Differences between the Polish Accounting Act and International Accounting Standards (IAS)

The basic legal act regulating accounting rules which concern business entities in Poland is the Accounting Act of 29 September 1994, consolidated text. Journal of Laws of 2013, item 330 (last amendment: Journal of Laws of 2015, item 1893).

Article 1. Scope of the regulation The Act specifies accounting principles, procedures for the audit of financial statements by statutory auditors and principles for conducting activity with regard to bookkeeping services.

Article 2. Application of the provisions of the Act 1. The provisions of the Accounting Act, hereinafter referred to as “the Act”, are applied, subject to the provisions of Paragraph 3, to the following entities whose registered offices or place of executive management are located on the territory of the Republic of Poland:

1. commercial companies (partnerships and capital companies, including organisations), and civil partnerships, subject to the provisions of point 2, as well as other legal entities, except for the State Treasury and the National Bank of Poland;
2. natural persons, civil partnerships established by natural persons, general partnerships established by natural persons and professional partnerships, if their net revenue from sales of goods, products and financial transactions for the preceding financial year amounted to at least the PLN equivalent of EUR 1 200 000².

Commercial law companies, natural persons generating revenues of at least EUR 1 200 000 translated into the Polish currency for the preceding financial year and other entities listed in Article 2 of the Act with their registered offices or place of executive management on the territory of the country prepare financial statements on the basis of the Act.

The hierarchy of provisions for business entities which apply the Accounting Act is established by:

Article 10. Paragraph 3. of the Accounting Act. In matters not provided for in the provisions of the Act, while adopting accounting principles (policy), entities may apply national accounting standards issued by the Accounting Standards Committee. If there is no applicable national standard, entities other than specified in Article 2 Paragraph 3 may apply IAS.

Article 45. Accounting Act Financial statements prepared pursuant to IAS

1a. Financial statements of issuers of securities admitted to, issuers of securities intending to file for admission to or issuers of securities pending admission to trading on one of the regulated markets of the European Economic Area countries may be prepared pursuant to IAS.

1b. Financial statements of entities being members of a capital group, in which a parent company prepares a consolidated financial statement pursuant to IAS, may be prepared pursuant to IAS.

1c. The decision in respect of the preparation of financial statements pursuant to IAS by the entities referred to in Paragraphs 1a and 1b, is taken by an approving body.

1d. The approving body may take the decision to discontinue the application of IAS for the preparation of financial statements by entities if the circumstances referred to in Paragraphs 1a and 1b cease to exist.

1e. Financial statements of branches of foreign companies may be prepared pursuant to IAS if this contractor prepares financial statements pursuant to IAS.

As entities’ statements may be prepared on the basis of the Accounting Act or pursuant to the rules of IAS, the table shows an overview of the differences.

Example

The LUXUS company on 6 December 2015 bought a production machine at the price of PLN 380 000.00. Annual amortisation rate 20%. Line amortisation method. After 5 years it intends to sell the machine for the amount of PLN 60 000.00.

Settlement of the operation:

1. Pursuant to the Accounting Act
2. Pursuant to the rules of IAS

Variant 1.The company prepares the financial statement pursuant to the Accounting Act.

It has been laid down in the company’s accounting policy that tangible assets are depreciated pursuant to the Polish Corporate Income Tax Act, i.e. from the month following the month in which the asset is brought into use.

Amortisation since January 2016

Every year

380 000.00 x 20% = PLN 76 000.00

Variant 2.The company prepares the financial statement pursuant to IAS

Amortisation since December 2015

We determine the basis

380 000.00 – 60 000.00 = PLN 320 000.00

In December 2015

320 000.00 x 20% = 64 000.00 / 12 = 5 333.33

Amortisation in the subsequent years in the amount of PLN 64 000.00

EXERCISES

Task 1. Key phrases

Read the text carefully and study the vocabulary. Translate the selected key words from the text into English:

1. trwający/w toku: ..........................................
2. podlegać: ......................................................
3. osoby fizyczne: .............................................
4. zgodnie z: .....................................................
5. zmniejszać się: ..............................................
6. rachunek zysków i strat: ...............................
7. środki trwałe: ................................................
8. szacować: .......................................................
9. wycena: ..........................................................
10. stosowany: .....................................................

Task 2. Words in context

Use the words from task 1 in correct forms to complete the sentences below:

1. In most countries, every year, taxpayers have to complete self-.......................................... tax returns which they next submit to local tax offices.
2. The number of university students pursuing careers in state education .......................................... significantly in comparison to previous years.
3. In case of tailor-made contracts, general terms of cooperation will no longer be .........................................., unless stated otherwise.
4. At today’s .........................................., in our pawnshop, you are bound to get about 25 hundred dollars for the unique golden pendant you have brought.
5. The entire process of production and assembly .......................................... a close scrutiny by a panel of experts before it was finally implemented in the factory in 1986.
6. According to the opposition, the government has to solve all .......................................... problems concerning unemployment benefits long before it decides to impose new taxes.
7. Native Indians in American reservations have always tried to maintain their tradition and culture by living .......................................... their inherited customs, the majority of which date back even to the 15th century.
8. A certified accountant will be eager to help you with your corporate finances or cash-flow, especially with your monthly ..........................................
9. Basic legal and financial advice for .......................................... intending to start their own businesses can be obtained for free in our local labour offices on weekdays, from 8 to 10 am.
10. By definition, .......................................... have material or physical forms, and they include both fixed and current assets such as property, vehicles, machinery, stocks and cash.

Task 3. Comprehension check

Decide whether the sentences below are true (T) or false (F) according to the text:

1. Both national and international rules of accounting are changing constantly. ................
2. Uniform accounting guidelines are the result of market globalization in European countries. ................
3. The Accounting Act of 1994 applies to business entities with registered offices outside Poland. ................
4. Revenues for the preceding year generated by natural persons should always be expressed in total in the European currency. ................
5. All financial reports of issuers or entities should be prepared in accordance with IAS. ................
6. As stated in the IAS 1, it is allowed to use varied names of appendices in financial statements. ................
7. In the IAS 16, fixed assets require completeness and they can no longer be used for 12 months. ................
8. The acquisition price of a fixed asset is insignificant in relation to the manufacturing cost. ................
9. According to the IAS 40, all stocks and investment properties can be included in current assets. ................
10. Financial statements prepared by one company according to the Accounting Act or to the rules of IAS may vary considerably in terms of amortization. ................