Running costs of a Croatian company

[ChrisC]

Hi all <waves>

Not been round these parts for a while so apologies if this has been discussed recently but...

My Croatian property venture is at the stage where I have bought a plot and (to facilitate the purchase) have established a Croatian company.

My solicitor has just dropped the throwaway line that we will need to appoint a bookeeper at a rate of around 2800 Euros per annum to compile monthly and annual financial reports.

Pardon? 2800 Euro a year? Surely some mistake Sir?

Can anyone offer informed comment? I would be surprised if we need to do more than get a Croatian accountant to submit annual accounts on our behalf (assuming we keep our own books). What should we be paying for this?

Thanks in advance ;D

[alsdoubles]

Hi all (no waves). Yes, do as the Croats do, learn the violin...FIDDLE. Cook the books. Work on the side. Adopt the Manuel from Fawlty Towers school of thought: "I know nothing."
Why be a target. What are you, BP? Enron?
Just earn, and fill in your own books. Coverered by 'a certain amount of paper.' Best way. And don't give out 'chitties' which all these shops appear to do. Earn!

[ChrisC]

We would be perfectly happy to keep our own books and make the necessary submissions to the Croatian authorities, provided this is acceptable under Croatian law. Does anyone have experience in this area?

[alsdoubles]

I am sorry I am speaking a language that no-one understands. But I am also quite used to that.
The thing is, although right might be the best way. The legal costs in finding out what is quite 'right' in Croatia, which version, could well outweigh your original investment plans. As the people you may be asking are also unsure of what right is. At any time or any moment.
There is NO investment potential in Croatai right now, for most people. It's all over blown by a few tv programs but, the reality on the ground is totally different. People make money here. End of story. It all is too complicated and takes too long.
But making a profit anywhere at any time is a universal language. IF you can speak it.
Yes. I have experience of it. But it takes time. I have only eight months. And I have not lost patience. Instant understanding may not be possible. And we are now out of season and everything is flat. Time to strike? No. But try. Learn for yourself. The answers to your questions would be best answered if you dip your toes in the water, and not sit back and dream for a failsafe.

[Wolfie]

Hi Chris,
Did you get a realistic answer to your question?
The amount you state sounds very high to me and as I am soon to be in the same situation I would be very interested to know.
Thanks.
W.

[lysa1]

I found way to pay 1200 euro par year.
Ayt beggining bookeeper asked me 2.400 euro per year, but when I assured him that I have small amount of papers to keep and that I will try to find another bookkeeper he agrred.
They are here very greedy.You could not notice it in beggining.
They think that we are all rich from abroad.
It is not easy to run company here. i regret hundred times my decision.

[Wolfie]

Hi lysa1,
Can you expand on your regrets regarding your business in Croatia? Did you run a company before?
Thanks,
Wolfie

[lysa1]

Problem is here that many times they have not payed and I have very small profit out of my business here.
Now I ask only money in advance.
Government asks enormous amounts of money if you employ additional person.
It is not easy to fire somebody, although they have very high rate of unemployment.
I had two employees who pretend to be sick. But they work something else during summer

[Bruno]

open "free business" or "slobodni obrt" for 1500kn or 200E, ypu pay 154kn taxes for 3 months.

thats not teory that i have check ;D