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About us
KONLUS is a medium-sized auditing, tax consulting and management consulting firm. KONLUS was founded in 1994 as a partnership of auditors and tax advisors by the merger of the individual practices of partners Carl Erik Koehler WP StB, Horst Neumann VBp, StB and Helmut Hering WP, StB, and was built up and expanded over the following years.
- KONLUS has always reacted proactively to changing conditions, particularly globalization and digitalization.
- In view of the constantly advancing digitalization and increasing complexity of the IT systems used in companies, IT AUDIT GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft was founded in 2003, specializing in the auditing of IT systems and the certification of outsourced services (data centers) and accounting-related software. From the very beginning, IT AUDIT has also supported other auditors and auditing companies with the know-how of IT AUDIT in their audits.
Since the firm was founded, the focus has not only been on providing advice throughout Germany but also internationally. As early as 1997, KONLUS became a member of a European association of independent auditors and tax advisors. In 2008, KONLUS further expanded its international connections and became a member of the international association PrimeGlobal, a worldwide leading and award-winning cooperation of internationally oriented auditing, tax consulting and management consulting firms. Our international team has many years of experience and is optimally networked for our clients within the PrimeGlobal network.
- For over 30 years now, KONLUS has concentrated on its core competencies in tax consultancy, auditing and management consultancy
- KONLUS currently has two offices in Bensberger Schloss-Straße and in Cologne's Mediapark with a total of 65 employees, including 14 auditors and tax consultants, some of whom have multiple qualifications, and 45 other professionally qualified employees.
Who do we advise?
Our clients include companies from industry, trade and the service sector. We offer our services in particular to medium-sized companies, freelancers and private individuals. All partners have many years of experience in providing comprehensive advice to family businesses.
- In the service sector, our industry focus is on IT and software consulting, financial and personnel services, media consulting, marketing, market research, architectural and engineering consulting, legal, patent and tax consulting, travel companies and, last but not least, all medical professions and care centers.
- In the area of industrial production, the focus is on mechanical engineering, construction, stone and earth, textile and plastics processing and the food industry.
- We have experience in both wholesale and retail, particularly in the areas of steel, building materials, department stores and wholesale markets as well as the medical and pharmacy trade.
- A further focus of our activities lies in the area of support for non-profit and public bodies, particularly in the learning and disability sector.
- Nationally, our area of activity covers the whole of Germany.
- Thanks to our membership of the international PrimeGlobal network, we are able to support our clients with regard to their business and private activities in over 112 countries in cooperation with our international colleagues there.
Consulting concept
Since the firm was founded, we have consistently pursued a holistic consulting approach.
It is characterized by the following components:
Integrated consulting as responsible overarching cooperation
- Far-reaching decisions in the corporate and private sectors depend on a detailed and, above all, interdisciplinary analysis of the relevant decision-making parameters. An overall view is always required that includes the areas of law, tax and business management on an equal footing and thus ensures that all decisive aspects are really taken into account.
- As a further component of our integrated advisory service, it is always important to us, on the basis of mutual trust, to include any effects on the private or family sphere in our consideration when advising our clients as managing directors, entrepreneurs or shareholders. This is particularly important in the case of business or private asset succession and the transfer of business or private assets abroad.
- In a time of constantly changing markets, increasingly complex regulations in tax and commercial law and an increasing speed of communication, the economic efficiency of advice can only be guaranteed by comprehensive cooperation between specialists at both the professional and the relevant personal levels.
Individual and personal advice
- We consider it a particular challenge and an important prerequisite for trustworthy advice to place the goals, wishes and individual interests of our clients at the center of our advice. This means that we take the time to listen to our clients, discuss their personal situation with them and find solutions that are in line with their interests and, above all, individualized.
- Personal support from partners and experienced employees is a matter of course for us.
Independence and seriousness
- Independence and reliability are the basis for a lasting cooperation based on trust and responsibility.
- As an independent consultant, we base our recommendations exclusively on objective criteria and thus offer the necessary objectivity.
- As reputable advisors, we are taken seriously in business dealings and can therefore represent our clients' interests with the necessary vigor.
Professional and personal competence
Our work is based on the professional and personal expertise of our partners and employees.
- Our professional expertise is characterized by dual qualifications (auditor/tax consultant), additional qualifications in special fields and many years of professional and consulting experience.
- The partners are supported by a team of carefully selected and well-trained employees.
- Together, we are able to guide our clients safely through the ever faster changing and increasingly dense laws and changes.
- Continuous training of our partners and employees ensures that our team always meets the requirements of our clients.
- In addition to professional skills, methodological/technical and personal skills are just as important.
