What ECOVIS KSO does

ECOVIS KSO Steuerberater + Rechtsanwälte GmbH & Co. KG is a Düsseldorf-headquartered German multidisciplinary professional services firm delivering integrated tax advisory, legal counsel, auditing, and business consulting to multinational corporations and German Mittelstand companies. The firm operates 10 German offices (Düsseldorf, Köln, Langenfeld, Oberhausen, Berlin, Wuppertal, Bad Oeynhausen, Bielefeld, Mülheim, and Essen) and accesses additional international reach through the global ECOVIS network of 16,000+ professionals across 90+ countries and 100+ German offices. Service coverage spans German and international tax law, transfer pricing, commercial and labor law, M&A advisory, succession planning, digitization, sustainability reporting, family office, and dedicated practices for healthcare professionals, real estate, e-commerce, non-profits, and start-ups.

The firm's technology stack pairs standard professional services infrastructure — DATEV for accounting workflows, DATEV Unternehmen Online for client document exchange, Oracle NetSuite for cloud ERP outsourcing, and HubSpot CRM — with Contonova, an in-house AI-powered accounting automation product. Contonova applies AI-driven document recognition and posting categorization, runs the booking workflow in five steps with one-click execution, and exports directly to DATEV. The firm holds TÜV Süd test mark certification (9000035654) and statutory professional liability insurance with HDI Versicherung AG.

ECOVIS KSO generates revenue primarily through professional services fees — hourly rates, fixed project fees, and multi-year retainers — supplemented by a subscription stream from Contonova, which is sold both inside the firm's own practice and externally via contonova.de to other tax advisory firms. The go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven: personalized interdisciplinary teams serve Mittelstand and enterprise clients, while cross-border mandates are coordinated through ECOVIS network referrals. Segmentation is horizontal across multiple industries and company-size tiers rather than concentrated in a single vertical.

Name

ECOVIS KSO

Legal name

ECOVIS KSO Steuerberater + Rechtsanwälte GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://ecovis-kso.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ECOVIS KSO is a Düsseldorf-headquartered German multidisciplinary advisory firm providing tax, legal, audit, business consulting, and family office services to Mittelstand and multinational clients across 10 German offices and the global ECOVIS network. It also offers Contonova, its proprietary AI-powered accounting software.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Tax and Advisory Services

NAICS

Offices of Certified Public Accountants (541211), Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services (54121), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

ESG Governance, Sustainability Reporting & Assurance Advisory (BPAHAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Advisory (BPAHAFAA), Enterprise Application License Advisory, Vendor Management & Optimization (BPAEAGAO)

Keywords

• Tax advisory services
• Legal advisory services
• Audit and assurance
• Business consulting
• AI bookkeeping software

Headquarters

HQ city

Düsseldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tax Advisory Services: Core tax advisory services for individuals and businesses, including tax planning, tax returns, international tax law, transfer pricing documentation, and tax compliance. Revenue generated through project fees, retainers, and ongoing advisory engagements.
2. Legal Advisory Services: Full-scope legal counsel including commercial law, labor law, international business law, M&A, data protection, and more. Billed via hourly fees, fixed project fees, or retainer arrangements.
3. Auditing Services: Statutory and voluntary auditing services for companies of various sizes, including audit of financial statements, internal audit support, and compliance auditing.
4. Business Consulting: Management consulting encompassing M&A advisory, company valuation, succession planning, digitization consulting, risk management, sustainability reporting, and more.
5. Contonova AI Product: AI-powered accounting software product developed by ECOVIS KSO, available for testing and use by accounting practices and their clients.
6. Family Office Services: Wealth and estate planning services for high-net-worth families and business owners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ECOVIS KSO is a German professional advisory firm delivering integrated tax advisory, legal counsel, auditing, and business consulting services to medium-sized (Mittelstand) and multinational enterprises. The firm additionally develops and sells Contonova, a proprietary AI-powered accounting automation software with DATEV integration, offered to other tax advisory practices.

Product overview

ECOVIS KSO is a German consulting firm offering a portfolio of advisory services through five core divisions — Tax Advisory (Steuerberatung), Legal Advisory (Rechtsberatung), Business Consulting (Unternehmensberatung), Auditing (Wirtschaftsprüfung), and Family Office — supplemented by Contonova, its proprietary AI-powered accounting automation product. Contonova is the firm\'s flagship technology product, seamlessly integrated with DATEV, that automates bookkeeping workflows for tax advisory firms using AI-driven document recognition and posting categorization. The advisory services span specialized practice areas including M&A, international tax, transfer pricing, sustainability reporting, global payroll, employer of record, risk management, and digitalization consulting. The firm operates as part of the ECOVIS international network with over 100 German offices and presence in more than 90 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Contonova: KI-Buchhaltung von Steuerberater:innen, für Steuerberater:innen. AI-powered accounting automation integrated with DATEV, developed by ECOVIS KSO.

