Due to recent developments in information technologies, Portuguese companies are using the Internet to disclose accounting information through their Web sites. After presenting the advantages and eventual risks of this form of financial reporting and literature review, the Web sites of Portuguese listed companies were examined throughout March 2000 to February 2001, to determine which companies present financial information and whether the information provided is summarised, identical to the paper version of the annual report or is more detailed. In addition, we tested if there is significant difference between company size, industry type, overseas listings and the extent of financial disclosure on the Internet. We concluded Portuguese companies are starting to face positively this new way of financial reporting. Concerning the hypotheses tests performed we noticed that, likewise to what is happening in other countries, there is a positive correlation between company size and the existence of Web site and company size and financial information disclosed.
Financial Reporting; Internet; Advantages; Portuguese Companies Listed; Hypotheses tests
