Studienwerk der Steuerberater NRW

What Studienwerk der Steuerberater NRW does

Studienwerk der Steuerberater in NRW e.V. is a registered nonprofit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1963 that provides professional education and examination preparation exclusively for the German tax advisory profession in North Rhine-Westphalia. It operates three regional training centers in Münster (headquarters, since 2015), Köln (since 2023), and Dortmund, plus a fully digital Online-Campus built on the open-source ILIAS learning management system. Live online and hybrid sessions are delivered through Sabameeting and Webex, and the organization is the sole user of the original IQUL examination software for digital Steuerberaterprüfung simulation.

The product portfolio spans three pillars: (1) continuing-education seminars for licensed tax advisors and their staff (Berufsträgerseminare, Mitarbeiterseminare, BeraterNews Online, Mitarbeiter Basics Online, Praxiswissen Online, and the subscription-based STUDIENWERK Aktuell series); (2) preparatory Lehrgänge for four professional examinations — Steuerberaterprüfung (part-time weekend, full-time intensive, exam-week, oral, and repeater packages), Steuerfachwirtprüfung, Steuerfachangestelltenprüfung, and Fachassistent/in Lohn und Gehalt (added 2016); and (3) cooperative academic programs — a dual Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration & Taxation combining vocational tax-clerk training with university studies, a part-time Master of Arts Taxation with FH Münster (since 2020), and a berufsbegleitender Master in Betriebswirtschaftliche Beratung with WWU Münster.

Revenue is generated primarily through per-participant course and seminar fees, with one-time payments for seminars and intensive courses (120–330 EUR per session) and multi-year recurring payments for Master programs (14,500 EUR per program, with installment and alumni-discount options). Pricing varies by format and includes early-bird, group, and corporate rates; Bildungscheck 2.0 state funding is accepted. The customer base is broad and individually small — practicing tax advisors, tax-firm employees, apprentices, career changers, and dual students — with enterprise relationships limited to a network of training firms (Ausbildungskanzleien) hosting dual-study participants. The organization is member-supported and self-governed under the leadership of Thomas Gebhardt (authorized board) and Michael Puke (managing director), with no external equity backing, parent company, or subsidiaries.

Name

Studienwerk der Steuerberater NRW

Legal name

Studienwerk der Steuerberater in NRW e.V.

Website

https://studienwerk.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Studienwerk der Steuerberater in NRW is a 1963-founded nonprofit association providing tax-law seminars, exam preparation courses for Steuerberater/Steuerfachwirt/Steuerfachangestellte qualifications, and dual and Master-level degree programs for tax professionals and apprentices across North Rhine-Westphalia, delivered via three regional centers and an ILIAS-based Online-Campus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Tax Education and Exam Preparation

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Legal & Bar Exam Prep (Bar, MPRE, Paralegal) (EDANAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Certification & Exam Prep eLearning Modules (EDAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Tax advisor exam preparation
• Professional tax education
• Continuing professional development
• Tax training seminars
• Dual study tax programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Seminar and Course Fees: Primary revenue stream from professional development seminars and exam preparation courses for tax consultants, tax officers, and tax assistants. Fees vary by course type, duration, and format (online vs. in-person).
2. Master Degree Programs: Berufsbegleitender (part-time) Master of Arts Taxation program in cooperation with FH Münster; berufsbegleitender Masterstudiengang Betriebswirtschaftliche Beratung with WWU Münster. Fees of 14,500 EUR per program with installment payment options.
3. Dual Study Program: Dual study program combining vocational training as tax professional with Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration & Taxation, offered in cooperation with professional tax associations and vocational colleges.
4. Intensive Course Programs: Full-time intensive exam preparation courses and Klausurenwochen (exam practice weeks) generating significant enrollment fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Studienwerk delivers professional education and statutory exam preparation for the German tax advisory profession, offering Steuerberaterprüfung preparation courses, Steuerfachwirt/Steuerfachangestellten/Fachassistent Lohn und Gehalt prep, dual Bachelor and Master's degree programs, and recurring professional development seminars for licensed tax advisors and their staff. Offerings are delivered in-person across three NRW cities (Dortmund, Köln, Münster), fully online, and in hybrid format, with all digital learning consolidated on an ILIAS-based Online-Campus and live virtual sessions conducted via Sabameeting and Webex.

