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Annexe E: Luxembourg Accounting Software Comparison

Vue d'ensemble​

This appendix provides a comparison of accounting software solutions suitable for Luxembourg SMEs, with focus on PCN compliance, VAT handling, and Luxembourg-specific features.

Comparison Criteria​

Essential Features​

  • PCN 2020 compliance
  • VAT management (4 rates: 17%, 14%, 8%, 3%)
  • eCDF integration
  • FAIA export capability
  • Multilingual support (FR, DE, EN)
  • Bank reconciliation
  • Invoice management

Important Features​

  • Payroll integration
  • Inventory management
  • Multi-currency support
  • Cloud vs. on-premise
  • Mobile access
  • Reporting and analytics
  • User support and training

Software Solutions​

1. Sage BOB​

Vue d'ensemble: Cloud-connected accounting software specifically designed for Belgian and Luxembourg markets.

Strengths:

  • ✅ Full PCN 2020 compliance
  • ✅ Excellent VAT handling (all 4 rates)
  • ✅ eCDF integration built-in
  • ✅ FAIA export capability
  • ✅ Multilingual (FR, DE, EN, NL)
  • ✅ Strong Luxembourg localization
  • ✅ Import/export via Excel/CSV
  • ✅ Bank reconciliation
  • ✅ Good customer support in Luxembourg

Weaknesses:

  • ❌ Higher cost than some alternatives
  • ❌ Learning curve for new users
  • ❌ Limited customization options

Pricing:

  • Starting from €30-50/month (varies by features)
  • Annual plans available with discounts

Best For:

  • Established SMEs needing full compliance
  • Businesses requiring strong Luxembourg support
  • Companies with complex VAT requirements

PCN Compliance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Excellent) VAT Management: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Excellent) Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Good) Support: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Excellent)

2. Odoo (Luxembourg Localization)​

Vue d'ensemble: Open-source ERP with Luxembourg-specific modules and localizations.

Strengths:

  • ✅ Open-source core (free)
  • ✅ Luxembourg localization available
  • ✅ Highly customizable
  • ✅ Comprehensive ERP features
  • ✅ Good community support
  • ✅ Can be self-hosted or cloud
  • ✅ Multi-company support

Weaknesses:

  • ❌ Requires technical knowledge for setup
  • ❌ Luxembourg localization may need configuration
  • ❌ Support quality varies
  • ❌ Steeper learning curve

Pricing:

  • Free (community edition)
  • €24.90/user/month (cloud hosted)
  • Self-hosted: hosting costs only

Best For:

  • Tech-savvy SMEs
  • Businesses needing full ERP functionality
  • Companies with IT resources

PCN Compliance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Good, with setup) VAT Management: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Good) Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐ (Good, but complex) Support: ⭐⭐⭐ (Good community, paid support available)

3. QuickBooks (with Luxembourg Setup)​

Vue d'ensemble: Popular international accounting software, requires manual Luxembourg configuration.

Strengths:

  • ✅ User-friendly interface
  • ✅ Good mobile apps
  • ✅ Strong reporting
  • ✅ Bank integration
  • ✅ Well-known brand

Weaknesses:

  • ❌ Not specifically designed for Luxembourg
  • ❌ PCN compliance requires manual setup
  • ❌ Limited Luxembourg-specific features
  • ❌ eCDF integration may require workarounds
  • ❌ VAT handling may need customization

Pricing:

  • €15-50/month depending on plan

Best For:

  • Small businesses with simple needs
  • International companies familiar with QuickBooks
  • Businesses willing to adapt software to Luxembourg requirements

PCN Compliance: ⭐⭐⭐ (Good, with manual setup) VAT Management: ⭐⭐⭐ (Good, may need customization) Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Excellent) Support: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Good, but not Luxembourg-specific)

4. Xero​

Vue d'ensemble: Cloud-based accounting software, popular internationally.

Strengths:

  • ✅ Modern, intuitive interface
  • ✅ Excellent bank reconciliation
  • ✅ Good mobile apps
  • ✅ Strong third-party integrations
  • ✅ Good reporting

Weaknesses:

  • ❌ Limited Luxembourg localization
  • ❌ PCN compliance requires setup
  • ❌ eCDF integration not built-in
  • ❌ VAT handling may need workarounds

Pricing:

  • €12-35/month depending on plan

Best For:

  • Small businesses with international operations
  • Tech-forward companies
  • Businesses prioritizing ease of use over Luxembourg-specific features

PCN Compliance: ⭐⭐⭐ (Good, with setup) VAT Management: ⭐⭐⭐ (Good, may need customization) Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Excellent) Support: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Good)

5. Excel-Based Solutions​

Vue d'ensemble: Custom Excel templates or add-ins for accounting.

