EU acquis communautaire

The introduction of new financial reporting standards in the European Union (EU) is having significant direct consequences for many of the preparers and users of financial information. These consequences are generally well documented and explored by many distinguished experts. However, less well documented are some of the indirect consequences of the implementation of new financial accounting standards in the EU. One such area is in the relationship between corporate financial accounting (‘financial accounting’) and corporate income tax accounting (‘tax accounting’).

This note was prepared as part of the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) and was made public in January 2016. Its main objective is to describe the status and recent developments in corporate financial reporting framework in Montenegro and highlight key issues relevant to financial sector. The note represents a technical annex to the main FSAP Aide-Memoire and seeks to provide a high-level overview of developments since the 2007 A&A ROSC2, as well as highlight the areas that are most relevant to the financial sector.

The genesis for this publication was conceived within the context of the EU Road to Europe – Program of Accounting Reform and Institutional Strengthening (EU-REPARIS) regional program, which aims to provide assistance to the countries of Central and South East Europe on corporate financial reporting reform, particularly candidate countries to European Union (EU) accession.

Public oversight of audits and auditors is a relatively recent development, particularly in light of the length of time that capital markets and the audit profession have operated. This paper reflects on the rationale for public oversight of auditors, summarizes the relevant EU legislation and international benchmarks for public oversight systems, and thereafter compares and contrasts the different approaches taken by EU member states to operate their public oversight systems.