What you will get from this guide
If you do an Einnahmen-Überschuss-Rechnung (EÜR), your bank statement is the backbone of your bookkeeping. The challenge is getting transactions into a spreadsheet or tool without manual typing.
This guide shows a simple monthly workflow: export or convert to CSV, categorize reliably, and reconcile so your EÜR stays current.
Step-by-step
1. Export or convert your statement to CSV
Use a native CSV export when available. For PDF archives, convert with KontoCSV to get a consistent table you can filter and categorize.
2. Categorize transactions with a simple system
Create a small set of categories (income, software, travel, taxes, fees) and apply them consistently. This makes reporting and tax prep much faster.
3. Import and reconcile monthly
Import into your accounting tool or keep a master spreadsheet. Reconcile totals against the original statement to catch duplicates or missing lines early.
Best practices
- Keep business and personal accounts separate whenever possible.
- Do not overwrite raw amounts/dates; add categories in separate columns to preserve the audit trail.
- Keep the original PDFs archived even if you work with CSV day-to-day.
FAQ
Is Excel enough for EÜR bookkeeping?
For many freelancers yes, as long as you keep it consistent and reconcile monthly. If you use a tool (Lexoffice, sevDesk, DATEV), export profiles can reduce mapping work.
How do I deal with PayPal/Stripe payouts?
Use the payout reports for fee breakdowns and reconcile the net payout against the bank statement. Avoid posting only the net line without the fee details.
German original (more detail)
If you want the full German version with screenshots and extra edge cases, open the original guide here: