Daniel Zdolšek

Management accounting systems (MASs) are essential to organisations because they provide high-quality information that supports planning and decision-making when it is relevant, timely and reliable. The effectiveness of MAS depends on the delivery of relevant, timely, and understandable information, yet organisations often fail to evaluate the quality of these services systematically, thereby limiting their strategic impact. Our study addresses the underexplored area of MAS service quality, focusing on internal dynamics within accounting departments and gaps in service provision. We conduct a gap analysis within a single consistent cultural environment (Slovenia) to assess the functioning of accounting services. In our study, the statistically significant preparer–user mismatch is concentrated in the reliability dimension. The findings suggest that reliability should be prioritised in efforts to improve MAS service quality. We discuss practical implications for strengthening MAS service quality, particularly through data integrity, reporting reliability, process standardisation and user expectation management.

Advanced technological innovation has become a defining feature of modern auditing, gradually transforming auditing procedures. The increasing adoption of technological tools (i.e., robotic process automation, data analytics etc.) is reshaping auditors’ decision-making processes, generating both significant benefits and notable risks for auditors and the auditing profession. This paper examines the growing role of technology, specifically artificial intelligence, within the auditing profession, with particular emphasis on its strengths and associated limitations, and the implications for auditors’ professional judgement. It briefly reviews auditing pronouncements regarding the use of technology in contemporary audit practice. Furthermore, the paper analyses the key problems, challenges, and opportunities auditors face when exercising professional judgement in technology-enabled audits. The discussion considers the implications of using advanced technology in an audit for auditors and their professional judgement. Also, auditors’ responsibilities and accountability are considered. The paper concludes that while technological innovation offers substantial opportunities to enhance audit efficiency and effectiveness, auditors’ professional judgement and professional scepticism remain essential to ensuring reliable and high-quality audit outcomes.

Purpose: This paper compares Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) implementation in Slovenia and Montenegro, building on their 2017 Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) transposition. It also examines their responses to CSRD’s expanded assurance requirements. Methodology/research approach: A qualitative descriptive approach will analyze relevant pronouncements (i.e., directives, laws, and proposed laws) using comparison and synthesis to assess harmonization with the CSRD directive, with special attention given to assurance requirements in sustainability reporting. Findings: Slovenia has fully transposed the CSRD, while Montenegro is still at the draft law stage, revealing regulatory gaps linked to its EU integration status. Research limitations/implications: The research excludes empirical data and stake-holder opinions but contributes to the emerging literature on Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries. Practical implications: This study highlights regulatory gaps in Montenegroʼs proposed Law of Accounting, guiding future alignment with the CSRD on sustainability assurance. Originality/value: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the transposition of the CSRD in the context of both an EU Member State and a candidate country. It bridges a literature gap and offers valuable insights into the normative differences and implementation challenges between Slovenia and Montenegro.

Intelligent Process Automation (IPA) has emerged as a transformative force, building on the foundation laid by earlier robotic process automation (RPA) systems. IPA uses advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and cognitive computing to automate more complex processes that are beyond the capabilities of RPA. Implementing IPA requires detailed strategies and training programs for selected employees who will be responsible for this technology. Nevertheless, this does not fully address the fundamental concerns that are causing possible resistance in the audit industry. The dilemma is whether the integration of IPA into day-to-day audit tasks diminishes the professional value and expertise of junior auditors and newcomers to the field. Automation limits junior auditors' exposure to core auditing tasks, leading to skill and experience gaps in risk assessment, data analysis and analytical insights. This dissatisfaction may lead some junior auditors to leave the profession for roles that offer greater skill development and opportunities for professional growth.

Cryptocurrencies are based on relatively new technology and often represent a new type of highly volatile investment rather than a means of payment; therefore, regulators must adapt quickly to the ongoing growth and changing cryptocurrency ecosystem. Justified and non-discriminatory taxation on profits derived from the disposal of any financial assets, including cryptoassets, appears to be the universal core of the taxation problem. The issues regarding cryptotaxation, its taxable activities, and tax base, irrespective of the tax jurisdiction, arise already from the basic definitions, where confusion can be detected. The research question is: How is the taxation of cryptocurrency transactions regulated in the European Union (EU), particularly in Slovenia? The conference paper examines the current legislative framework in the Slovenian cryptoecosystem for natural persons, presents a new proposal for a cryptoassets disposal income tax that has sparked considerable debate in both the crypto and political public in Slovenia, and provides an overview of the current pros and cons.

