The application of simplified financial reporting for micro and small enterprises in Central and Eastern Europe
The application of simplified financial reporting for micro and small enterprises in Central and Eastern Europe

Summary/Abstract: Micro- and small enterprises (MSE) have come to constitute the most dynamic element of growth in the transition economies of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Only through transparent reporting and communicating information on sustainability work and performance can MSEs build their reputation and trust, attract new capital, and develop a competitive advantage. The paper aims to provide a cross-country analysis of the financial-reporting requirements concerning MSEs, a few years after the introduction of Directive 2013/34/EU. The paper focuses on the transposition of the Directive into the national laws of sixteen CEE-region countries. The objectives have been achieved through a systematic review of the current academic literature, and an analysis of national legislation and questionnaires developed for academics. It turned out that a country’s political status does not affect the implementation of the Directive. Moreover, although the Directive allows countries to take the specific conditions of their markets into account when making decisions regarding the size thresholds and a simplified accounting regime, most CEE countries have applied standard definitions and requirements. As a consequence, in almost all CEE countries, about 90% of entities may draw up abridged financial reports, which significantly limits the use of financial statements for decision making.

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