- In the respective advisory team, we apply the necessary commitment, careful analysis and creativity to our clients' goals and wishes in order to develop appropriate and practicable solutions.
- We represent the interests of our clients in an appropriate manner, if necessary with vigor and the necessary sovereignty vis-à-vis third parties.
The team
Affiliated companies
KONLUS is a medium-sized auditing company operating nationwide. It is affiliated to the partnership KONLUS Wirtschaftsprüfer und Steuerberater based in Bergisch Gladbach.
We offer the following auditing services through KONLUS GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft:
- Audits of annual financial statements according to HGB and IFRS
- Special audits, due diligence, IT audits
- KONLUS-Valuation Company valuation, expert opinion
- Audit-related services
- Fiduciary activities
KONLUS GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft naturally participates in the quality control system in accordance with § 57a WPO and therefore has the necessary certificate of participation.
- Checking the compliance and security of IT systems
- Assessment and testing of data migrations and release changes, implementation of ERP risk checks (brief analysis of selected risk areas in standard software systems)
- Compliance with legal requirements when using archiving and document management systems (DMS)
- Implementation of certifications such as software certification in accordance with IDW PS 880
- Certification of call centers, service providers or electronic billing processes
- Valuation of IT systems (including software) as isolated intangible assets or as part of an overall company valuation
- Review of the IT area as part of due diligence audits
- Assistance with outsourcing and co-sourcing of internal auditing as well as organizational support in setting up an IT audit (IT audit)
- Support with issues relating to IT risk management, IT organization, IT security services and IT strategy
Historical development
KONLUS opens a branch "Im MediaPark" in Cologne.
KONLUS is concentrating on its core competencies in tax consultancy, auditing and management consultancy. The lawyers who previously worked for KONLUS will continue to work in their own practices.
Since then, the firm has been managed by 5 partners:
Carl Erik Koehler Certified Public Accountant, Tax Consultant, CVA
Horst Neumann sworn auditor, tax consultant
Birgit Koehler Tax consultant
Alexander Neu Certified public accountant, tax consultant
Christoph Kneip Certified Public Accountant, Tax Consultant, CPA (USA)
KONLUS employs around 45 people.
The success of KONLUS makes it possible to keep the firm open to first-class advisors and takes on five new partners.
In November, KONLUS expands its international connections and becomes a member of PrimeGlobal, a global association of independent auditing and tax consulting firms.
In August, our partner Dipl. Kfm. Carl Erik Koehler, auditor and tax consultant, is appointed Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA). As a result of this professional specialization, KONLUS expands the area of company valuation and value-oriented consulting as one of its core areas of expertise.
In October, the partnership celebrates its 10th anniversary.
In April, Josef Sauerwald retires from the firm as an active partner. In May 2004, he is awarded the Federal Cross of Merit for his services to the profession. Josef Sauerwald remains active as President of the Bundesverband der Steuerberater e.V. and the Verein der Steuerberater, Wirtschaftsprüfer und vereidigten Buchprüfer Köln e.V.. He will continue to be available to the firm as a consultant.
At the end of the year, Helmut Hering will leave the firm as an active partner. He remains associated with KONLUS and continues to work as a consultant.
Also at the end of the year, Ingo Heuel, lawyer, tax consultant and tax law specialist, joins the firm as a further partner. The firm now has 6 partners and 48 employees.
In October, IT AUDIT GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft , which specializes in auditing IT systems, is founded.
At the end of the year, the firm had 6 partners and 45 employees.
In the fall of 2002, KONLUS GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft is founded.
At the end of the year, the firm had 6 partners and around 40 employees.
In March 2001, Andreas Schmincke, auditor and tax consultant, joins the firm as a new partner. At the same time, the firm merges with the individual practice of Josef Sauerwald, auditor and tax consultant, who has also been running an individual practice in Bensberg for 25 years. The partnership is given the name "KONLUS" and a new logo.
The law firm moves with the then existing 3 offices into new modern offices in the Schloss-Forum-Bensberg in Schloss-Strasse 20. The number of employees increases to 25 at the end of 1998.
In March, Dr. Jörg Luxem, lawyer and tax consultant, joins the firm as a further partner. The firm employs 20 people at the end of the year.
CURATOR Treuhand- und Steuerberatungsgesellschaft , established by Horst Neumann before the firm was founded, becomes a cooperation partner.
The firm is founded in Bensberg by Carl Erik Koehler, auditor and tax consultant, Horst Neumann, sworn auditor and tax consultant and Helmut Hering, auditor and tax consultant, who also had a sole practice in Bensberg. The firm starts with 3 partners and 10 employees.