit margin can vary greatly from company to company. Large companies generally have a higher profit margin than small ones.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing industry in Germany in 2024?
The market size of the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing industry in Germany is €45.1bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing in Germany industry in 2024?
There are 61,268 businesses in the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.6 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 0.9 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing market in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing market in Germany are PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH, Ernst & Young GmbH and KPMG AG
What does the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing in Germany include?
Tax Consultancy and Accounting services are part of the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in Germany is PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH.
How competitive is the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing industry in Germany?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Accounting, Bookkeeping & Auditing industry in Germany.
