DATEV Unternehmen Online: Linking bank accounts and making bank transfers
Guide to linking your bank account in DATEV Unternehmen online. Setting up bank details, procedures (RZ, PIN/TAN, EBICS), retrieving transaction data and making transfers.
Introduction
The Bank Online application allows you to link your business accounts to DATEV Unternehmen Online (DUO). Account transactions are then retrieved electronically and are available as counterparts to your vouchers. You can also prepare transfers and send them to the bank without having to switch to a separate banking portal.
First, a few clarifications, as there are often misunderstandings regarding the banking module:
Bank Online does not necessarily replace your usual online banking; rather, it brings transaction details and payment transactions to the same place where your supporting documents are stored. You do not need to manually enter the transaction details – they are imported automatically. However, you can also make bank transfers via DUO.
Payments are also prepared, not triggered without your knowledge. The final approval remains with you.
And there are several methods for setting up the connection; which one is suitable depends on what your bank supports.
This article shows you how to set up a bank account, what methods are available for retrieving and making payments, and how to carry out bank transfers. The article ‘Linking receipts to payments’ explains how to link the retrieved sales transactions to your receipts afterwards. The ‘Overview’ section provides context for the module, whilst the article ‘Preparatory Bookkeeping’ explains its place in the monthly workflow:
What Bank Online does
Bank Online combines three functions: retrieving account transactions, assigning documents to these transactions, and executing payments. The transactions are stored in the DATEV data centre and are therefore also available to us for bookkeeping purposes.
The practical benefit: you can view transactions and associated documents in one place and no longer need to reconcile anything manually. We, in turn, post entries based on these same transactions, which reduces the need for follow-up enquiries.
Set up your bank details
Word-for-word transcript
To set up a bank account in DATEV Unternehmen Online, click the three dots to access the ‘Master Data Online’ application. Once you’re in ‘Master Data Online’, you can add a bank here in the ‘Banks’ section by clicking the ‘Add’ button. You then enter the IBAN. The system will then automatically recognise the bank name and the BIC. You can also enter a note here and select whether this should be the default bank. Next, go to ‘Manage bank accounts’. Here, you now have the option to set up an HBCI account. We click on ‘Add New’, then ‘Next’. A new pop-up window opens, where we first assign a name to the PIN-TAN access. I’ll call it ‘Current Account’ here. We now have the option to set up an Access-to-Account interface and a FIN-TS interface. We need the Access-to-Account interface for SEPA credit transfers, SEPA bulk transfers and, in particular, to retrieve current account transaction history. We set up the interface with a single click. We are then asked for the login details for the business account. When we select ‘Retrieve bank details’, we receive a notification – in my case, on my mobile phone – asking us to authorise the request. And now this interface has been set up. Now, if we also wish to collect SEPA direct debits or retrieve account transaction history for instant-access savings and loan accounts, we set up the interface here, and a new request will appear on my mobile phone asking me to authorise the request once. We have now set up both interfaces and can close this window. There should now be an HBCI icon with a small green arrow next to ‘Status’. We then switch to the ‘Transaction Retrieval’ tab. Here, we tick the ‘Retrieve account transactions’ box and confirm the change. The bank is now set up.
You create a bank account in Online Master Data. Transaction data can only be retrieved and payments initiated from accounts stored there. Only domestic client accounts with a German IBAN can be created.
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Open Master Data Online
In DUO, open ‘Master Data Online’ and then the ‘Company Details’ section.
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Select the ‘Bank’ tab
In the ‘Bank’ tab, click ‘New’ to create a new bank account.
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Enter the account details
Enter the IBAN and bank details.
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Select the method
You specify how transactions are retrieved and payments are sent – via the data centre method, HBCI PIN/TAN or EBICS.
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Save the settings
You complete the setup by clicking ‘Save’. The connection is then ready for transaction retrieval and payments.
Only domestic accounts with a German IBAN can be registered as the payer’s account. Accounts held abroad cannot be used for payments via DUO.
The methods for retrieving transactions and making payments
DUO supports three methods. They differ in terms of who retrieves the data from the bank and how payments are authorised. Which method is available depends on your bank.
The service data centre method (also known as ‘RZ-Bankinfo’ for transaction data). DATEV automatically retrieves account transaction data from the bank on working days and makes it available in the data centre. You do not need to retrieve anything yourself. This requires the DATEV Bank Data Service, which we will set up for you.
You retrieve the transaction data yourself using the PIN/TAN procedure (via a third-party interface). You authorise payments using a TAN. Common TAN procedures such as smsTAN, photoTAN, mobileTAN, as well as the TAN generator and TAN letter, are supported. A one-off manual retrieval is required the first time you use the service.
A cross-bank standard for payment transactions. Payments are authorised using an electronic signature – for example, via DATEV SmartCard or DATEV mIDentity. Once set up, transaction data is retrieved automatically on an ongoing basis. EBICS must be applied for and initialised with your bank.
For most smaller businesses, the data centre method or HBCI PIN/TAN is the simplest way to get started. EBICS is particularly worthwhile for higher payment volumes or where there are several authorised signatories.
You can find out which method your bank offers in its online banking section or by contacting your bank. If you’re unsure which method is right for you, please get in touch – we’ll set it up together.
