- turnover 2013: 150.4 million euros (+9.2 percent)
- audit-related consulting further expanded
- increasing importance of network Nexia International
Stuttgart, 2.4.2014: The auditing and consulting firm Ebner Stolz once again grew and increased its annual turnover to 150.4 million euros. This is an increase in turnover of more than 9 percent compared to the year before. In 2012, the turnover was 137.6 million euros. „Our strategy to focus consequently on mid-size companies is quite successful“, Dr. Wolfgang Russ, partner at Ebner Stolz, sums up. „All four business divisions - auditing, tax advice, legal advice and corporate consulting - developed positively. We grow together with our clients and have reached our ambitious turnover aim for 2013.“
Most important developments of the business year
The demand and thus the closures with mid-size companies increased noticeable in 2013. „Our awareness all over Germany increased considerably and we especially profited from our strong brand in the western part of Germany “, Dr. Wolfgang Russ says. „Ebner Stolz is thus well-positioned on the market.”
Ebner Stolz’ growth originated mostly from listed mid-size companies. The organization now audits 38 listed companies and is compared to its competitors on the 6th rank in Germany. SHW, Bastei Luebbe, Cybits, Indus Holding and First Sensor are five mandates which were gained in the stock market segment of the regulated market in 2013.
The banking sector made progress as well. The NF bank in Bremen is the newest client in this branch. Further strong rates of growth were achieved in the health and non-profit companies sector.
In addition, also the audit-related services grew. Important mandates were valuation reports for the squeeze out of the Douglas Holding AG, the former Demag Cranes AG (now Terex MHPS AG) as well as the Essener Elster Group SE, a former company part of the Ruhrgas AG. Auditors of the company worked additionally as experts for the procedures of the insolvent Hess AG and Qimonda AG.
Key figures at a glance
(all figures in MEUR) | 2013 | 2014 |
Total | 150.4 | 137.6 |
thereof: | ||
Audit | 46.3 | 42.1 |
Tax advice | 62.7 | 57.8 |
Management consultancy | 31.3 | 28.5 |
Legal advice | 10.1 | 9.2 |
Employees | 1,100 | 1,000 |
Growth in all business sectors
31 percent share of turnover comes from the sector of auditing. Especially the areas of IFRS, the audit-related services, the transaction consultancy - in particular due diligence and evaluation of the company - as well as IT revision grew.
With 42 percent, tax advice forms the biggest part of the turnover. “The cross-border consulting business, e.g. in the area of transfer prices, and the more than proportional rising tax defense advice in this segment as well as the consultancy concerning national and international taxable questions developed very well,” Prof. Dr. Ursula Ley, auditor, tax advisor and partner at Ebner Stolz, explains. “We profit particularly from the smooth and uncomplicated collaboration in our strong partner network Nexia International.” Very popular for mid-size companies was also the question how to organize succession, before the anticipated reform of the inheritance tax becomes applicable.
The corporate consultancy adds 20 percent to the total turnover. In the beginning of 2013, Ebner Stolz enlarged the interdisciplinary competence team restructuring through the merger with the Management Team AG to over 60 experts. Besides the support in restructuring, projects relating to yield enhancement and improvement of corporate management added to the growth in this sector.
The law advice division also grew strongly in its core areas under corporate law consulting, succession consulting as well as transaction consulting. The field of securities law was able to grow particularly well due to the consulting of the stock market launch of the publishing group Bastei Luebbe.
Good Start in 2014
Ebner Stolz aims to increase its turnover in the current business year to 160 million euros. „We expect a further positive business development, particularly in the sector of mid-size companies“, says Wolfgang Russ. „The development of the share of turnover in the four divisions will remain about the same.”
New presence is aimed to strengthen brand additionally
In October 2013, the auditing and consulting firm rebranded its company and is now called „Ebner Stolz“. After the fusion to Ebner Stolz Mönning Bachem in the beginning of 2009, the name was now shortened to stress the concision and differentiation of the brand. The promise “always there” explains the understanding of consultancy at Ebner Stolz. “Each client has its own contact person who knows him well, is initiative and also thinks beyond the immediate area of responsibility”, Russ emphasizes. “We understand the needs of employers because we are a company based on partnership and are entrepreneurs as well.”
Currently, Ebner Stolz promotes its company to be the ideal partner for mid-size companies nationwide with a campaign at airports and in business magazines and positions itself with the slogan “We can mid-size companies.”