A balance sheet is a financial statement that summarizes a company’s assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity at a specific point in time. It’s called a balance sheet because the two sides balance out. A company has to pay for all the things it has (assets) by either borrowing money (liabilities) or getting it from shareholders (shareholders’ equity). These three balance sheet segments give investors an idea as to what the company owns and owes, as well as the amount invested by the shareholders.
Types of items which appear under the liabilities side of a balance sheet
- Capital
- Sundry creditors
- Long term liabilities
- Advances from customers
- Loan from bank
- Outstanding expenses
- Mortgage
- Current liabilities
- Income received in advance
Types of items which appear under the assets side of a balance sheet
[table id=1 /]When must a balance sheet be made and submitted?
The submission of financial statements shall be in accordance with the rules and procedures prescribed by the Directors-General of the Revenue Department and the Department of Business Development.
A balance sheet must be made at least once every 12 months. Such 12-month period constitutes the company’s accounting period or financial year. A newly established company should close accounts within 12 months from its registration. This must be certified by a qualified external auditor and must be filed with the Revenue Department and Department of Business Development every year.
The balance sheet must be examined by one or more auditors and submitted for adoption to a general meeting within four months after its date. A copy of it must be sent to every person entered in the register of shareholders at least three days before the general meeting. Copies must also be kept open at the offices of the company during the same period for inspection by the shareholders.
Where the accounts or the documents relevant thereto are lost or damaged, the person having the duty to keep accounts shall notify the Chief Accounts Inspector or the Accounts Inspector of the loss or damage, in accordance with the rules and procedures prescribed by the Director-General, within 15 days from the date of knowledge thereof, or the date such loss or damage ought to have been known.
What happens upon failure to submit the audited financial statement on time?
The company’s annual financial statement must be filed, along with its annual income tax return, with the Revenue Department and Department of Business Development within 150 days after the end of its accounting period. If a company fails to submit its audited financial statement within the required time then the company is liable to a certain penalty or fine which may also be applicable to its responsible officer.