Why do public limited conpanies publish accounts but not private limited companies?
The clue is in the name – Public Limited Comapnies sell their shares to the general public and must be accountable to the general public. Private companies do not trade their shares openly and so only the members of the company need to know the financial situation. However, Companies Limited by Guarantee (those without shareholders) which are also charities have to make their accounts available to anyone.
