Årsregnskapet

Årsregnskapet is the annual financial statements required in Norway for most companies. It provides a formal summary of the company’s financial position at the end of the financial year and the result of operations for the year. It is used by owners, management, lenders, investors, and tax authorities to assess performance, liquidity, and solvency.

The legal framework is mainly the Norwegian Accounting Act (Regnskapsloven) and related regulations. Companies such as aksjeselskap (AS) and allmennaksjeselskap (ASA) are required to prepare an årsregnskap. Smaller entities may use simplified formats and may be exempt from certain disclosures or auditing requirements. For many companies, the annual accounts are accompanied by a management report (årsberetning) if they meet size or public-interest thresholds.

The core contents typically include the balance sheet (assets, liabilities, and equity), the income statement (revenues and expenses, resulting profit or loss), and notes that explain accounting policies, estimates, and detailed disclosures. In larger or IFRS-compliant setups, a cash flow statement and a statement of changes in equity may also be included, along with a more extensive note package.

Auditing and filing obligations vary by company size. Larger companies usually require an external audit by a registered auditor. After board approval, the årsregnskapet and, where applicable, årsberetning, must be prepared and filed with the Brønnøysundregistrene (often via Altinn) within a statutory deadline after the year-end. The statements also serve as the basis for tax reporting and regulatory oversight.

Users and stakeholders rely on the årsregnskapet for transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making regarding the company’s financial health.