H/W/S
HWS is a privately held German professional services firm delivering integrated tax advisory, auditing, legal, and M&A services to medium-sized companies, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals across 20+ southern German locations, with international reach via the Praxity alliance.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1923
- HeadquartersStuttgart, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What H/W/S does
HWS is an independent German professional services firm headquartered in Stuttgart that delivers an integrated portfolio of tax advisory, statutory and voluntary auditing, legal services, and adjacent consulting (M&A and due diligence, company valuation, transfer pricing, succession planning, crypto/blockchain advisory, start-up consulting, and international tax structuring) to medium-sized companies, high-net-worth individuals, liberal professionals, start-ups, and international clients, particularly Japanese subsidiaries in Germany. The firm operates as a partnership-led network of 38 wholly-owned group entities spanning 20+ physical offices across southern Germany — including Stuttgart, Reutlingen, Tübingen, Ulm, Sindelfingen, Karlsruhe, Heilbronn, Korb, Remshalden, Nürtingen, Heppenheim, Landau, and others — supplemented by international cooperation offices in Zurich (Wisler Legal partnership), Milan (HWS Italy), and Shanghai (Zhongxi CPAs). Founded in 1923 by Albert Haussmann, one of Germany's first auditors, the firm traces its heritage to a century of continuous operation in southwest Germany.
The technology backbone centers on the DATEV accounting software ecosystem, GoBD-compliant digital document management, XRechnung e-invoicing standard, and the proprietary divedo procedural documentation platform (delivered through divedo GmbH). Multiple HWS entities hold DATEV "Digitale Kanzlei" certifications for digitalization excellence; HWS Ulm holds DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 quality certification. The firm also operates specialized subsidiaries including SNIT GmbH & Co. KG for IT services and ERP integration, and HWS Crypto GmbH for blockchain and NFT tax advisory. Integration of new acquisitions follows a standardized quality and digitalization framework propagated across the group.
Commercially, HWS runs an enterprise field sales motion with partner-led relationships at each location, pricing structured around the statutory Steuerberatergebührenverordnung (StBVV) fee schedule for tax work and project-based or flat-rate fees for valuation and M&A engagements. Annual recurring engagements dominate tax compliance and audit revenue, while project work anchors M&A and valuation practices. Marketing combines a comprehensive bilingual website, the tax-i client newsletter, expert tax-online articles, video content, LinkedIn/XING/Instagram presence, ForumW event sponsorship, and published Fachartikel/Fachbücher. International work is delivered through the Praxity Global Alliance (access to 120+ countries) and direct partnerships with HLS Global Group (Japanese Desk) and country-specific cooperation partners.
H/W/S firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- H/W/S
- Legal name
- HWS Holding Verwaltungs GmbH
- Website
- https://hws.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1923
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- HWS is a privately held German professional services firm delivering integrated tax advisory, auditing, legal, and M&A services to medium-sized companies, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals across 20+ southern German locations, with international reach via the Praxity alliance.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
H/W/S industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Accounting and Advisory Services
- NAICS
- Other Accounting Services (541219), Management Consulting Services (54161), Management of Companies and Enterprises (551)
- SIC
- Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Securities Law (BPAHAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Family Office Administration & Operations (Accounting, Reporting, Payroll) (FSAAADAD)
Keywords
Where H/W/S is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stuttgart
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices25 records
Markets served
H/W/S business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tax Advisory Services: Ongoing tax consulting and compliance services for companies and individuals, including tax return preparation, tax optimization, and tax planning. Recurring revenue model based on annual engagements and ongoing advisory relationships.
- Audit Services: Statutory and voluntary auditing services including annual financial statements, group audits, and special audits. Fees based on scope and complexity.
- Legal Advisory: Legal consulting services including tax law, corporate law, employment law, succession planning, and litigation support.
- M&A and Transaction Advisory: Company valuations, due diligence reviews, transaction support, and restructuring advisory. Project-based engagements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Tax consulting based on StBVV fee schedule |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Multi-year contract | Company valuation services with transparent pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
H/W/S product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HWS provides integrated tax consulting, statutory and voluntary auditing, and legal advisory services to medium-sized companies, entrepreneurs, and private individuals across 20+ offices in southern Germany. The firm supplements its core professional services with M&A advisory, business valuation, transfer pricing, succession planning, start-up consulting, crypto/blockchain advisory, and digital solutions including the proprietary divedo procedural documentation platform. It is a privately held partnership founded in 1923, employing 700+ multidisciplinary experts including tax advisors, auditors, and lawyers.
Product overview
HWS is a multi-office German accounting and advisory firm offering an integrated portfolio of core services (tax consulting, auditing, and legal advice) combined with specialized add-on modules (business valuation, M&A advisory, crypto consulting, startup support, international services, and procedural documentation via divedo). The firm operates as a network of independently branded local entities under a unified group structure, augmented by specialized subsidiaries including SNIT for IT services and divedo GmbH for procedural documentation. Tax-i serves as the firm's client newsletter brand. Services are delivered with a digital-first approach using DATEV software and GoBD-compliant processes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SNIT: IT service provider specializing in digitalization and IT consulting for tax firms and medium-sized companies
- divedo
Products and services
- Steuerberatung (Tax Consulting)
- Wirtschaftsprüfung (Auditing)
- Rechtsberatung (Legal Services)
- Beraten (Business Consulting)
- divedo (Procedural Documentation)
- Kryptoberatung (Crypto Consulting)
- Nachfolgeberatung & Testamentsvollstreckung (Succession & Will Execution)
- Start-up Beratung (Start-up Consulting)
- Internationale Kompetenzen (International Services)
- M&A-Prozesse & Due Diligence
- Transfer Pricing
- Unternehmensbewertung (Business Valuation)
- BHKW Beratung (CHP Consulting)
- SNIT (IT Services)
- tax-i Newsletter
Quantifiable outcome
- Recognized among Germany's best tax advisors by Handelsblatt ranking with all locations awarded
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use H/W/S
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
H/W/S technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature3 records
H/W/S partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Praxity Global Alliance LtdcoreWorld's largest alliance of independent auditing and consulting firms, providing HWS with access to expertise in over 120 countries. Enables international project support for clients through cooperation with renowned Praxity members worldwide.
