XBRL Filing Singapore: How to Ensure Data Completeness Before Submission

XBRL filing in Singapore doesn’t usually fail because numbers are wildly wrong. It fails because something is missing.

A missing disclosure.
An incomplete equity breakdown.
An unmapped account.
A comparative figure that doesn’t tie back properly.

Data completeness — not just accuracy — determines whether your XBRL submission goes through smoothly or triggers validation errors and rework.

Here’s how Singapore SMEs can ensure data completeness before submitting their XBRL filing to ACRA.

1. Start with a Fully Reconciled Trial Balance

Data completeness begins at the source.

Before generating financial statements:

• Confirm all bank accounts are reconciled
• Review receivables and payables
• Clear suspense accounts
• Validate loan balances and accruals
• Ensure total debits equal total credits

If the trial balance is incomplete or contains unresolved balances, gaps will carry into financial statements — and eventually into your XBRL file.

Monthly reconciliation reduces year-end surprises significantly.

2. Validate Equity and Retained Earnings Thoroughly

Equity is one of the most common areas where data completeness breaks down.

Before submission, confirm:

• Net profit flows correctly into retained earnings
• Dividend declarations are properly recorded
• Share capital matches ACRA records
• Opening balances align with prior-year filings

Missing or incomplete equity disclosures often cause structural validation failures.

Treat equity review as a separate, focused checkpoint.

3. Review Mandatory Disclosures Carefully

XBRL requires certain mandatory fields and disclosures.

Incomplete submissions may occur when:

• Required notes are omitted
• Certain financial elements are left unmapped
• Comparative data is missing
• Reporting periods are entered incorrectly

Before submission:

• Review ACRA’s required taxonomy elements
• Confirm that all applicable sections are populated
• Ensure non-applicable items are handled correctly (not left partially filled)

Completeness includes both numbers and structure.

4. Eliminate Unmapped Accounts

Every account in your financial statements must either:

• Be properly mapped to a taxonomy element
• Be intentionally excluded with clear justification

Unmapped accounts are a common cause of validation warnings.

A stable Chart of Accounts reduces ambiguity during mapping.

AI-powered bookkeeping systems like ccMonet help maintain structured account classifications year-round, making it easier to ensure all financial elements are properly accounted for before filing.

5. Cross-Check Comparative Figures

XBRL filings require prior-year comparatives.

Ensure:

• Prior-year figures match previously filed statements
• Opening balances tie exactly to prior-year closing balances
• Any restatements are properly documented

Comparative inconsistencies are often a completeness issue rather than a calculation issue.

6. Conduct a Pre-Submission Logical Check

Before generating the final XBRL file, verify:

• Assets equal liabilities plus equity
• Profit aligns with retained earnings movement
• Cash balances are consistent across statements
• Major balances are supported by documentation

This logical review ensures that your dataset is structurally complete.

7. Review Documentation for Major Balances

Data completeness also means traceability.

For significant figures, confirm:

• Supporting invoices exist
• Contracts or agreements are attached
• Loan schedules are available
• Dividend resolutions are documented

Incomplete documentation can create uncertainty even if figures are numerically correct.

8. Avoid Last-Minute Structural Changes

Making classification or structural changes immediately before submission increases the risk of overlooking data elements.

If adjustments are necessary:

• Update all related financial statements
• Revalidate equity movement
• Re-run completeness checks

Controlled changes preserve completeness integrity.

9. Run Incremental Validation — Not Just Final Validation

Instead of waiting until the final version to validate:

• Run XBRL validation after initial mapping
• Address early warnings
• Confirm corrections didn’t create new gaps

Incremental validation reduces the likelihood of discovering missing elements at the last minute.

Completeness Is a System Discipline

XBRL submission is not just about entering numbers correctly. It is about ensuring that:

• Every relevant financial element is included
• Every balance is reconciled
• Every comparative is aligned
• Every mandatory disclosure is addressed

When bookkeeping is structured, reconciled, and documented throughout the year, completeness becomes natural rather than forced.

If your SME wants fewer validation warnings and smoother filing cycles, strengthening financial structure before submission is the most effective approach.

👉 Learn more at https://www.ccmonet.ai/ and discover how AI-powered financial systems help Singapore SMEs maintain complete, structured, and compliance-ready data year-round.

‍