DATEV Interface

DATEV is the dominant tax-software ecosystem in Germany, operated as a cooperative of German tax advisors (Steuerberater). The vast majority of German Steuerberater use DATEV for client bookkeeping, payroll and reporting. For ERP-bearing German operations — whether they outsource bookkeeping to a Steuerberater or use DATEV in-house — ERP-to-DATEV integration is one of the most-evaluated technical requirements during ERP selection. Foreign ERP products without credible DATEV integration struggle in the German market.

DATEV platforms

DATEV operates several integrated platforms. DATEV Kanzlei-Rechnungswesen pro: the Steuerberater-side accounting and bookkeeping platform. DATEV Mid-Market Faktura and DATEV Mid-Market Faktura Compact: in-house bookkeeping for medium-sized companies. DATEV Lohn und Gehalt: payroll platform. DATEV LODAS: payroll for larger and more-complex needs. DATEV Unternehmen online: cloud-based platform connecting businesses with their Steuerberater for document exchange, invoice management, and dashboard reporting. DATEVconnect online: modern API-based interface replacing legacy CSV-based integration. Each platform has its own ERP-integration patterns; modern integrations increasingly favour DATEVconnect online and Unternehmen online over the legacy CSV exports.

Integration methods

Three integration generations coexist. (1) DATEV-CSV export: the classical method — ERP exports postings in DATEV-format CSV files, which are imported into DATEV at the Steuerberater. Robust, broadly supported by every German-relevant ERP, but batch-oriented and limited to specific data types. (2) DATEVconnect online API: modern REST-based API for real-time bidirectional data exchange. Increasingly the preferred integration method for cloud ERPs (Business Central, NetSuite, weclapp). (3) DATEV Unternehmen online integration: cloud-based document exchange with the Steuerberater, with structured invoice data and electronic-document workflow. Common for AP-invoice automation in German mid-market. The right method depends on ERP capability, Steuerberater preference and operational cadence.

ERP integration with DATEV

All major German-relevant ERPs include DATEV integration. SAP S/4HANA: standard DATEV export programs plus partner-built DATEVconnect integrations. Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O and Business Central: native DATEV integration for German localisation, increasingly via DATEVconnect online. Oracle Cloud ERP: DATEV-format export and emerging API integration. NetSuite: DATEV-format export with German-localisation packages. Sage products: deep DATEV integration given the same German market focus. abas, proALPHA: native DATEV integration. weclapp, Xentral, sevDesk: cloud-native DATEV integration. International ERPs without credible DATEV integration (some US-only products, newer global cloud ERPs) face material adoption barriers in Germany. Partners (DATEVconnect-certified implementation firms) typically configure the integration during ERP implementation.

SKR 03 and SKR 04 charts of accounts

DATEV publishes Standardkontenrahmen (SKR) defining standard German charts of accounts. SKR 03: process-oriented chart, common in trade and SMB. SKR 04: balance-sheet-oriented chart aligned with IFRS structures, common in larger mid-market and group-reporting operations. SKR 14: specific to agriculture. SKR 51, 70, 80, 81, 99: various industry-specific variants. ERP-side configuration: select the SKR variant matching the Steuerberater's preference and customer needs. The chart-of-accounts structure drives DATEV-export mapping; mismatched charts produce export errors and reconciliation problems. German-localised cloud ERPs ship with SKR 03 and SKR 04 pre-configured; customers select the appropriate variant during initial setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DATEV integration optional for international ERPs in Germany?

For larger enterprises with in-house tax functions, sometimes — they may operate independently of DATEV and submit reports directly. For mid-market and SMB with German operations, DATEV integration is effectively mandatory because most German Steuerberater require it. Foreign ERPs without DATEV integration consistently lose German selections to alternatives that have it.

How is e-invoicing changing DATEV integration?

Structured e-invoicing (XRechnung, ZUGFeRD) flows naturally through DATEV Unternehmen online and DATEVconnect, with the Steuerberater receiving invoices in structured form. The shift simplifies AP automation: the OCR step disappears, data is already structured, posting accuracy improves. By 2027, when B2B e-invoicing is mandatory in Germany, DATEV integration will increasingly be e-invoice-centric.

Can SaaS ERP integrate with DATEV effectively?

Yes, via DATEVconnect online API and DATEV Unternehmen online. Modern cloud ERPs (Business Central, NetSuite, weclapp, Xentral) deliver credible DATEV integration. Public-cloud multi-tenant ERPs handle the integration via APIs; the integration depth has caught up to traditional on-premises ERPs.