COMPANIES ACT 2016
“financial statements” has the same meaning as set out in the approved accounting standards issued or approved by the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board under the Financial Reporting Act 1997 [Act 558];
Under the Companies Act 2016, the term "financial statements" adopts the meaning prescribed by the approved accounting standards issued or approved by the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board (MASB) pursuant to the Financial Reporting Act 1997 [Act 558].
Financial statements are a structured presentation of a company's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. They are prepared to provide shareholders, creditors, regulators, investors, and other stakeholders with reliable and relevant financial information for decision-making.
Companies are generally required to prepare their financial statements in accordance with the applicable accounting standards adopted by MASB.
Components of Financial Statements
Depending on the applicable accounting framework, a complete set of financial statements generally includes:
- Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet);
- Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income;
- Statement of Changes in Equity;
- Statement of Cash Flows;
- Notes to the Financial Statements, including significant accounting policies and explanatory information; and
- Comparative financial information for the preceding financial period, where required.
Purpose of Financial Statements
Financial statements are prepared to:
- Present the company's financial position;
- Report the company's financial performance for a financial period;
- Show the company's cash inflows and outflows;
- Assist shareholders and investors in making informed decisions;
- Enable creditors to assess the company's financial strength;
- Demonstrate compliance with statutory and accounting requirements; and
- Provide transparency and accountability in financial reporting.
Users of Financial Statements
Financial statements are commonly used by:
- Shareholders;
- Directors;
- Potential investors;
- Creditors and lenders;
- Auditors;
- The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM);
- Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN);
- Bank Negara Malaysia (where applicable);
- Government authorities; and
- Other stakeholders.
Practical Examples
Example 1 – Annual Financial Statements
ABC Sdn. Bhd. prepares its annual financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2026.
The financial statements include:
- Statement of Financial Position;
- Statement of Profit or Loss;
- Statement of Cash Flows;
- Statement of Changes in Equity; and
- Notes to the Financial Statements.
These documents together constitute the company's financial statements.
Example 2 – Loan Application
A company applies for a banking facility.
The bank requests the company's audited financial statements for the previous three financial years to evaluate its financial position and repayment capacity.
Example 3 – Shareholder Review
Before the Annual General Meeting (where applicable) or before approving the financial statements by written resolution, shareholders review the company's financial statements to understand its financial performance and profitability.
Applicable Accounting Standards
Companies are generally required to prepare financial statements in accordance with the accounting standards approved by the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board (MASB), which may include:
- Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards (MFRS);
- Malaysian Private Entities Reporting Standard (MPERS), where applicable; or
- Any other accounting standards approved by MASB for the relevant reporting entity.
The applicable reporting framework depends on the nature of the company and the relevant accounting requirements.
Compliance Requirements
Companies should ensure that their financial statements:
- Are prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2016;
- Comply with the applicable accounting standards approved by MASB;
- Present a true and fair view of the company's financial position and performance;
- Are supported by proper accounting records;
- Are approved by the Board of Directors before issuance; and
- Are audited where required under the Companies Act 2016.
Importance
Financial statements are one of the most important corporate reporting documents because they:
- Provide a true and fair representation of a company's financial position and performance;
- Promote transparency and accountability;
- Assist management, shareholders, and investors in making informed business decisions;
- Support regulatory and tax compliance;
- Facilitate access to financing and investment opportunities; and
- Enhance confidence in the company's financial reporting through compliance with the accounting standards approved by the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board (MASB) under the Financial Reporting Act 1997 [Act 558].
