verksamhetsåret

Verksamhetsåret is a term used in Swedish accounting and governance to denote the annual period during which an organization conducts its activities and prepares its financial statements. It is the period for which income statements, balance sheets and other financial information are compiled and presented in the annual report or årsredovisning. The concept is relevant for a wide range of legal forms in Sweden, including aktiebolag (limited liability companies), föreningar (associations), stiftelser (foundations) and ekonomiska föreningar (economic associations).

The duration of the verksamhetsåret is typically twelve months, but the end date can be chosen by the organization’s statutes or governing documents. Many entities align their verksamhetsår with the calendar year, ending on December 31, while others select a different year-end date to reflect the organization’s operating cycle or sector-specific requirements. In some cases, especially for new or reorganized entities, the initial or transitional period may be shorter or longer than twelve months, after which the year is regularized.

The end of the verksamhetsåret triggers the preparation and submission of the annual report and related statements. Depending on size and legal form, it may also entail audits or reviews by external auditors. The annual report typically includes a forvaltningsberättelse (board’s management report), income statement, balance sheet and notes, and is presented to the organization’s general meeting.

In practice, the verksamhetsåret provides a consistent time frame for comparing performance across years, planning budgets, and communicating financial results to stakeholders. It is distinct from, but closely related to, the term räknenskapsår (financial year) and to regulatory reporting requirements that follow the year-end.