Haufe Group

What Haufe Group does

Haufe Group is a privately held German B2B provider of integrated business and workplace solutions, operating since 1951 as Haufe Group SE, a European Aktiengesellschaft headquartered in Freiburg. The company combines three core service lines: content (including the Schäffer-Poeschel Verlag and Verlag für Controlling Wissen AG publishing houses), software (the Haufe-Lexware division covering HR management, business management, and accounting/tax software such as Smartsteuer), and training (Haufe Akademie, including the Haufe Compliance College digital compliance training solution). Its underlying technology stack includes web-based SaaS delivery, an e-invoicing system compliant with European standard EN 16931 supporting XRechnung and ZUGFeRD formats over PEPPOL and TraffiqX networks, and integrations with technology partners including SmartRecruiters (ATS), Salesforce (CRM), Oracle Eloqua (marketing automation), Econda (analytics), and Usercentrics (consent management). The Haufe Group Ventures arm operates as the company's innovation and startup engagement channel.

The company's revenue model blends recurring subscription software (Haufe-Lexware HR and business software), professional services and training delivery (Haufe Akademie and Compliance College), and content publishing. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated based on customer requirements and scope. Go-to-market is sales-led and enterprise-focused for HR, compliance, and business management software targeting medium-to-large enterprises, with a parallel SMB/self-serve motion for Lexware accounting and tax products. The horizontal segmentation approach serves B2B enterprises as the primary customer tier, with corporate HR and compliance departments as a dedicated buyer group.

Haufe Group operates primarily in the DACH region with regional offices across Freiburg, Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Frankfurt, and Karlsruhe, and wholly-owned subsidiaries in Spain (Haufe Group Software Solutions Spain S.L.) and Romania (Haufe Group Romania SRL). Distribution is multi-channel: direct enterprise sales through Haufe Service Center GmbH, online digital self-serve via company websites, and partnerships with educational institutions and technology providers. The company is led by CEO Birte Hackenjos (with the group since 1997, CEO since 2020) and CFO Harald Wagner (with the group since 2008, CFO since 2020), under Supervisory Board Chairman Alexander Laqua.

Name

Haufe Group

Legal name

Haufe Group SE

Website

https://haufegroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Haufe Group is a German B2B provider of integrated business and workplace solutions combining content, software, and training, serving medium-to-large enterprises, SMBs, and HR/comプライアンス departments in DACH markets through brands such as Haufe-Lexware, Haufe Akademie, and Smartsteuer.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Management Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (51321), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

HR Compliance & Policy Administration Outsourcing (incl. regulatory reporting) (BPACAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Resources & Talent (SHRM/HRCI Recertification) (EDAAALAN), Managed Workplace Services (DaaS/Workplace-as-a-Service) (BPAEAIAA), Contract Administration Support (PO/Contract Compliance) (BPAAAJAE)

Keywords

• HR software solutions
• Compliance training
• Tax preparation software
• Professional publishing
• Talent management software

Headquarters

HQ city

Freiburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Software Solutions: Revenue generated from software products including HR management, talent management, and business management software solutions. The company offers various software products under brands like Haufe Lexware.
2. Training and Professional Services: Revenue from Haufe Akademie providing compliance training, awareness programs, and professional development services including the Compliance College digital solution.
3. Content and Publishing: Revenue from publishing content including professional literature, guides, and reference materials for business and HR professionals.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Haufe Group provides integrated B2B business and workplace solutions combining content, software, and training services. Its portfolio spans HR and business management software (Haufe-Lexware), compliance training (Haufe Compliance College), tax preparation software (Smartsteuer), professional publishing (Schäffer-Poeschel Verlag, Verlag für Controlling Wissen AG), and training/consulting (Haufe Akademie, Semigator). The company primarily serves enterprises and SMBs in German-speaking markets with localised, regulation-focused solutions.

Product overview

Haufe Group is a B2B provider of integrated business and workplace solutions, operating as a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core platform encompasses content, software, and training services, with key product lines including Haufe-Lexware (HR and business software), Haufe Akademie (training and compliance education including Haufe Compliance College), Smartsteuer (tax software), and SmartRecruiters (applicant tracking). The portfolio also includes Haufe Group Ventures for innovation, the Haufe Group Careers Portal for recruitment, and publishing through Schäffer-Poeschel Verlag. The company is headquartered in Freiburg, Germany, and operates across multiple countries including Spain and Romania.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Haufe Compliance College: Integrated digital solution for compliance training from Haufe Akademie
• Haufe Akademie
• Haufe Group Ventures
• Smartsteuer

Products and services

• Haufe-Lexware

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• talentsconnect AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationJoint controller partnership for operating the Haufe Group careers portal (JobShop). talentsconnect is responsible for website processing, cookies for analytics/statistics, and the 'Remember job' function. The partnership enables digital recruitment infrastructure and candidate relationship management.
• SmartRecruiters GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationApplicant tracking system provider used for efficient application management and organizational implementation of the recruitment process. Haufe Group uses SmartRecruiters as a data processor under Art. 28 GDPR for their applicant management system with CV parsing functionality.
• Educational Institutions (Universities and Berufsschulen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with universities and vocational schools for joint educational programs including apprenticeship offerings and Master's degree programs with company partners. Enables contact sharing with educational institutions for application processes.
• Haufe Group VenturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenture arm of Haufe Group that develops innovative products and supports sustainable business ideas. Provides investment and support for startups and new business ventures.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sage Group: UK-listed global provider of accounting, HR, and payroll software for SMBs. Comparable to Haufe-Lexware's SMB-focused accounting, payroll, and HR software offerings.
• Wolters Kluwer: Global provider of professional information, compliance, and regulatory content with strong DACH presence. Comparable to Haufe's publishing and compliance content arms (Schäffer-Poeschel, Compliance College).
• Workday: Global cloud enterprise platform for HR, finance, and talent management. Comparable at the enterprise tier of Haufe's HR and talent management software offerings, particularly for large German enterprises.
• LexisNexis (RELX): Global legal, regulatory, and compliance information provider. Comparable to Haufe's compliance content and risk-management offerings through its regulatory intelligence and professional publishing arms.
• SAP SuccessFactors: SAP's cloud HR and talent management suite with deep enterprise penetration in Germany. Directly comparable to Haufe's enterprise HR/talent management software offerings.

Others

• Springer Nature: Global academic and professional publisher with significant German operations. Comparable to Haufe's Schäffer-Poeschel Verlag and Verlag für Controlling Wissen AG publishing arms in professional reference content.

Regional players

• Springer Fachmedien (part of Springer Nature) / WEKA Media: WEKA Media is a German specialist publisher of professional reference works for HR, tax, compliance, and business topics. Closely comparable to Schäffer-Poeschel Verlag's niche professional publishing and to Haufe Akademie content domains.

Emerging players

• Personio: European cloud-native HR and people operations platform targeting SMB and mid-market. Direct challenger to Haufe's HR software portfolio, particularly for digital-first buyers in DACH.

Direct peers

• Buhl Data Service: German tax preparation and SMB accounting software provider (Taxman, WISO). Directly comparable to Haufe-Lexware's and Smartsteuer's SMB tax/accounting offerings in the German market.
• DATEV: German cooperative providing tax, accounting, HR, and business software to SMBs and mid-market. Closest direct peer to Haufe-Lexware, with comparable DACH footprint, recurring subscription model, and overlap in tax/accounting software.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/haufe.group.careers
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/haufe-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/haufe.group
• Xx.com/HaufeGroup

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Haufe Group