Sustainability reporting is gradually being introduced into the economy. The European Union (EU) is at the forefront with its Directive 2022/2464/EU on corporate sustainability reporting, a pivotal part of corporate transparency and responsibility commitments for larger and more significant entities and groups. Nevertheless, a proposal package of amendments to the Directive is being considered to adjust, simplify, and delay sustainability reporting, with the aim of enhancing European economic competitiveness. Our conference paper presents the current sustainability reporting framework in Slovenia. The research question is twofold. First, what are the newest occurrences in the field of sustainable reporting in Slovenia and their implementation in the Slovenian legislative framework? Second, are further simplifications and administrative burden diminution needed in the Slovenian sustainability reporting regulatory framework? Analysis reveals minor possible simplifications to the Slovenian sustainability reporting framework. Careful consideration should be given to striking a reasonable balance between the benefits and costs associated with sustainability reporting.

This conference paper examines the rationale behind taxing cryptocurrency operations and the current regulatory frameworks governing them. As the significance and value of crypto-assets rose and became a crucial potential investment, embraced by numerous investors, the importance of their typologization, classification, and definition has also increased. Crypto-assets were initially issued as currency, a term often used to describe this concept, and, therefore, serve as a medium of exchange or a digital payment method. However, with time, they have increasingly evolved into speculative investment assets. Bitcoin, first introduced in 2008 as a response to financial crises, is a classic example of speculative investment. Given the potential returns on the sale of cryptocurrencies and the lack of regulation in this area, particularly in comparison with traditional financial instruments such as shares, the taxation of cryptocurrencies is a key issue for existing and potential investors, regulators, and governments worldwide. The transformation of cryptocurrencies into crypto-assets raises a few critical questions: (1) why should crypto-assets be taxed, and (2) which are already established global platforms for crypto taxation. International recommendations concerning what aspects of crypto activity should be taxed-and how-are crucial for enhancing transparency in crypto markets and curbing potential misuse. Moreover, the lack of clarity in terminology and substance continues to create confusion, which this article aims to address.

S predmetno študijo primera želimo bralcu na praktičnem primeru ustanovitve mikro storitvenega podjetja in nadaljnjih poslovnih dogodkih, ki se zgodijo v njegovem prvem mesecu poslovanja, predstaviti način analiziranja teh poslovnih dogodkov in presojo, kako ti vplivajo na premoženjsko-finančno stanje ali uspešnost podjetja. Poudarek študije ni na številnih računovodskih pravilih ali pa na sami tehniki knjiženja, temveč na ključnem poznavanju koncepta strogega upoštevanja nastanka poslovnega dogodka ter na povezanem spreminjanju gospodarskih kategorij, kar zasledujemo z doslednim upoštevanjem računovodske enačbe oziroma ravnovesja. To je ključno pravilo, ki se realizira kasneje pri vseh nadaljnjih knjigovodskih operacijah, kot so knjiženje in sestavljanje temeljnih računovodskih izkazov. Študija primera je primerna za vse, ki želijo razumeti osnovne koncepte delovanja računovodstva ter sam način računovodskega razmišljanja, ne glede na njihovo strokovno ozadje. Takšno znanje je koristno za sprejemanje raznovrstnih poslovnih, poslovodnih in celo zasebnih odločitev, saj prinaša vpogled v kompleksno (računovodsko) obravnavo slehernega poslovnega dogodka oziroma odločitve ter predvsem njegovih/njihovih posledic na uspešnost in premoženjsko-finančno stanje (podjetja ali posameznika).

Financial innovation, green investments, or climate change are changing insurers’ business ecosystems, impacting their business behaviour and financial vulnerability. Supervisors and other stakeholders are interested in identifying the path toward deterioration in the insurance company’s financial health as early as possible. Suptech tools enable them to discover more and to intervene in a timely manner. We propose an artificial intelligence approach using Kohonen’s self-organizing maps. The dataset used for development and testing included yearly financial statements with 4058 observations for European composite insurance companies from 2012 to 2021. In a novel manner, the model investigates the behaviour of insurers, looking for similarities. The model forms a map. For the obtained groupings of companies from different geographical origins, a common characteristic was discovered regarding their future financial deterioration. A threshold defined using the solvency capital requirement (SCR) ratio being below 130% for the next year is applied to the map. On the test sample, the model correctly identified on average 86% of problematic companies and 79% of unproblematic companies. Changing the SCR ratio level enables differentiation into multiple map sections. The model does not rely on traditional methods, or the use of the SCR ratio as a dependent variable but looks for similarities in the actual insurer’s financial behaviour. The proposed approach offers grounds for a Suptech tool of predictive generation to support early detection of the possible future financial distress of an insurance company.