1. Purpose of publication of the Accounting Directive (78/660/EEC)The Fourth Council Directive ((78/660/EEC) of 25 July 1978 requires all limited lability companies to prepare annual accounts. In conformity with its legal base, the Fourth Directive does not aim to achieve a complete standardisation of accounting rules. Its objective is rather the comparability and equivalence of financial information. The Directive therefore contains a large number of options for Member States or for companies, ...