Is it easy to view company annual accounts online?

Easy access to company accounts online

Accessing companies' annual accounts online has become significantly easier in recent years. Danish authorities have made efforts to increase the transparency and availability of financial information. Here is a detailed guide on how you can easily access and analyze company accounts online.

Platforms for accessing annual accounts

There are primarily two official platforms where you can find companies' annual accounts in Denmark:

1. The Danish Business Authority's website (www.erst.dk)
2. Virk (www.virk.dk)

Both of these platforms provide free access to most annual reports for Danish companies[1][2].

Step-by-step guide to finding financial statements online

1. Go to the Danish Business Authority's website or Virk
2. Search for "Annual reports and accounts" on the Danish Business Authority's website
3. On Virk, select either “Accounting Basic” or “Accounting Special” depending on your needs
4. Enter the company's name or CVR number in the search field
5. Select the desired company from the search results
6. Find and click on the link to the latest annual report

It is important to note that some older documents or specialized reports may require payment of a fee[4].

Legal requirement for publication of annual accounts in Denmark

In Denmark, companies are legally obliged to publish their annual accounts. This requirement ensures transparency and allows stakeholders to assess the financial health of companies. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in fines and other sanctions[4].

Analysis of annual accounts

Analyzing financial statements requires a basic understanding of financial concepts. Here are some key elements you should focus on:

1. More active: What does the company own?
2. passive: What does the company owe?
3. Equity: The difference between assets and liabilities
4. Turnover: The company's total sales
5. Profit: What is left after all expenses are paid
6. Cash flow: Cash flows into and out of the company

A healthy company will typically have a positive balance between these elements[5][6].

Key figures in annual reports

Some key metrics to be aware of include:

- Profit margin: Shows how efficiently the company converts its revenue into profit
- Liquidity ratio: Indicates the company's ability to pay short-term obligations
- Return on equity: Shows the return on the invested capital
- Degree of solidity: Illustrates the company's ability to withstand losses[7]

Using annual reports for investment decisions

Investors use annual reports to assess a company's financial history and future potential. However, it is important to remember that annual reports only provide a snapshot. In order to make well-informed investment decisions, one should also take into account:

– Market conditions
– Competitive situation
– Global economic trends
– The company's strategy and management[9]

conclusion

Accessing and analyzing company accounts online has become significantly easier thanks to digital platforms such as the Danish Business Authority's website and Virk. With the right approach and understanding, these annual reports can provide valuable insight into a company's financial health and future prospects. Remember, however, that a thorough analysis requires more than just looking at the numbers – it's about understanding the larger context and the company's position in the market.

Links:
[1] https://www.sumup.com/da-dk/fakturaer/grundlaeggende-om-fakturering/hvor-kan-man-se-virksomheders-regnskab/
[2] https://erhvervsstyrelsen.dk/vejledning-aarsrapporter
[3] https://dinero.dk/tips/krav-til-aarsrapport-for-aps-og-enkeltmandsvirksomhed/
[4] https://www.bdo.dk/da-dk/faglig-info/depechen/depechen-artikler-2019/konsekvenser-naar-regnskabet-indberettes-for-sent
[5] https://www.itucation.dk/hvad-er-nogletal-og-hvilke-skal-du-have-styr-pa/
[6] https://www.supplement.dk/regnskabsanalyse-af-aarsrapporten/
[7] https://www.ageras.dk/blog/de-fem-vigtigste-noegletal-for-virksomhedsledere-at-foelge-i-aarsregnskabet
[8] https://aarsregnskab.dk/hvor-kan-jeg-se-mit-aarsregnskab/
[9] https://inspo.dk/ordbog/aarsrapport/