GuV

GuV stands for Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung, a financial statement that shows a company's revenues and expenses over a defined period and derives the net result, usually a Jahresüberschuss or Jahresfehlbetrag. In German-speaking countries the GuV is a central element of annual financial statements and serves to assess profitability. It is the German-speaking counterpart to the income statement used in other accounting frameworks.

The purpose of the GuV is to illuminate the earnings power of the business, support budgeting and planning, and provide information for owners, management, lenders, and investors. Together with the balance sheet it offers insight into profitability, cost structure, and capital use.

Structure-wise, the GuV separates Erträge (revenues) from Aufwendungen (expenses). Typical items include Umsatzerlöse and other operating income under Erträge; and materials, personnel, depreciation, and other operating expenses under Aufwendungen. The difference yields Betriebsgewinn or Betriebsverlust. The GuV may also show the Finanzergebnis (financial income and expenses), followed by taxes, and finally den Jahresüberschuss or Jahresfehlbetrag after taxes.

Legal and standards context varies by country and company size. In Germany, the GuV is prepared according to national commercial law (HGB) and may be presented in different formats; IFRS or other standards may be used for consolidated or listed groups. Small businesses may use simpler tax-related formats such as Einnahmen-Überschuss-Rechnung (EÜR) instead of a full GuV. In Austria and Switzerland, similar terms and structures are used within respective accounting frameworks.

The GuV provides key indicators such as gross profit, operating profit, and net profit, and is commonly analyzed alongside margins and other performance metrics to evaluate financial health.