Accounting Developments in Poland
Introduction of Poland
Poland officially known as Republic of Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska) is a country in Central Europe. Poland is bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north. The total area of Poland is 312,679 square kilometers (120,726 sq mi), making it the 69th largest country in the world and 9th in Europe. Poland has a population of over 38 million people, which makes it the 33rd most populous country in the world. (WBO, 2010)
Historical Background
A national accounting chart for Poland did not exist before the 1930s although an accountants’ Association was already established in the year 1907. However, there has been evolution on the Poland’s accounting system over the decades. This is largely due to the reason that they have long undergone a major change in their historical background. The effects of World War II had far-reaching implications for most of the world and Poland is not an exception. The history hit Poland on 1 September 1939 when the World War II entered Poland and this has made begins of an era of Communist rule for Poland. The period up to Second World War was strongly influenced by the German system at that time. And the rules of the uniform German General Plan of accounts were in force. This system was, however, changed after the Russian occupation and a centrally planned economy was introduced. Since 1989 when Poland moved away from Russian dominance, the accounting system was also changed. This change was undertaken gradually because already at this stage it was recognized that the process of change and the guiding principle of legislation would stretch over a considerable time span needing numerous changes, corrections and adaptations. (McGee, 2008)
Poland under the socialist ruling (1942-1989)
The exposure of Poland to German, Russian and Western European accounting
Poland officially known as Republic of Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska) is a country in Central Europe. Poland is bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north. The total area of Poland is 312,679 square kilometers (120,726 sq mi), making it the 69th largest country in the world and 9th in Europe. Poland has a population of over 38 million people, which makes it the 33rd most populous country in the world. (WBO, 2010)
Historical Background
A national accounting chart for Poland did not exist before the 1930s although an accountants’ Association was already established in the year 1907. However, there has been evolution on the Poland’s accounting system over the decades. This is largely due to the reason that they have long undergone a major change in their historical background. The effects of World War II had far-reaching implications for most of the world and Poland is not an exception. The history hit Poland on 1 September 1939 when the World War II entered Poland and this has made begins of an era of Communist rule for Poland. The period up to Second World War was strongly influenced by the German system at that time. And the rules of the uniform German General Plan of accounts were in force. This system was, however, changed after the Russian occupation and a centrally planned economy was introduced. Since 1989 when Poland moved away from Russian dominance, the accounting system was also changed. This change was undertaken gradually because already at this stage it was recognized that the process of change and the guiding principle of legislation would stretch over a considerable time span needing numerous changes, corrections and adaptations. (McGee, 2008)
Poland under the socialist ruling (1942-1989)
The exposure of Poland to German, Russian and Western European accounting