Strengths:

  • ✅ Low cost (or free)
  • ✅ Highly customizable
  • ✅ Familiar interface
  • ✅ No subscription fees
  • ✅ Full control

Weaknesses:

  • ❌ Manual data entry
  • ❌ Error-prone
  • ❌ Limited automation
  • ❌ No built-in compliance features
  • ❌ Time-consuming
  • ❌ Requires accounting knowledge

Pricing:

  • Free (if using own templates)
  • €50-200 for professional templates

Best For:

  • Very small businesses
  • Businesses with simple transactions
  • Companies with accounting expertise
  • Temporary or startup phase

PCN Compliance: ⭐⭐ (Requires manual setup) VAT Management: ⭐⭐ (Manual calculation) Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐ (Depends on template quality) Support: ⭐⭐ (Limited, depends on template provider)

6. CashCtrl (Free)​

Vue d'ensemble: Free online accounting software from Switzerland, works for Luxembourg.

Strengths:

  • ✅ Completely free
  • ✅ Double-entry bookkeeping
  • ✅ Multilingual (EN, DE, FR, IT)
  • ✅ Cloud-based
  • ✅ Good basic features

Weaknesses:

  • ❌ Limited Luxembourg-specific features
  • ❌ PCN compliance requires manual mapping
  • ❌ No built-in eCDF integration
  • ❌ Limited support
  • ❌ Basic reporting

Pricing:

  • Free forever

Best For:

  • Very small businesses
  • Startups
  • Businesses testing accounting software
  • Simple accounting needs

PCN Compliance: ⭐⭐⭐ (Good, with manual setup) VAT Management: ⭐⭐⭐ (Good basic features) Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Good) Support: ⭐⭐ (Limited, community-based)

Feature Comparison Matrix​

FeatureSage BOBOdooQuickBooksXeroExcelCashCtrl
PCN 2020 Compliance✅ Built-in✅ With setup⚠️ Manual⚠️ Manual⚠️ Manual⚠️ Manual
VAT (4 rates)✅ Full✅ Full⚠️ Custom⚠️ Custom⚠️ Manual✅ Basic
eCDF Integration✅ Built-in⚠️ Add-on❌ No❌ No❌ No❌ No
FAIA Export✅ Built-in✅ Available⚠️ Manual⚠️ Manual⚠️ Manual❌ No
Multilingual✅ FR/DE/EN✅ FR/DE/EN⚠️ Limited⚠️ Limited✅ Any✅ FR/DE/EN
Bank Reconciliation✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Excellent⚠️ Manual✅ Yes
Invoice Management✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes⚠️ Manual✅ Yes
Payroll Integration✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes❌ No❌ No
Inventory✅ Yes✅ Excellent✅ Yes✅ Yes⚠️ Manual⚠️ Basic
Cloud/On-PremiseCloudBothCloudCloudLocalCloud
Mobile App✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes⚠️ Office 365❌ No
Luxembourg Support✅ Excellent⚠️ Community❌ No❌ No❌ No❌ No
Cost€€€Free-€€€€€€Free-€Free

Legend:

  • ✅ = Excellent/Built-in
  • ⚠️ = Available with setup/customization
  • ❌ = Not available or limited

Selection Guide​

For Restaurants/Hospitality​

Recommended: Sage BOB

  • Best VAT handling for restaurant rates (3%, 8%, 14%)
  • Payment method reconciliation (Cetrel)
  • POS integration options

For Retail​

Recommended: Sage BOB or Odoo

  • Inventory management important
  • VAT compliance critical
  • Multi-location support (Odoo)

For Professional Services​

Recommended: QuickBooks, Xero, or Sage BOB

  • Time tracking integration
  • Project accounting
  • Simpler needs may prefer QuickBooks/Xero

For E-Commerce​

Recommended: Odoo or Xero

  • E-commerce platform integration
  • Multi-currency support
  • Automated reconciliation

For Very Small Businesses​

Recommended: CashCtrl or Excel

  • Low cost or free
  • Simple needs
  • Can upgrade later

For Growing SMEs​

Recommended: Sage BOB or Odoo

  • Scalability
  • Full compliance
  • Professional features

Implementation Considerations​

Data Migration​

  • Export from old system (CSV, Excel)
  • Import into new system
  • Verify data accuracy
  • Test thoroughly before going live

Training​

  • Software-specific training available
  • Online tutorials and documentation
  • Consider professional training for complex systems

Support​

  • Check support availability in Luxembourg
  • Response times
  • Language support
  • Cost of support packages

Integration​

  • Bank feeds
  • Payment processors (Cetrel, etc.)
  • POS systems
  • Payroll systems
  • E-commerce platforms

Ressources​

Software Providers​

Luxembourg-Specific Resources​

  • House of Training: Sage BOB courses
  • Chamber of Commerce: Software recommendations
  • Accounting Firms: Implementation services

Important Notes​

  • Always verify current PCN compliance
  • Test eCDF integration before committing
  • Consider data export capabilities (for future migration)
  • Check backup and security features
  • Review contract terms and cancellation policies
  • Get demos before purchasing
  • Consider scalability for business growth