DATEV handoff guide

What handoff needs

Handoff is strongest when the month is reviewed and unresolved work is explicit.

• Reviewed records with source evidence, owner answers, and accountant decisions.
• Clear separation between approved items and exceptions that should not be exported or treated as done.
• Period context showing which month or accounting window the handoff covers.
• Accountant control over whether, when, and how the handoff or export context is used.

Handoff workflow

The handoff path should preserve context from source to review.

1. 01Prepare the reviewed periodStart only after evidence, tasks, matching context, and review decisions are current.
2. 02Keep evidence attachedDocuments, owner answers, matching context, and review decisions should remain inspectable.
3. 03Separate exceptionsOpen items stay visible instead of being buried in the handoff package.
4. 04Confirm accountant controlThe accountant decides whether the period is ready for export context or needs more review.
5. 05Use handoff context downstreamAfter review, the prepared context can support the firm’s DATEV or downstream process.

What Hans prepares

Hans organizes handoff context after preparation and review.

• Reviewed records and supporting source evidence for the period.
• Owner answers and accountant decisions that explain how exceptions were handled.
• A view of unresolved items that should remain outside ready handoff context.
• Handoff context that supports the accountant’s downstream process.

What the accountant decides

DATEV-related handoff remains firm-controlled.

• Whether the reviewed period is ready for export-context handoff.
• How professional treatment, account mapping, VAT handling, and export details are finalized.
• Which exceptions must be resolved before the handoff is used.
• How the handoff fits the firm’s actual DATEV and client process.

Handoff boundaries

These points should stay clear in public copy and product UI.

• Handoff context is not the same as a filed return, legal archive, or accounting guarantee.
• Unreviewed or blocked work should not be presented as ready for export.
• DATEV details can vary by firm setup and should be controlled by the accountant.
• Public resources explain readiness and context; signed-in help can cover exact product steps where available.

Next guides

Use these resources before and after handoff.

• Month close explains how a period becomes review-ready.
• Accountant review explains approval and exception handling.
• Booking proposals explains how draft treatment is inspected before handoff.
• Trust and access explains why evidence and decisions stay visible.