Cooperative
The cooperative is a corporately organised association of at least seven persons whose purpose is to promote or secure the economic interests of its members; at the general meeting each member has one vote, regardless of their holding.
Definition
The changing number of members is its hallmark and its administrative burden: joiners and leavers, share certificates, repayments. It is common in housing, agriculture and retail.
For the software this means: the member register is not a customer register. Contributions, share certificates and voting rights belong together, and the annual accounts have to show movements in cooperative capital.
The wording
At least seven members must participate in the formation of a cooperative.
The numbers
- 7 members
- minimum number for formation Art. 831 CO
Where to read it
What the software must be able to do
What is needed is member management with a contribution run and share certificates — not customer management with invoices. Association software often fits the need better than accounting software.
Checked Aug 2026
More terms under Legal form and register: AG (public limited company) Association Auditor Commercial register General partnership GmbH (limited liability company) Liquidation Signing authority (Prokura) Sole proprietorship UID number