View account transactions
Word-for-word transcript
With the data centre method and EBICS, transaction history is automatically retrieved once set up. With the HBCI PIN/TAN method, we need to initiate the retrieval ourselves. We can retrieve the transaction history by clicking on the button here. A pop-up window will then open, and we click on ‘Retrieve account transactions’ here. A new pop-up window will open. The account transactions have now been successfully retrieved, and the current account balance should be displayed here.
With the data centre method and EBICS, transactions are imported automatically once set up. With the PIN/TAN method, you initiate the retrieval yourself; occasionally, a manual refresh via the relevant icon is required for the latest transactions to appear.
You can access the transactions in Online Banking under ‘Check account transactions’. There, you can view all transactions, check them, assign a status and link them to supporting documents. The process of linking documents is described in the article ‘Linking documents to payments’.
Making transfers
Word-for-word transcript
With DATEV Unternehmen Online, you can make bank transfers directly from within the software. To do this, first open the unprocessed document by double-clicking it and check that all the details have been entered correctly. Let’s check the IBAN. You can see here in the green box where it has been extracted. Now, under ‘Payment details’, click on ‘Create bank transfer’. You can now save the document here. Next, go to the ‘Bank’ tab via ‘Applications’. You’ll see here that a payment is pending, and you can click on ‘Execute bank transfer’. You’ll see this payment. Click on it and then click ‘Next’ in the bottom right-hand corner. You can then select an execution date here, and by clicking ‘Next’, you can send the payment to the bank. A pop-up window will then open, requesting authorisation via the TAN procedure. In my case, I’ve received a transaction request via my mobile for my online banking. If I were to authorise this now, the bank transfer would be carried out.
You usually set up bank transfers directly from the documents. Every document you upload as an incoming invoice is automatically marked as ‘to be paid’. In ‘Documents Online’, you can see the outstanding items under ‘Supplier Invoices’.
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Select the outstanding invoice
In ‘Documents Online’, open the supplier invoices and select the invoice to be paid.
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You prepare the payment
The IBAN, amount and payment reference are taken from the document data you’ve entered. You don’t need to type in the account details manually, which helps you avoid typing errors.
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Switch to Online Banking
From ‘Documents Online’, you switch to ‘Online Banking’, where the prepared payments are listed.
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You authorise the payment
You authorise the payment – either via TAN or with an electronic signature, depending on the procedure – and send it to the bank.
SEPA direct debits can also be collected in the same way. As the amount and payment reference are taken from the document, the payment is already linked to the correct document when it is sent.
Batch transfers and batch direct debits are broken down into their individual items. This ensures that every single payment remains visible and can be linked to its corresponding document later.
Common sources of error
- Account not stored in master data: Without bank details on file, you cannot retrieve transaction data or initiate payments. Setting this up in the online master data is a prerequisite for all further steps.
- Method not supported by the bank: A selected TAN or EBICS method will only work if the bank offers it. It is worth checking the banking terms and conditions before setting it up.
- Transactions not updated: With the PIN/TAN method, new transactions only appear after they have been retrieved. Anyone who overlooks this may mistakenly assume the list is complete.
- Payment without a document reference: A payment initiated outside the document list does not have a document reference. Assigning it later then becomes a manual task.
- Forgotten to authorise: Prepared payments are only sent to the bank once authorised. Without authorisation, the transfer remains pending.
Your tasks and our tasks
Your tasks:
- Create bank details online in the master data and select the procedure
- Retrieve and check account transactions regularly
- Prepare and authorise payments
Our tasks:
- Set up the bank data service and the appropriate procedure with you
- Post the retrieved transaction data and associated documents
- Advise you on the choice of procedure
We’ll agree with you on how much you’ll handle yourself. Some companies manage their entire payment processing via DUO, whilst others only use the transaction retrieval service.
Frequently asked questions
Does Bank online replace my online banking?
It can handle your payment transactions, but it doesn’t have to. Many businesses carry out bank transfers via DUO because this brings together documents and payments in one place. However, you can also continue to use your usual online banking service.
Which banking procedures are supported?
The service centre procedure with automatic retrieval, HBCI PIN/TAN and EBICS. Which ones are available depends on your bank.
Can I link multiple accounts?
Yes, you can set up multiple business accounts. Each account is created online in the master data and assigned a payment method.
Is there an extra charge for the bank connection?
A monthly fee applies per bank account for the automatic retrieval of transaction data via the banking data service. We will invoice you for this as part of our agreement with you. We will discuss the exact terms and conditions on a case-by-case basis.
Are my transaction details retrieved automatically?
With the data centre method and EBICS, yes – transaction data is retrieved automatically on working days. With the PIN/TAN method, you initiate the retrieval yourself.
Can I also collect direct debits?
Yes. SEPA direct debits can be prepared and sent to the bank in the same way as credit transfers.
Are payments executed automatically?
No. Payments are prepared and only sent to the bank once you have authorised them. You retain control.
Can I link a foreign account?
Not as a payer’s account – only accounts with a German IBAN can be registered. A domestic account is required for payments made via DUO.
Legal notice
This article provides an overview and is not a substitute for individual advice. The range of functions, procedures and menu navigation in DATEV Unternehmen online may change as a result of updates; the procedures supported by your bank may also differ.
If you have any questions about setting up your bank details or choosing the procedure, please contact us directly.
Last updated: May 2026