You’d think accounting is the same everywhere, right? Rules, numbers, reports. Well… not quite. In Albania, accountings got its own twist.

Sure, on paper, it’s aligned with international standards — they follow IFRS if you’re a big player. Smaller businesses? They can stick to local standards (NAS). The idea was to make life easier for SMEs. Spoiler: it kind of works, but not always.

• National Accounting Council (NAC)? Yep, they run the show.
• Ministry of Finance? Also has its fingers in the pie.

Basically, if you’re setting up shop here, better know who’s regulating what. Or — smarter move — hire someone who does.

Let’s be real. In Albania, you don’t just “do your books” and move on. It’s more like, if you don’t have your paperwork tight? Good luck when the tax office comes knocking. And they do. Often.

You’ll need stuff like:

• Bookkeeping: No, Excel won’t cut it.
• Payroll: Mess up wages? Employees will complain.
• Tax Planning: Rules change. A lot. Staying ahead = surviving.
• Audits: Mandatory if you’re big. Smart even if you’re small.
• Foreign Business Help: Setting up without local advice? You’re basically asking for headaches.

Bureaucracy? Alive and well.

Expect random rule changes. Delays. Different answers depending on who you ask. Sometimes it feels like you need a translator even when speaking Albanian.

Foreign companies get the worst of it. Between culture shock and paperwork wars, it’s not for amateurs. Get a real accountant. Period.

Accounting here isn’t just about staying legal.

Done right, it makes you look good. Banks take you seriously. Investors pay attention. You sleep better.

Done wrong? Fines, audits, maybe even worse. And trust me, no one wants a surprise audit here.)

Albania’s moving forward fast — economy’s growing, laws improving — but it’s not the Wild West anymore. You can’t fake it till you make it.

Get your accounting sorted from Day 1. Find someone local who’s seen it all. Your future self will thank you.