Does a contract with a Polish accountant or Polish accounting office need to be in writing?

A contract with a Polish accountant or a Polish accounting office does not need to be in writing; it does not have to be in written form. It can be an oral agreement; however, drafting a written agreement is advisable for evidentiary purposes. The absence of a written agreement can result in difficulties in proving what the accountant’s (accounting office’s) responsibilities were, and similarly, the obligations of the person (entity) for whom such services were provided. This is usually important in the event of a dispute caused, for example, by an allegation of non-performance or poor performance of the contract, potentially leading to financial liability before tax authorities.

Is there criminal liability in Poland for not maintaining accounting records for a limited liability company?

Failure to maintain accounting records for a limited liability company, maintaining them in violation of the Accounting Act, or providing false or unreliable data in them is subject to criminal liability under Polish law. The penalties include a fine, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. In practice, it happens that accounting is not maintained for an extended period in companies obliged to keep accounting records in Poland. However, the consequences can be severe for those managing such companies, regardless of whether they are Polish citizens or foreigners who are members of the company’s board.

Is there criminal liability in Poland for not publishing the financial statements of a Polish limited liability company?

Failure to submit the financial statements of a limited liability company for publication is subject to criminal liability in Poland, punishable by a fine or restriction of liberty.

Are there criminal consequences in Poland for failing to have a Polish limited liability company’s financial statements audited by a statutory auditor despite being required to do so?

Failure to have a Polish limited liability company’s financial statements audited by a statutory auditor despite a statutory obligation is subject to criminal liability in Poland, punishable by a fine or restriction of liberty.

Is there a difference between the services of “cheap” and “expensive” Polish accounting offices?

In Poland, both accounting offices that charge low fees for their services and those with much higher fees are obliged to conduct tax settlements in a manner and within the deadlines specified by Polish tax law and maintain accounting records or other registers in accordance with the Polish Accounting Act. Comparable services in this regard should be provided uniformly in Poland. However, this is often not the case because the quality of these services is influenced by many factors, such as the experience and knowledge of the people providing these services, the availability and type of software used, the organization of the accounting office, the method of information flow, client contact, accounting and legal advice related to tax settlements, and many others.

How to choose a good accounting office in Poland?

Choosing a good Polish accounting office is crucial for any business activity as it affects how tax settlements are made and, consequently, the tax costs of conducting such business in Poland. It is not advisable to be guided solely by the price of such services, which does not mean that Polish accounting offices or accountants offering low rates provide poor or unreliable services. However, price should not be the only criterion for selecting a Polish accountant or accounting office. Many accounting offices in Poland have hidden fees for their services by introducing price lists for additional services. If such a price list exists, it is good to check exactly what the final monthly price will be for the necessary accounting services for your business in Poland. The education, skills, and experience of the Polish accountant are extremely important. Signing a contract with an accounting office employing many accountants does not necessarily mean that your business will be handled by a highly competent and experienced person. It is good to check in advance whether a dedicated accountant will be assigned to your business, with whom you can have personal and direct contact. It is also good to know what their experience and skills are. Besides, always read carefully the contract you are about to sign for accounting services, especially regarding its subject (what services the accountant or accounting office will perform), the method of determining the price, and consequently how much and for what you will specifically pay. Also, check the provisions regarding the financial liability of such an office in case you are exposed to damage (financial liability) due to errors in tax settlements made on your behalf before Polish tax authorities.

We provide services in Poland in Krakow and Warsaw.

Accounting in Poland, Kraków:

PHONE: +48 12 345 21 06
EMAIL: biuro.krakow@prwt.pl

Accounting in Poland, Warsaw:

PHONE: +48 22 292 47 21
EMAIL: biuro.warszawa@prwt.pl