Hungary flag Hungary: Business Environment

Accounting and accounting rules in Hungary

Accounting Rules

Tax Year
The fiscal year begins on 1 January and ends on 31 December of the same year.
Accounting Standards
The Hungarian accounting system is based on the Hungarian Accounting Act, which incorporates Hungarian Accounting Standards. As a member of the EU, Hungary’s law is in accordance with European Commission (EC) Regulation No. 1606/2002, which requires the application of IFRS in the preparation of consolidated financial statements of listed companies. Hungarian Accounting Standards are supplemented by government decrees based on special requirements for banks, insurance companies, stockbrokers, investment funds, pension funds and various nonprofit institutions. As of 1 January 2018, all listed companies and financial institutions are obliged to prepare non-consolidated financial statements according to IFRS.
Accounting Regulation Bodies
Hungarian Chamber of Auditors
Accounting Reports
Because there is a distinction between long and short-term debts, the balance sheet is divided into accounts with liabilities composed of constant capital and those indicating debts. The profit and loss account gives priority to global production data and cost classification can be adjusted to highlight either nature or function.

Public companies limited by shares have more extensive publishing and disclosure obligations. Issuers on the Budapest Stock Exchange must compile and publish earning reports on a quarterly or semi-annual basis, depending on the capitalization or the number of shareholders.

Non-consolidated financial statements also must be prepared to provide a basis for the determination of corporate income tax, with certain adjustments. Financial statements may be prepared in HUF, euros (EUR) and US dollars (USD), or alternatively in other currencies if certain conditions are met.
Publication Requirements
Companies must annually produce a balance sheet, a profit and loss account and an appendix.

The general deadline for submitting financial statements (other than consolidated financial statements) is the last day of the fifth month following the balance sheet date of the fiscal year, which harmonizes the deadline for submitting the statements with the tax return filing date for calendar-year companies. The document retention period required for accounting source documents, financial statements, general ledgers and other analytical records is eight years.
Professional Accountancy Bodies
Certification and Auditing
The appointment of an auditor is mandatory if a company’s average annual net sales revenue for two consecutive business years exceeds HUF 300 million, or the average number of employees exceeds 50 in two consecutive business years; otherwise, the appointment of an auditor is optional. The auditor must be registered with the Chamber of Hungarian Auditors. The external control of accounts must be given to an independent body of auditors chosen by the company. Access the Chamber of Hungarian Auditors for more information.
Accounting News

Return to top

Any Comment About This Content? Report It to Us.

 

© eexpand, All Rights Reserved.
Latest Update: March 2024

Return to top