Finance Stack for German Handwerk Business
Setup for trade businesses: electricians, plumbers, carpenters. Mobile invoicing, material tracking.
How This Stack Works
Complete job → Create invoice on mobile with lexoffice → Customer pays to FYRST → lexoffice syncs transaction → Sage handles payroll → DATEV to Steuerberater
App Compatibility
How well the apps in this stack work together
5/10 pairs known
Integrations
Notes
No known integration between fyrst and sage-lohn
No known integration between lexoffice and lexoffice
No known integration between lexoffice and sage-lohn
+ 2 more notices
Apps & Services in This Stack
Each category below shows the recommended app or service and alternatives. Click on any item to learn more.
FYRST
Deutsche Bank's digital business banking offering. German reliability with modern features.
Why this choice
FYRST combines German bank reliability with modern digital features, which is essential for Handwerk businesses that need established banking relationships for credit lines and equipment financing. The bank offers robust SEPA capabilities for supplier payments and customer receipts, plus integration with common accounting tools. Traditional Hausbank relationships remain valuable when you need Bürgschaften or larger loans for vehicles and machinery.
When to switch
Stay with Hausbank if you have credit lines.
Alternatives
lexoffice
Popular German accounting software by Lexware. GoBD-compliant, great for small businesses.
Why this choice
lexoffice excels for Handwerk with its powerful mobile app that lets you create professional invoices directly at the job site, capturing labor hours, materials used, and travel costs on the spot. The app supports Handwerk-specific features like Aufmaß documentation, partial invoicing for larger projects, and automatic position templates for recurring service types. Seamless bank sync means you see payments instantly without manual matching.
When to switch
Consider specialized Handwerk software for larger operations.
Alternatives
lexoffice
Popular German accounting software by Lexware. GoBD-compliant, great for small businesses.
Why this choice
lexoffice is the standard tool German Steuerberater work with, ensuring smooth collaboration and DATEV-Export compatibility for year-end filings. The software handles EÜR perfectly for small Handwerk businesses and grows with you to full Bilanzierung when needed. GoBD-compliance is built-in, so every receipt and invoice is audit-proof from day one.
When to switch
N/A
Alternatives
Why this choice
For Handwerk businesses with project-based income and seasonal fluctuations, finban provides essential cash flow visibility. Connect your bank to see upcoming material costs, subcontractor payments, and customer receipts, helping you plan for slow periods and decide when to invest in new equipment or vehicles.
When to switch
N/A
Why this choice
Sage Lohn handles the complex German payroll requirements that Handwerk businesses face, including Tariflohn calculations, Baulohn regulations, and SOKA contributions where applicable. The software manages Zuschläge for overtime, weekend work, and hazardous conditions that are common in trades. Direct integration with Krankenkassen and ELSTER simplifies monthly reporting obligations.
When to switch
Let Steuerberater do payroll if under 5 employees.
Alternatives
Accountable Tax Service
Combination of tax software and human tax advisors for freelancers.
Why this choice
A Steuerberater with Handwerk experience understands the specific tax optimization opportunities like Investitionsabzugsbetrag for planned equipment purchases and proper vehicle depreciation strategies for Werkstatt and Firmenwagen. They navigate the complexities of material cost accounting, subcontractor payments with Freistellungsbescheinigung, and help maximize deductions for tools and training. Local expertise means they know regional Handwerkskammer requirements and funding programs.
When to switch
N/A
Why this choice
KfW offers specialized loan programs for Handwerk including ERP-Gründerkredit for new masters and equipment financing with favorable interest rates below market level. The bank finances vehicle fleets, workshop equipment, and business expansion with long repayment terms. Check BAFA grants for energy-efficient equipment and your Bundesland for Meisterbonus, Meistergründungsprämie, and other regional support programs.
When to switch
N/A
Alternatives
About This Business Type
Handwerk (skilled trades) in Germany carries cultural significance and regulatory structure unlike anywhere else. From electricians to carpenters to plumbers, the Handwerkskammer system provides structure, training, and regulation. Your finance stack needs to work within this framework while enabling modern operations. The financial realities of Handwerk are distinct: material costs can be significant, labor is your primary value-add, and customers often pay after work completion. Job costing—understanding profitability per project—is essential. Your pricing needs to cover materials, labor, overhead, and profit, with clear documentation for customers and tax authorities. Mobile operations are common in Handwerk. You need tools that work from the job site—mobile invoicing, expense capture, and time tracking. The days of returning to the office to do paperwork are fading; modern Handwerker manage finances from their phone between jobs.
Common Challenges
- Job costing with materials and labor
- Mobile operations and paperwork
- Quote accuracy and scope changes
- Seasonal demand variations
- Apprentice and journeyman management
Compliance Requirements
- Handwerkskammer membership and rules
- Meisterpflicht for licensed trades
- Tarifvertrag and labor rules
- German invoicing requirements
- Vehicle and equipment depreciation
Why This Stack Works
- Mobile invoicing from job sites
- Material cost tracking
- Simple job profitability analysis
- DATEV-ready for Steuerberater
- Works with limited office time
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Meister certification to start a Handwerk business?
For 53 'Meisterpflichtige' trades (including electrical, plumbing, HVAC), yes—you or a technical manager needs Meister certification. Other trades are 'zulassungsfrei' and don't require it. Check your specific trade with the Handwerkskammer. Some experienced professionals can get Altgesellenregelung exemptions.
How should Handwerk businesses price jobs?
Calculate: direct material costs + direct labor hours × hourly rate + overhead allocation + profit margin. Know your fully-loaded hourly cost (including insurance, vehicle, tools). German customers expect itemized quotes. Track actual vs. estimated on completed jobs to improve future pricing. Don't undercharge—quality Handwerk deserves fair payment.
What's the best mobile invoicing for German Handwerk?
lexoffice has a good mobile app for on-site invoicing with German compliance. Create invoices immediately after job completion for faster payment. Include photos of completed work. For more Handwerk-specific features, consider Plancraft or similar industry tools that connect to accounting systems.
How do Handwerk businesses handle materials in accounting?
Track materials as cost of goods sold (Wareneinsatz) for each job. Either: (1) bill materials at cost plus markup, or (2) include in overall job price. Keep receipts and match to jobs for job costing. For inventory (stock materials), track purchases and usage. Your Steuerberater needs clear material cost records for tax and profitability analysis.
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