Jahresabschlüssen

Jahresabschlüsse are annual financial statements that summarize a company’s financial position and performance for a fiscal year. In German-speaking countries the term covers both the statutory accounts of a single entity (Einzelabschluss) and the consolidated accounts of corporate groups (Konzernabschluss). They provide an official record of assets, liabilities, equity, income, and expenses for the year and serve as a basis for internal and external assessments of the business.

Typically, a Jahresabschluss consists of the balance sheet (Bilanz), the income statement (Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung, GuV), and notes (Anhang). For larger companies a management report (Lagebericht) is required; for groups a Konzernabschluss is prepared. Small and micro enterprises may have simplified disclosures, with fewer notes or reduced requirements. In practice, the applicable standards and formats depend on the jurisdiction and the entity’s size and form.

Country-specific frameworks govern Jahresabschlüsse. In Germany the statutory accounts for corporations and partnerships are primarily regulated by the Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB). The Einzelabschluss usually includes Bilanz, GuV, and Anhang, with a Lagebericht for larger entities; the Konzernabschluss may be prepared under HGB or IFRS, especially for listed groups. In Austria, the Jahresabschluss is governed by the Unternehmensgesetzbuch (UGB), with consolidation rules for larger entities. In Switzerland the annual accounts follow the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR), with audit obligations varying by size and legal form.

Filing and publication requirements, audit obligations, and the use of Jahresabschlüsse—by shareholders, creditors, tax authorities, and regulators—vary by country and company size. They provide transparency, influence dividend decisions, and form the basis for tax assessments and financing decisions.