Accounting with DATEV: Receipts and Bank, No Media Breaks

Accounting with DATEV: An End to Media Breaks

In many businesses, accounting with DATEV still runs through detours: receipts pile up in folders or in the email inbox, account transactions are typed in by hand, and at the end of the month the accountant receives a stack of documents. Each of these steps costs time and creates room for error. Stella Workspace connects bank accounts, receipts, and the export to your accountant in one place — preparatory accounting, without constantly switching between programs.

One important note up front: Stella does not replace your accountant. The software takes over the ongoing groundwork and prepares your data so that the closing work can be handed over smoothly. No tax advice is provided here.

Receipts and Bank in One Place

Import Bank Transactions Automatically

Your account transactions are imported automatically through the bank account connection. You see incoming and outgoing payments up to date, without downloading CSV files or typing in figures. This forms the basis for every further step, because each transaction is available directly in the system.

Capture Receipts with OCR and AI Suggestions

You capture receipts by upload, photo, or directly from the email inbox. Text recognition (OCR) automatically reads the relevant fields — amount, date, supplier, invoice number. On this basis, Stella creates AI-assisted posting suggestions that you can review and accept or adjust. This turns a PDF or photo into a cleanly captured receipt in just a few seconds.

Match Receipt and Bank Transaction Automatically

Perhaps the most tedious part of traditional accounting is matching: which receipt belongs to which payment? Stella automatically suggests matching links between receipt and bank transaction — based on amount, date, supplier, and payment reference. Once a payment is linked to the matching receipt, the receipt counts as paid. This reduces open items and the typical scramble at the end of the month.

The DATEV Export for Your Accountant

For working with your accountant, Stella generates a DATEV export in EXTF format. It contains not only the posting records but, if desired, also the associated receipt images as a receipt package. Your accountant can read the data into their familiar DATEV environment — without having to handle receipts a second time or transfer figures manually.

The advantage works both ways: you deliver structured, complete data, and your accountant saves on queries and rework. Accounting with DATEV thus turns from a collection of paper into a clean handover — one export instead of a stack.

ELSTER Connection: VAT Return Directly from the Software

Businesses subject to VAT can submit their VAT return directly from Stella via the ELSTER connection. The key figures are derived from your captured postings, so you do not have to re-enter the return in a separate portal. Whether you use this route yourself or leave the submission to your accountant is up to you — both are possible.

Please note: deadlines, the tax rate, and the substantive accuracy of your return should, as things currently stand, always be coordinated with your accountant. Stella provides the data basis but does not replace a tax review.

Cash-Basis Accounting (EÜR)

For businesses that determine their profit via cash-basis accounting (Einnahmen-Überschuss-Rechnung, EÜR), Stella provides the EÜR based on the income and expenses captured on an ongoing basis. This gives you a realistic picture of your figures during the year — and not only at year-end.

GoBD-Compliant, Audit-Proof Archiving

All receipts and postings are archived in a GoBD-compliant and audit-proof manner. As things currently stand, this means: receipts remain stored unalterably, changes are traceable, and retention takes place in Germany. For tax audits and cooperation with your accountant, you thus have an orderly, documented basis — without a parallel paper archive.

Less Rework, a Clean Handover

The real benefit of digital accounting with DATEV lies in eliminating duplicate work:

• Account transactions are imported automatically instead of being typed in.
• Receipts are captured via OCR and provided with posting suggestions.
• Receipt and payment are matched automatically.
• The accountant receives a structured DATEV export including receipt images.
• The VAT return and EÜR arise from the same data — without a second data entry.

This keeps the professional responsibility with the accountant, while the time-consuming preliminary work largely runs automatically in the background. Receipts, bank, and postings are in one place, and the monthly handover becomes plannable instead of hectic.

Simplify Your Preparatory Accounting Now

See how receipts, bank, and DATEV export work together in your business. You will find all the features on the Accounting & Tax page. If you would like to experience the process with your own receipts, request a demo — we will show you the path from bank transaction to accountant without media breaks.