Zwischenbilanz

Zwischenbilanz is a term used in German-speaking accounting and management to denote an interim balance sheet or interim assessment prepared at a date within a fiscal period, before the final year-end statements. It provides a snapshot of financial positions or project finances at that point and can serve as a basis for planning, decision-making, or reporting before the annual balance sheet.

In accounting practice, eine Zwischenbilanz presents provisional numbers for part of a financial year. It is often used for internal control, financing negotiations, or regulatory reporting and is typically prepared under the same accounting framework as the annual statements (for example HGB in Germany or IFRS/GAAP elsewhere). Under IFRS, interim financial reporting is governed by IAS 34, which outlines the principles for presenting interim period information. Zwischenbilanz results may be subject to audit or review depending on jurisdiction, company policy, and the purpose of the statement.

Typical content includes a balance sheet with assets, liabilities and equity, and sometimes an income statement, cash flow information, and commentary on significant variances to the budget or prior periods. The numbers are provisional and can be revised when the annual accounts are prepared.

Process and interpretation: a Zwischenbilanz is a planning and control instrument rather than a final statutory statement. It helps management and stakeholders monitor liquidity, performance, and milestones. Because it is not the final closure of accounts, discrepancies or changes are common and must be explained in accompanying notes.

Beyond finance, the term is also used in political or program contexts to describe a halfway evaluation of a government policy, project, or initiative.