Product overview

Studienwerk der Steuerberater NRW e.V. is a professional education provider for the tax advisory sector, offering a multi-format learning ecosystem built around its ILIAS-based Online-Campus platform. The portfolio spans three pillars: (1) seminar programs for practicing tax advisors and their staff (BeraterNews Online, Mitarbeiter Basics Online, Praxiswissen Online, and STUDIENWERK Aktuell subscription series); (2) exam preparation courses for tax advisor, tax specialist, tax clerk, and payroll specialist qualifications — available as part-time weekend, full-time intensive, exam week, and oral exam formats across Dortmund, Cologne, and Münster or via hybrid/online delivery; and (3) dual and part-time academic degree programs (Dual Bachelor BWL & Steuern, Master of Arts Taxation with integrated exam prep, and Master of Arts Business Consulting with WWU Münster). All digital and hybrid offerings are delivered through the Online-Campus LMS.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lehrgang zur Steuerberaterprüfung (Tax Advisor Exam Preparation) Comprehensive preparation program for the German Steuerberaterprüfung (tax advisor examination), available in multiple formats: part-time Saturday classes, full-time intensive, Klausurenwochen (exam practice weeks), oral exam preparation (Lehrgang Mündliche), and an online package for exam repeaters. Delivered in-person in Dortmund, Köln, and Münster, in hybrid format, or fully online through the Online-Campus.
• Lehrgang Steuerfachwirtprüfung (Tax Specialist Exam Preparation) Preparation programs for the Steuerfachwirtprüfung (tax specialist examination), including part-time online courses and intensive formats, for experienced tax professionals seeking advanced certification and progression to management roles.
• Lehrgang Steuerfachangestelltenprüfung (Tax Clerk Exam Preparation) Preparation programs for the Steuerfachangestelltenprüfung (tax clerk examination), offered as full-time intensive courses (in-person), online intensive courses, and part-time accompanying programs aligned with vocational training.
• Fachassistent/in Lohn und Gehalt (Payroll Specialist Exam Preparation) Preparation program for the Fachassistent/in Lohn und Gehalt (payroll and wage tax specialist) examination, offered as a part-time online course since 2016 for professionals seeking specialized certification in payroll tax.
• Seminare für Berufsträger (Seminars for Licensed Tax Advisors) Professional development seminars for licensed tax advisors (Berufsträger) covering current tax law developments, case studies from BFH and Finanzgerichte, and practice-oriented topics in Bilanzsteuerrecht, Kapitalgesellschaften, Personenunternehmen, Umwandlungssteuerrecht, Unternehmensverkauf, and Vermögensübertragungen. Delivered in-person and online.
• Seminare für Mitarbeiter (Seminars for Tax Firm Staff) Continuing education seminars for tax firm employees covering foundational and advanced topics across Einkommensteuer, Lohnsteuer, Umsatzsteuer, Betriebsprüfung, Kassenführung, Bilanzsteuerrecht, Kapitalgesellschaften, and Personenunternehmen. Available in-person and as online seminars with recordings.
• BeraterNews Online Bi-monthly online seminar series (60–90 minutes each) keeping tax professionals updated on recent legislation, court rulings, and administrative directives across income tax, VAT, and corporate law.
• Mitarbeiter Basics Online Online seminar series providing comprehensive overviews of tax disciplines (income tax, VAT, accounting, wage tax, corporate tax) with up to four sessions per tax area, available as live sessions or recorded versions for tax firm employees.
• Praxiswissen Online Online seminar focusing on practice-oriented topics and current legal changes, with specific courses on VAT, accounting, and income tax for tax firm employees.
• STUDIENWERK Aktuell Subscription-based seminar series for licensed tax advisors (Berufsträger) and their staff providing regular updates on tax law developments throughout the year.
• Dualer Bachelorstudiengang BWL und Steuern Dual, apprenticeship-integrated study program combining vocational training as a Steuerfachangestellte/r with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Taxation, offered in cooperation with FH Münster and vocational colleges (Kuniberg Berufskolleg Recklinghausen, Rudolf-Rempel-Berufskolleg Bielefeld, Hansa-Berufskolleg Münster, Hubertus-Schwartz-Berufskolleg Soest) and a network of Ausbildungskanzleien across NRW.
• Master of Arts Taxation (inkl. Steuerberaterlehrgang) Part-time postgraduate program offered jointly with FH Münster, combining Master of Arts in Taxation studies with integrated Steuerberaterprüfung preparation. Participants attend weekend lectures in Dortmund, Cologne, or Münster plus FH modules, achieving both the academic master's degree and the Steuerberaterprüfung qualification simultaneously. Total fee €14,500 with installment options.
• Berufsbegleitender Masterstudiengang Betriebswirtschaftliche Beratung (WWU Münster) Part-time Master of Arts program in Business Consulting offered in partnership with WWU Münster (Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät), designed for tax advisors and professionals seeking advanced management and consulting competencies. Includes five in-person modules and one e-learning module. Total fee €14,500 with a €2,000 alumni discount for Studienwerk graduates.

