As of 1 April, new rules for preparing primary accounting documents will come into force in Ukraine. Businesses will be allowed to record services rendered and works performed on the basis of an invoice. Unlike an acceptance certificate, such a primary document will no longer need to state the positions and surnames of the responsible persons or be signed by the customer or lessee. This simplified approach will be available only where the relevant procedure is expressly provided for in the contract and only for services, works, and lease arrangements.

At the same time, this simplified documentation model will not apply to transactions:

• financed from the state or local budgets;

• involving the lease of state- or municipally owned property;

• related to construction contracts;

• involving design and survey works;

• involving donations or humanitarian aid.

For these types of transactions, accounting treatment, as is currently the case, will remain possible only on the basis of acceptance certificates or similar documents signed by both parties.

For other transactions involving services, works, or lease arrangements, however, the parties will be free to choose how to document them: either by means of an acceptance certificate signed by both parties, or by an invoice signed solely by the service provider, contractor, or lessor.