The development of accounting in Slovakia

Abstract

Like many countries in Eastern Europe, Slovakia is currently facing social and economic changes that are leading the country towards a market economy. In the future, the country might join the European Union. This will call for many legislative and practical changes to which Slovak institutions and companies will have to adapt. After an introduction outlining the political and economic development of the country, this paper focuses on the development and role of accounting and auditing. After 1953, both the planning system and the accounting system were oriented towards the Soviet model. After the political changes of 1989, the accounting system was adapted to meet the economic changes in the country. The innovations were strongly influenced by continental European accounting models. Since the revolution of 1989, there have also been developments with respect to the profession, with the establishment of the Slovak Union of Accountants and the Slovak Chamber of Auditors. The Ministry of Finance, which includes a Department of Accounting Methodology, continues to play a central role in the development of accounting practices. Although the Big Five audit firms seem to have strengthened their position in the country, local auditors remain dominant in many industries.