- Zhongxi Certified Public Accountants ShanghaicoreCooperation partner in Shanghai specializing in tax consulting, accounting and auditing according to Chinese law. Supports HWS clients with establishing businesses in China, tax returns, bookkeeping, commercial register registrations, and dealing with Chinese authorities.
- HLS Global Group (Hotta Liesenberg Saito LLP)corePartnership combining HWS regional knowledge with HLS international experience. Provides customized solutions for multinational companies and Japanese subsidiaries in Germany, including M&A advisory, US GAAP/IFRS reporting, international taxation, and transfer pricing.
- Wisler Legal (HWS Switzerland)coreLaw firm in Zurich providing legal services including aliens law, company law, contract law, real estate law, and private international law. Complements HWS services with legal expertise for international clients in Switzerland.
- HWS Italy (Marco Pallucchini Wrede)minorLegal advice in Milan focusing on corporate and commercial disputes, transactions, contract drafting and compliance. Primarily supports clients from fashion, furniture, software, IT and advertising industries with ties to German-speaking markets.
- DATEVcoreLeading German accounting software provider. HWS offices use DATEV for financial accounting, payroll accounting, and digital document management. Multiple HWS entities certified as 'Digitale Kanzlei' by DATEV.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
H/W/S competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Warth & Klein Grant Thornton: Warth & Klein Grant Thornton AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft is a German mid-tier audit/tax firm with strong regional presence. It competes with HWS for Mittelstand clients in overlapping geographies.
Direct peers
- BDO Germany: BDO AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft is the German member of the BDO global mid-tier accounting network. It offers integrated audit, tax, and advisory services to mid-market German companies, directly competing with HWS in the same client segment.
- Rödl & Partner: Rödl & Partner is a German-origin mid-market audit, tax, and legal advisory firm with comparable integrated service offering and a stronger international footprint. It competes with HWS for Mittelstand clients requiring cross-border advisory.
- Baker Tilly Germany: Baker Tilly GmbH & Co. KG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft is the German member of Baker Tilly International, providing audit, tax, and advisory services to mid-sized companies. Comparable to HWS in size, service mix, and target client base.
- Mazars Germany: Mazars GmbH & Co. KG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft Steuerberatungsgesellschaft is the German member of the Mazars international mid-tier network, offering audit, tax, and advisory services to mid-sized companies with a similar integrated model to HWS.
- Grant Thornton Germany: Grant Thornton Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft is the German member of Grant Thornton International, providing audit, tax, and advisory services to mid-market clients. It competes with HWS in the same Mittelstadt segment with similar international network affiliation.
- PKF International (Germany): PKF Fasselt Schlage is part of the PKF international mid-tier accounting network, offering audit, tax, and advisory services in Germany. Comparable mid-tier positioning to HWS with international network access for cross-border mandates.
- Ebner Stolz: Ebner Stolz is one of the largest independent German mid-market audit and tax advisory firms with comparable size (~2,000 employees), similar Mittelstand client focus, and integrated tax/audit/legal/M&A services. It is the closest direct competitor to HWS in the German independent mid-tier segment.
Broad incumbents
- KPMG Germany: KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft is a Big 4 firm in Germany, dominating enterprise audit, tax, and advisory work. While serving a different scale of client primarily, it competes with HWS for upper-mid-market and international mandates.
- Deloitte Germany: Deloitte GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft is a Big 4 firm offering the full spectrum of audit, tax, legal, consulting, and advisory services. It competes with HWS for premium German Mittelstand and enterprise clients, particularly on international mandates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
H/W/S social profiles
Digital presenceH/W/S compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
H/W/S financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
H/W/S leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles24 records
H/W/S subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries43 records
H/W/S funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
H/W/S M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about H/W/S
What does H/W/S do?
HWS provides integrated tax consulting, statutory and voluntary auditing, and legal advisory services to medium-sized companies, entrepreneurs, and private individuals across 20+ offices in southern Germany. The firm supplements its core professional services with M&A advisory, business valuation, transfer pricing, succession planning, start-up consulting, crypto/blockchain advisory, and digital solutions including the proprietary divedo procedural documentation platform. It is a privately held partnership founded in 1923, employing 700+ multidisciplinary experts including tax advisors, auditors, and lawyers.
Is H/W/S a public or private company?
H/W/S is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was H/W/S founded?
H/W/S was founded in 1923. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is H/W/S based?
H/W/S is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does H/W/S make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tax Advisory Services are the primary driver. The others are audit Services, legal Advisory and M&A and Transaction Advisory.
Who are H/W/S's main competitors?
Warth & Klein Grant Thornton is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are BDO Germany, Rödl & Partner, Baker Tilly Germany, Mazars Germany, Grant Thornton Germany, PKF International (Germany) and Ebner Stolz. Broad incumbents are KPMG Germany and Deloitte Germany.
Does H/W/S have an API?
No public API is recorded for H/W/S.
What industry is H/W/S in?
H/W/S's product category is Accounting and Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAAAI, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Securities Law, with a secondary code of FSAAADAD, Family Office Administration & Operations (Accounting, Reporting, Payroll). Its NAICS code is 541219 and its SIC code is 8111.