HGBbased

HGBbased is a term used in German-speaking business and software contexts to describe systems, processes, or configurations that are designed to comply with the Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB), the German Commercial Code. It signals that accounting, bookkeeping, and related record-keeping activities are implemented in a way that aligns with statutory requirements and regulatory expectations set by the HGB and related German tax and auditing standards.

In practice, HGBbased solutions emphasize features that support statutory compliance. This typically includes support for standardized chart of accounts (SKR), handling of recurring reporting and year-end financial statements, and capabilities for digital archiving and long-term data retention. A key focus is maintaining data integrity and traceability through audit trails, versioning, and robust access controls, so that records can be reproduced and audited by authorities if required.

Retention and compliance considerations are central to HGBbased implementations. The HGB imposes retention periods for various documents, commonly six or ten years depending on the item, and systems described as HGBbased often implement automated retention policies, tamper-evident storage, and straightforward export options to support tax audits and regulatory review. They also typically incorporate elements of GoBD (Principles for proper management of electronic books, records, and documents) to ensure electronic records meet admissibility standards.

Scope and usage of HGBbased approaches vary, but they are commonly seen in ERP, accounting, and document-management systems used by German companies. While not a formal standard, the label serves to convey compliance-oriented design and readiness for regulatory scrutiny, and it may be updated to reflect changes in the HGB and related regulations.