| 释义 |
accounts
pl. n. Statements of a company’s financial position prepared annually. A company is under a duty to “keep adequate accounting records” in order to show the day-to-day entries of money received and expended by the company and the extent of its assets and liabilities (Companies Act 2006 s 386). The annual accounts consist of a balance sheet, a profit and loss account, a statement of total recognized gains and losses and, if required, a cash-flow statement. The accounts must present a “true and fair view” of the company’s financial position (Companies Act 2006 s 393) and, where appropriate, are to be kept in a form prescribed by the Act. Depending on the type of company, the accounts are accompanied by a directors’ report, a directors’ remuneration report, and an auditor’s report. A private company has nine months after the end of the company’s accounting reference period to file its accounts: a public company has six months after the end of that period (Companies Act 2006 s 442). Section 437 of the Act requires the directors of a public company to lay the accounts before a general meeting of the company. As a private company is not obliged under the Act to hold an annual general meeting, there is no general requirement to lay the accounts before a general meeting of a private company. Listed companies are additionally required to ensure the accounts (and reports) are available on a website (Companies Act 2006 s 430). Small and medium-sized companies can avoid the filing requirements relating to the accounts if they are exempt from audit and deliver abbreviated accounts (Companies Act 2006 s 444–45). Members are entitled to be sent copies of the accounts. See also books of account; summary financial statement. |