| IDW | WPK | |
|---|---|---|
| Membership | Voluntary | Mandatory |
| No. of members | 13,343 | 17,154 |
| Institute staff | 100 | 121 |
| Date of establishment | 1932 | 1961 |
| Local branches | 7 Landesgruppen (regional groups) | 6 |
| Subject to public oversight | No | Yes |
| Oversight authority | Audit Oversight Commission (APAS) | Audit Oversight Commission (APAS) |
| Involvement in Qualification and Market Access | IDW | WPK |
|---|---|---|
| Initial education | Yes | Yes |
| Examination | No | Yes |
| Approval and registration | No | Yes |
| Continued Professional Development | No | Yes |
| Activities | IDW | WPK |
|---|---|---|
| Standard setting | Yes (auditing standards) | Yes (ethical standards) |
| Quality assurance | No (APAS&WPK) | Yes (only audits of non-PIEs, PIEs: APAS) |
| Disciplinary measures | No (APAS&WPK) | Yes (only audits of non-PIEs, PIEs: APAS) |
| Professions | Auditor (Wirtschaftsprüfer) | Tax consultant (Steuerberater) |
|---|---|---|
| Professional body | IDW WPK | Deutscher Steuerberaterverband, Bundesverband der Steuerberater etc. (non-Accountancy Europe members) |
| Protected title | Yes | Yes |
| Reserved activities | Statutory audit and tax advice | Tax advice |
| Included authorisations | Comprises the authorisation to provide tax services without any restriction | All accountancy services, except statutory audit |
| Auditor | Tax consultant | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulated profession | Yes | Yes |
| Supervision | Yes | Yes |
| Competent authority | Auditor Oversight Commission (APAS) | Regional Steuerberaterkammer |
| Auditor | Tax consultant | |
|---|---|---|
| No. of qualified professionals | 15,000 | 80,000 |
| No. of new trainees per year | 500 | 2,000 |
| No. of people taking the professional examination | Information not available | Information not available |
| No. of people passing the professional examination | Information not available | Information not available |
| Auditor | Tax consultant | |
|---|---|---|
| General initial education steps (without possible exemptions) | • Academic degree (bachelor degree or master degree) • Auditing practice: 4 years with bachelor degree, 3 years with master degree • Auditor exam | • Academic degree (bachelor degree or master degree) • Tax advice practice: 3 years with bachelor degree, 2 years with master degree • Tax advisor exam |
| Auditor | Tax consultant | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration required | Yes | Yes |
| Competent authority for registration | Wirtschaftsprüferkammer (chamber) | Regional Steuerberaterkammer (chamber) |
| Cost of appointment/registration | 230€ | 150€ |
| Oath required | Yes | Yes |
| Insurance required | Yes | Yes |
| Professional address required | Yes (establishment in the EU; in case of establishment in third countries additional requirements) | Yes (establishment in any country) |