Zwischenabschlüsse

Zwischenabschlüsse are interim financial statements prepared during a company’s financial year to cover a period shorter than the full year. They provide a snapshot of the financial position (assets, liabilities, equity) and performance (income and expenses) up to a specific date and commonly include a balance sheet and an income statement, sometimes supplemented by a cash flow statement and notes.

Purpose and use: They serve both internal and external needs. Management uses them for planning, performance monitoring, and liquidity management. Banks, investors, and regulators may use interim results for financing discussions, covenant monitoring, or informational purposes, while the statements can also feed into the preparation of the annual accounts.

Content and scope: Typical components are the balance sheet, the income statement, and often cash flows and selected notes. Figures are usually presented for the current period and, where applicable, compared with a prior period. In groups applying IFRS or IAS 34, interim reports follow specific guidelines for consistency and disclosure.

Legal and regulatory context: In German-speaking jurisdictions, the year-end financial statements (Jahresabschluss) are governed by the Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB). Zwischenabschlüsse are common practice in many companies but are not universally mandatory by statute. For listed companies or groups operating under IFRS, interim reporting obligations may be defined by securities laws or international standards, and interim statements may be subject to limited assurance or audit.

Relation to annual accounts: A Zwischenabschluss is not a substitute for the Jahresabschluss; it covers only part of the year and is typically used for planning, liquidity management, and external communication before the final year-end close.