Audit requirements in Denmark for annual reports in 2024
Audits of annual reports are not mandatory for most companies in Denmark in 2024. In general, larger limited liability companies need to be audited, and smaller companies do not need to be audited. The difference between “smaller” and “larger” is defined by thresholds for revenue, amount of employees and assets. However, new audit rules was introduced in 2023.
Audit requirements in Denmark for annual reports in 2024
In this blog, we will discuss the audit requirements in Denmark for annual reports in 2024.
Audits of annual reports are not mandatory for most companies in Denmark.
In general, larger limited liability companies need to be audited, and smaller companies do not need to be audited.
The difference between “smaller” and “larger” is defined by thresholds for revenue, amount of employees and assets.
New audit rules was introduced in Denmark in 2023.
New rules from 1.1.2023
From 1.1.2023, the audit rules was extended to include smaller companies in 11 so-called “high-risk” industries.
The 11 high-risk industries are:
Road freight transport
Moving companies
Restaurants
Pizzerias, grill bars, ice cream bars, etc.
Event catering
Other restaurant business
Cafes, pubs, discotheques, etc.
Data processing, web hosting and similar services
Web portals
Wholesale trade in cars, vans and minibuses
Retail trade in cars, vans and minibuses
If a company operates in one of these industries with a revenue of more than 5 million DKK in two consecutive years, it will need a statement from an auditor in the annual report.
A statement from an auditor does not mean a full audit.
But it must be expected that additional costs for the auditor’s statement will occur.
Furthermore, companies with assets above 50 million DKK will be required to have an audit or a review done by an auditor regardless of revenue and amount of employees.
Audit requirements for sole proprietorships
Audit of annual reports is not necessary for sole proprietorships regardless of revenue, amount of employees and assets.
Audit requirements for other limited liability companies (ApS and A/S not considered “high-risk” companies)
To avoid an audit requirement, other limited liability companies not considered “high-risk” companies must meet two out of three of the below requirements during the first fiscal year of operation:
1) The company must have a balance sum of a maximum of 4 million DKK (the sum of assets);
2) The company must have a revenue of a maximum of 8 million DKK, without VAT;
3) The company must have an average amount of a maximum of 12 full-time employees.
From the second fiscal year and later, the company cannot exceed two out of these three requirements during the last two consequent fiscal years if it wants to avoid an audit requirement.
You can read more about audit requirements here
Remember to de-select the audit when you incorporate a new company
When you incorporate a new company, you can de-select the audit to avoid it in your first fiscal year by writing it into the articles of incorporation and articles of association.
This has to be done actively.
If you forget to de-select the audit, the company will be required to be audited regardless of thresholds.
It is always good to ask the lawyer or accountant helping you to incorporate the company if they remembered to de-select the audit requirement.
De-selecting the audit of an already operating company
If your limited liability company was established years ago with an annual audit requirement, but the company does not exceed the threshold for having a mandatory audit, you can de-select the audit during your annual general meeting for the coming fiscal year.
This is the meeting where you approve the annual report from the previous year.
Audit for holding companies
Special rules apply for holding companies that have a controlling amount of shares in other companies.
A ‘controlling amount’ of shares is defined as 20% ownership or more.
If you have a holding company, the rules for avoiding the audit are initially the same as those that govern limited liability companies.
But you must combine 100% of the values from all the companies the holding company owns shares in.
Even if the holding company only own 20%, you must add the total balance sum, revenue, and employees from all the companies.
Read more about holding companies here
(This blog was updated last time: 11.3.2024)
FAQ
Are audits of annual reports mandatory for all companies in Denmark in 2024?
No, audits of annual reports are not mandatory for most companies. Generally, larger companies require audits, while smaller ones do not.
Which companies was affected by the new audit rules in Denmark in 2023?
Smaller companies in certain "high-risk" industries were affected by the new audit rules in Denmark in 2023.
Which industries are considered "high-risk" in the context of audit requirements?
Industries like road freight transport, moving companies, restaurants, and web hosting services, among others, are considered "high-risk" industries. There are 11 industris in total considered "high-risk" in the context of audit requirements.
What triggers an audit requirement for companies in one of the 11 "high-risk" industries?
Companies in these "high-risk" industries with revenue over 5 million DKK for two consecutive years need an auditor's statement in their annual report as a minimum. A full audit is optional.
Is an auditor's statement the same as a full audit?
No, an auditor's statement is required but it does not equate to a full audit.
What are the audit requirements for companies with assets above 50 million DKK?
Such companies must have an audit or review by an auditor regardless of their revenue or number of employees.
Do sole proprietorships in Denmark need to audit their annual reports?
No, sole proprietorships do not require an audit regardless of their size or industry.
What criteria must other limited liability companies meet to avoid audit requirements?
They must meet two out of three conditions related to balance sum, revenue, and employee count, varying with the company's operational year.
How can new companies avoid audit requirements in their first fiscal year?
By actively deselecting the audit requirement in their articles of incorporation and association.
Can existing companies with no mandatory audit threshold deselect audit requirements?
Yes, during their annual general meeting for the coming fiscal year if they haven't exceeded the thresholds.