Products and services

• Steuerberatung (Tax Advisory) Tax advisory services covering German and international tax law, corporate and personal taxation, international tax law, transfer pricing, tax compliance, and tax planning for medium-sized and large companies.
• Rechtsberatung (Legal Advisory) Legal advisory services including labor law, commercial and distribution law, insurance law, international commercial law, data protection, and M&A legal support for businesses.
• Unternehmensberatung (Business Consulting) Business consulting services including digitalization advisory, risk and compliance management, sustainability reporting, M&A advisory, company valuation, succession planning, and Employer of Record (EOR) services.
• Wirtschaftsprüfung (Auditing) Audit and assurance services including statutory auditing, voluntary auditing, internal audit support, and company valuation for German and international companies.
• Family Office Comprehensive wealth and succession planning services for high-net-worth families and business owners, including business succession, foundation advisory, and non-profit consulting.
• Contonova AI-powered accounting automation software developed in-house by ECOVIS KSO that automates financial bookkeeping in tax advisory firms. Seamlessly integrated with DATEV, it handles document recognition, posting categorization, and DATEV export in five steps with one-click execution, with transparent human decision-making on every AI suggestion. Offered to accounting practices and their clients.

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, notable, flagship and minor.

• ContonovacoreTechnology or IntegrationContonova is an AI-powered accounting automation product developed and offered by ECOVIS KSO Steuerberater + Rechtsanwälte GmbH & Co. KG. It automates financial bookkeeping with seamless DATEV integration, developed directly from practice needs and continuously improved through practitioner feedback. Contonova represents a proprietary digital product embedded within the firm's service ecosystem.
• Oracle NetSuitenotableTechnology or IntegrationECOVIS KSO offers Oracle NetSuite cloud-based ERP outsourcing as part of its service portfolio, combining ERP implementation and management with the firm's tax and business advisory expertise. This partnership enables the firm to serve clients seeking integrated business management software alongside professional advisory services.
• ECOVIS International NetworkflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerECOVIS KSO is the Germany operating entity of the global ECOVIS international advisory network, comprising over 16,000 professionals across 100+ offices in Germany and 90+ countries worldwide. The network enables cross-border advisory services, referrals, and coordinated client service across jurisdictions.
• DATEVcoreTechnology or IntegrationDATEV is Germany's leading accounting software provider used by tax advisors and their clients. ECOVIS KSO's Contonova product integrates seamlessly with DATEV, enabling automated booking processes with DATEV export. The firm also uses DATEV Unternehmen Online platform for digital document exchange with clients.
• HDI Versicherung AGminorOthersECOVIS KSO maintains the legally required professional liability insurance (Berufshaftpflichtversicherung) with HDI Versicherung AG, 30650 Hannover. The insurance coverage is global and meets the requirements of BRAO, StBerG, and WPO.
• sicdata Unternehmensberatung Tobias Erdmann e.K.minorOtherssicdata Unternehmensberatung Tobias Erdmann e.K. provides ECOVIS KSO's external Data Protection Officer (Datenschutzbeauftragter), as confirmed in the firm's privacy policy. Contact: Frau Cynthia Höhnel, Heiligenstock 34c, 42697 Solingen.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Crowe Germany: German operations of Crowe Global, providing audit, tax, and advisory. Overlaps with ECOVIS KSO in core services and target client size, but as a broader international network player.
• Grant Thornton Germany: German member firm of Grant Thornton International, offering audit, tax, and advisory to mid-market clients. Directly comparable service mix and Mittelstand focus, with greater international branding.
• BDO Germany: German arm of BDO Global, providing audit, tax, and advisory services to mid-market and large corporates. Overlaps heavily with ECOVIS KSO's service portfolio but operates as part of a much larger global network.
• Baker Tilly Germany: German arm of Baker Tilly International, providing audit, tax, and advisory services. Comparable in mid-market positioning and service breadth to ECOVIS KSO.
• Mazars Germany: German operations of Mazars, an international audit, tax, and advisory firm. Comparable to ECOVIS KSO across tax, audit, and consulting, but with global brand reach beyond ECOVIS's network.

Direct peers

• Ebner Stolz: German mid-tier advisory firm offering tax, legal, audit, and consulting to Mittelstand. Directly comparable in service breadth, Mittelstand focus, and Top-10 positioning alongside ECOVIS KSO.
• Rödl & Partner: German-origin interdisciplinary advisory firm (tax, legal, audit, consulting) deeply focused on Mittelstand and international clients. Closest direct peer to ECOVIS KSO in positioning, service mix, and target customer base.
• AWADO GmbH (Baker Tilly network): German mid-tier advisory and audit firm. Comparable to ECOVIS KSO as a regional Top-tier mid-market advisor with multi-disciplinary practice and Mittelstand focus.
• PKF Fasselt Schlage: German member of PKF International, offering tax, audit, legal, and consulting to mid-sized companies. Comparable regional mid-tier peer with similar Mittelstand client orientation.
• Flick Gocke Schaumburg: Leading German boutique tax and legal advisory firm serving large corporates and high-net-worth families. Comparable to ECOVIS KSO on the tax/legal side and a benchmark for premium fee rates in the German market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ecovis-kso

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about ECOVIS KSO