《2016 年公司法》
财务报表(Financial Statements)
根据《2016 年公司法》,“财务报表”(Financial Statements) 的定义,与**马来西亚会计准则委员会(Malaysian Accounting Standards Board,简称 MASB)依据《1997 年财务报告法》(Financial Reporting Act 1997 [Act 558])所发布或批准的认可会计准则(Approved Accounting Standards)**中的定义相同。
财务报表是对公司财务状况(Financial Position)、**财务表现(Financial Performance)及现金流量(Cash Flows)**所作出的系统化及结构化呈报。
财务报表旨在向股东、债权人、监管机构、投资者及其他利益相关者提供真实、可靠及具参考价值的财务资料,以协助其作出经济及商业决策。
一般而言,公司必须依据 MASB 所采纳及适用于公司的会计准则编制财务报表。
财务报表的组成(Components of Financial Statements)
根据适用的财务报告框架,一套完整的财务报表通常包括:
- 财务状况表(Statement of Financial Position / Balance Sheet,资产负债表);
- 损益及其他综合收益表(Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income);
- 权益变动表(Statement of Changes in Equity);
- 现金流量表(Statement of Cash Flows);
- 财务报表附注(Notes to the Financial Statements),包括主要会计政策及其他说明资料;以及
- 前一期比较财务资料(Comparative Financial Information)(如适用)。
财务报表的目的(Purpose of Financial Statements)
编制财务报表的主要目的包括:
- 反映公司的财务状况;
- 报告公司于有关财政期间的经营成果;
- 显示公司的现金流入及流出情况;
- 协助股东及投资者作出正确投资决策;
- 协助债权人评估公司的偿债能力;
- 证明公司符合相关法定及会计准则要求;以及
- 提高财务报告的透明度及企业问责制度。
财务报表的使用者(Users of Financial Statements)
财务报表通常供以下人士或机构使用:
- 股东(Shareholders);
- 董事(Directors);
- 潜在投资者(Potential Investors);
- 债权人及金融机构(Creditors and Lenders);
- 审计师(Auditors);
- 马来西亚公司委员会(SSM);
- 马来西亚内陆税收局(LHDN);
- 马来西亚国家银行(Bank Negara Malaysia)(如适用);
- 政府监管机构;以及
- 其他利益相关者。
实务示例(Practical Examples)
例子一:年度财务报表(Annual Financial Statements)
ABC Sdn. Bhd. 编制截至 2026 年 12 月 31 日止财政年度的年度财务报表。
其财务报表包括:
- 财务状况表(资产负债表);
- 损益表;
- 现金流量表;
- 权益变动表;以及
- 财务报表附注。
上述文件共同组成公司的完整财务报表。
例子二:银行融资申请(Loan Application)
某公司向银行申请融资。
银行要求公司提交过去三个财政年度的经审计财务报表(Audited Financial Statements),以评估公司的财务状况、盈利能力及偿债能力。
例子三:股东审阅财务报表(Shareholder Review)
于年度股东大会(如适用)召开前,或股东以书面决议批准财务报表前,股东会审阅公司的财务报表,以了解公司的经营成果、盈利能力及整体财务表现。
适用的会计准则(Applicable Accounting Standards)
公司一般须根据 MASB 批准的会计准则编制财务报表,包括:
- 马来西亚财务报告准则(Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards,MFRS);
- 马来西亚私人实体财务报告准则(Malaysian Private Entities Reporting Standard,MPERS)(如适用);或
- MASB 针对有关报告主体批准的其他适用会计准则。
公司应采用何种财务报告框架,取决于公司的性质及相关会计规定。
合规要求(Compliance Requirements)
公司应确保其财务报表:
- 按照《2016 年公司法》编制;
- 符合 MASB 批准的适用会计准则;
- 真实及公允地反映公司的财务状况及经营成果(True and Fair View);
- 具有完整及适当的会计记录作为依据;
- 于对外发布前获得董事会批准;以及
- 如《2016 年公司法》规定须接受审计,则依法完成审计程序。
重要性(Importance)
财务报表(Financial Statements) 是公司最重要的法定财务报告文件之一,其主要作用包括:
- 真实及公允地反映公司的财务状况及经营表现;
- 提高企业透明度及问责制度;
- 协助管理层、股东及投资者作出明智的商业决策;
- 支持公司履行法定及税务合规责任;
- 协助企业取得融资、投资及其他商业机会;以及
- 透过遵循《1997 年财务报告法》下 MASB 所批准的会计准则,提高财务报告的可信度及市场信心。
财务报表不仅是公司履行法定义务的重要组成部分,更是投资者、金融机构、监管机关及其他利益相关者评估企业经营状况及长期发展能力的重要依据。