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Geschäftsperson im Anzug vor einer digitalen Collage aus LKWs, Containerterminals und Datenpunkten

Tax and Audit Services for Logistics and Transportation

When margins are tight, decisions have to be spot-on.

Logistics companies move a lot—and at the same time must deal with high cost pressures, complex structures, and increasing demands on processes and compliance.

For management and the CFO, it is therefore crucial to identify financial trends early on, make sound assessments of investments, and keep tax and organizational risks under control.

We support medium-sized freight forwarders, transportation, and logistics companies with a consulting approach that integrates tax, auditing, accounting, payroll, and business management issues.

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Your Contact Person

[Translate to Englisch:]

Christoph Kalmbach

Partner, Auditor, Tax Consultant

Stuttgart
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Tax Consulting

Auditing

Accounting

Payroll

Corporate Finance

Keeping an Eye on the Economic Leverage Points

Planning Investments and Financing with a Long-Term Perspective

New vehicles, warehouse capacity, automation, or IT systems require significant investments. In addition to financing, liquidity, tax implications, and accounting treatment also play a role.

We assist with the evaluation of investments, financing structures, and financial projections, and jointly assess the impact on earnings, the balance sheet, and liquidity.

Even for major changes such as acquisitions, equity investments, or business succession, our specialists provide support with valuation, due diligence, financing, and tax structuring.

A Look at International Sales Tax

Mapping International Transactions in a Tax-Compliant Manner

Cross-border transportation and supply chains can quickly give rise to sales tax obligations in multiple countries.

These include issues such as the place of supply, reverse charge, chain and triangular transactions, foreign VAT registrations, and import VAT.

It’s not just the tax assessment that matters. The correct treatment must also be properly implemented in invoicing, accounting, and ERP processes.

Through the international PKF Global Network, we engage local experts as needed and centrally coordinate cross-border issues.

More About Sales Tax Consulting

Generating data that can be used for management purposes

Especially when margins are tight, it’s not enough to wait until the annual financial statements are finalized to see how the business has performed. We help you structure your accounting, reporting, and planning processes so that management and the finance department have a reliable basis for decision-making.

Depending on your needs, this includes:

  • digital financial accounting and financial statement preparation processes
  • monthly reporting and business analytics
  • Planning and cash flow projections
  • Interfaces to ERP and source systems
  • Support with annual and consolidated financial statements

 

We can either take over these processes entirely or work in conjunction with the company’s existing finance structures.

Auditing with an Understanding of the Business Model

Investments, financing, leasing, corporate groups, and international structures also shape the financial reporting of logistics companies.

Our audit teams audit annual and consolidated financial statements in accordance with the German Commercial Code (HGB) and, when necessary, also provide guidance on IFRS issues. Our focus is not merely on the formal audit, but on understanding the company’s processes, structures, and risks.

Digital audit methods and data analysis help us target key audit areas and manage the workload for the company efficiently.

The PKF Wulf Group has once again been recognized by *manager magazin* as one of Germany’s best auditing firms for 2026/27 in the “Medium-Sized Companies” category.

Secure billing. Reliable processes.

Organize Payroll Reliably and Digitally

A large workforce, diverse work schedules, and decentralized structures make payroll processing in the transportation and logistics sectors a challenging task.

With a specialized payroll team of about 50 employees, we provide support for ongoing payroll processing, issues related to income tax and social security law, as well as tax audits and the digitization of HR and payroll processes.

As a Personio Expert Partner and in close collaboration with DATEV, we integrate HR and payroll processes and help set up interfaces, data flows, and workflows efficiently and reliably.

More About Payroll

How We Support You

As companies grow, their structures must grow along with them

Growth brings new demands on finance, organization, and control.

New subsidiaries, acquisitions, international locations, or an increasing volume of transactions can lead to existing processes and systems no longer being sufficient.

We help companies further develop their structures—for example, in the following areas:

  • Corporate and equity structures
  • Internal control systems
  • ERP and financial processes
  • Reporting and governance
  • Transactions and business valuations
  • Succession and Changes in Shareholder Structure

 

Our teams from tax consulting, auditing, corporate finance, and technology GRC work closely together on these matters.

Understanding Logistics

Why PKF Wulf Group?

Because we support logistics companies even within complex structures.

We serve medium-sized logistics companies and corporate groups with complex national and international structures. We combine auditing, tax consulting, accounting, payroll, and business management consulting—with dedicated points of contact and streamlined processes.

With 10 offices in Baden-Württemberg, we’re close to small and medium-sized businesses. Through PKF Global, we also address international issues in collaboration with local specialists.

Our quality is also recognized externally: *manager magazin* has once again named PKF one of the best auditors for small and medium-sized businesses in 2026/27. In the latest JUVE Tax Market Ranking 2025, the PKF Wulf Group ranks third among the leading consulting firms for small and medium-sized businesses in Germany.

Working Together to Address the Right Issues

Christoph Kalmbach | Partner, Certified Public Accountant & Tax Advisor

During our initial consultation, we’ll identify where the greatest need for action currently lies—whether in liquidity, reporting, tax structure, auditing, or succession planning. We’ll then assemble the right team to address your specific needs.

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FAQ

How are cross-border transportation services treated for sales tax purposes?

Key factors include the type of service, the client, the place of performance, and the countries involved. Depending on the specific circumstances, reverse charge, foreign registration requirements, special invoicing requirements, or additional documentation may apply.

It is important that the tax assessment is subsequently implemented correctly in invoicing, accounting, and ERP processes.

Buy or Lease: What Tax and Accounting Considerations Apply to a Vehicle Fleet?

Purchasing, financing, and leasing have different effects on the balance sheet, income, and liquidity. Key factors include contract terms, economic allocation, term, residual value, and the applicable accounting standard.

To make a sound decision, in addition to the monthly payment, one should also consider cash flow, capacity utilization, capital tied up, and the effects on balance sheet ratios.

What payroll issues are particularly important for drivers?

For drivers, factors such as work schedules, overtime pay, expenses, social security, and cross-border assignments play a role. In addition, the digital integration of HR systems, time tracking, and payroll processing is becoming increasingly important.

What key metrics should a logistics company monitor on a regular basis?

That depends on the business model. Key metrics often include revenue and profit by customer or business unit, capacity utilization, empty runs, cost per kilometer, labor and fuel costs, tolls, working capital, liquidity, and variances from plan.

It is crucial that these key performance indicators are calculated consistently and align with management’s decisions.

When is it advisable to seek tax and business consulting advice in connection with an acquisition?

Ideally, this should be done before a binding decision is made. Valuation, due diligence, financing, tax structuring, contract drafting, and integration can significantly influence the profitability and ultimate success of a transaction.