Die elektronische Übermittlung von Jahresabschlussdaten an Banken - Nutzungspotential (für KMU) und Implementierungsschritte

The electronic transfer of financial data based on a reporting language lik e XML or XBRL gets more and more common in multiple areas. In Germany all companies are obligated to transmit their financial statements in XBRL-format for tax purposes beginning in the year 2013. However in the communication between bank s and their business customers the distribution of financial information in alternative formats still remains dominant. This paper shows - with a focus on small and medium-sized entities - that both parties (bank s and their customers) would benefit from an XBRL-based exchange of business information. It also identifies the conditions which have to be met to extent the use of an XML- or XBRL-based communication. Based on the analysis of the so called Austrian "Bilanz Transfer System" this paper also provides a list with necessary steps to implement a "Balance Sheet Transfer System" (in Germany).