der  Jahresabschluss

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈjaːɐ̯əsˌapʃlʊs/

📊 What Exactly is a Jahresabschluss?

Der Jahresabschluss (masculine) is the annual financial statement or annual accounts of a business according to German commercial law. It formally concludes a business year (Geschäftsjahr) and presents a company's financial position and performance.

Its main components typically include:

• The Bilanz (balance sheet: assets vs. liabilities and equity)
• The Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung (GuV) (profit and loss account / income statement: revenues vs. expenses)
• Potentially an Anhang (notes: providing additional explanations)
• Potentially a Lagebericht (management report: discussing the business performance and position)

⚠️ The obligation to prepare a Jahresabschluss and its specific requirements are legally defined, primarily in the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch - HGB).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Focus: Der Jahresabschluss

The noun "Jahresabschluss" is masculine. Its article is der.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Steuerberater prüft den Jahresabschluss sorgfältig.
   (The tax advisor carefully checks the annual financial statement.)
2. Die Veröffentlichung des Jahresabschlusses ist für viele Unternehmen Pflicht.
   (The publication of the annual financial statement is mandatory for many companies.)
3. Mit dem Jahresabschluss wird das Geschäftsjahr offiziell beendet.
   (The business year is officially concluded with the annual financial statement.)
4. Die wichtigsten Kennzahlen finden sich in den Jahresabschlüssen der letzten Jahre.
   (The most important key figures can be found in the annual financial statements of recent years.)

💼 How and When is "Jahresabschluss" Used?

The term Jahresabschluss is primarily used in commercial, accounting, and legal contexts in German-speaking countries.

• Companies (Unternehmen): Every company required to keep accounts (bilanzierungspflichtig) must prepare a Jahresabschluss at the end of its fiscal year.
• Authorities (Behörden): Tax authorities (Finanzämter) require the Jahresabschluss for tax assessment.
• Banks & Investors: They use the Jahresabschluss to assess a company's creditworthiness and profitability.
• Public: For corporations (Kapitalgesellschaften), the Jahresabschluss is often published in the Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger) to ensure transparency.

It serves as a crucial information tool about a company's economic health. Related phrases include "Bilanz ziehen" (to draw up the balance sheet) or "die Bücher abschließen" (to close the books).

💡 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Boss, who finalizes the year and signs off on der report (der Jahresabschluss). 'Abschluss' (conclusion, closing) feels like a definitive, masculine action.

Meaning Mnemonic: Jahres-Abschluss literally means 'Year's Conclusion'. Imagine closing the big book of the Jahr (year) with a final Abschluss (closing statement) summarizing everything financially.

🔄 Related and Contrasting Terms

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den Buchhalter: "Sind die Zahlen für den Jahresabschluss fertig?"
Antwortet der Buchhalter: "Ja, Chef! Ich habe drei Versionen erstellt. Welche möchten Sie sehen?"

(Translation: The boss asks the accountant: "Are the numbers for the annual financial statement ready?"
The accountant replies: "Yes, boss! I've prepared three versions. Which one would you like to see?")

📜 Poem for Year's End

Das Jahr verrinnt, die Arbeit ruht?
Nein, noch nicht ganz, es fehlt der Mut?
Die Zahlen müssen auf den Tisch,
sortiert, gebucht, ganz sauber, frisch.

Aktiva hier, Passiva dort,
Gewinn und Verlust, jedes Wort
muss stimmen auf den Cent genau,
der Jahresabschluss, klug und schlau.

Dann ist es vollbracht, das Werk,
ein wichtiger, finanzieller Berg.
Das alte Jahr, es ist passé,
Bilanz gezogen – Ojemine?

(Translation: The year flows by, does work now cease?
No, not quite yet, where is the peace?
The figures must be brought to light,
booked, sorted, clean, and fresh, and right.)

(Assets here, liabilities there,
Profit and loss, each word laid bare
must match down to the cent precisely,
the annual statement, smart and nicely.)

(Then it's accomplished, the great deed,
a financial mountain, sown the seed.
The old year now has passed away,
accounts all closed - Oh dear, dismay?)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich komme einmal pro Jahr, ganz offiziell,
zeige auf, ob's gut lief oder schlecht und schnell.
Ich bestehe aus Zahlen, klein und groß,
bin für Firmen ein Muss, gesetzlich und bloß.

Was bin ich?

(Translation: I come once a year, quite officially,
I show if things went well or badly, you see.
I consist of numbers, both small and large,
For companies I'm a must, by law's discharge.

What am I?)

Solution: Der Jahresabschluss (The annual financial statement)

🧩 Additional Information

Word Composition:

"Jahresabschluss" is a compound noun formed from:

• Jahr (Year): Refers to the 12-month period. The "es" is an interfix (Fugen-s).
• Abschluss (Conclusion, Closing, Statement): Here means the act of finishing, summarizing, the result.

Legal Framework (Rechtlicher Rahmen):

In Germany, the main regulations concerning the Jahresabschluss are found in the Third Book of the Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch - HGB, §§ 242 ff.). Additional or differing rules apply to specific types of companies (e.g., public limited companies - AGs, private limited companies - GmbHs).