Quantifiable outcome

• Participant testimonials report exam success and career advancement after completing Steuerberater preparation programs

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Fachhochschule MünstercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Academic partner for the Master of Arts Taxation program (since 2020) combining Steuerberaterprüfung preparation with master's degree. FH Münster provides quality control and awards the academic title.
• Steuerberaterkammer Westfalen-Lippe K.d.ö.R.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKooperationspartner for the dual study program 'Betriebswirtschaft und Steuern', providing professional certification and academic degree integration.
• Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (WWU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for the berufsbegleitender Masterstudiengang 'Betriebswirtschaftliche Beratung'. WWU Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät awards the master's degree. Studienwerk alumni receive 2,000 EUR cooperation discount.
• Kuniberg Berufskolleg RecklinghausensupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational college partner for the dual, ausbildungsintegriert study program combining Berufsausbildung zur/zum Steuerfachangestellten with Bachelorstudium Betriebswirtschaft & Steuern.
• Rudolf-Rempel-Berufskolleg BielefeldsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational college partner for the dual study program in the Bielefeld region.
• Hansa-Berufskolleg MünstersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational college partner for the dual study program in the Münster region.
• Hubertus-Schwartz-Berufskolleg SoestsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational college partner for the dual study program in the Soest region.
• IQULsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing original examination software for digital tax consultant exam preparation. Studienwerk is the only provider using IQUL's original examination software.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• IHK (Industrie- und Handelskammer): Network of German Chambers of Commerce (including IHK Köln and other NRW chambers) offering vocational training, professional development courses, and certifications including some tax-related programs. Comparable as a regional professional education provider serving the NRW market.

Direct peers

• Haufe Akademie: Major German professional education provider (part of Haufe Group) offering tax, legal, and management training nationwide. Directly comparable as a tax advisor exam prep and continuing education provider with multi-state reach.
• NWB Verlag (NWB Akademie): Leading German tax law publisher with NWB Akademie offering tax professional training, exam preparation, and continuing education. Highly comparable in target audience (tax advisors) and product offering (preparation courses and seminars).
• Verlag C.H. Beck: Major Munich-based German legal and tax publisher offering professional training programs and seminars for tax and legal professionals. Comparable as a publishing-based professional education provider serving the same tax/legal community.
• Erich Schmidt Verlag: Berlin-based German publisher specializing in tax, business law, and labor law with seminar and continuing education programs. Comparable as a specialized tax/business law publisher offering professional education to tax advisors.
• Verlag Franz Vahlen: Munich-based German publisher specializing in tax and business law with professional training offerings. Comparable as a tax-focused publisher with seminar and education programs for the same target audience.
• Verlag Dr. Otto Schmidt: Cologne-based German tax law publisher with seminar and training offerings for tax professionals. Operates in the same tax professional education space with a comparable focus on tax law content and continuing education.

Broad incumbents

• Springer Fachmedien: Major German professional publisher with tax and business law titles, professional magazines, and training programs. Operates in adjacent tax professional education space with a broader portfolio across many professional verticals.
• DATEV eG: Germany's largest IT and consulting cooperative serving tax advisors, accountants, and lawyers with software, data, and training services. Operates DATEV-Akademie for professional education and competes broadly across the tax professional ecosystem, though its core offering is software rather than exam prep.
• Wolters Kluwer Deutschland: Global legal, tax, and regulatory information services provider with significant German operations. Offers tax software, content, and professional education that overlaps with Studienwerk's training and reference offerings, though at much greater scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/studienwerkdersteuerberater
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/studienwerk-der-steuerberater-nrw
• Instagraminstagram.com/studienwerkdersteuerberater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Studienwerk der Steuerberater NRW