COMPANIES ACT 2016
“profit and loss account” includes income and expenditure account, revenue account or any other account showing the results of the business of a corporation for a period;
Under the Companies Act 2016, the term profit and loss account is given a broad and inclusive meaning. It refers not only to a traditional profit and loss account, but also to any financial statement that reports the financial performance or operating results of a corporation during a particular accounting period, regardless of its title.
The Companies Act 2016 recognises that different types of corporations may use different names for their financial performance statement. Therefore, whether the statement is called a profit and loss account, income and expenditure account, revenue account, or any other similar title, it falls within this definition if it shows the financial results of the corporation for a specified period.
This approach ensures that the legal application of the Act depends on the substance of the financial statement, rather than the terminology adopted by the corporation.
Purpose of the Definition
The definition of profit and loss account serves several important purposes:
- Recognises different accounting terminologies used by various organisations.
- Ensures that financial reporting obligations apply regardless of the title of the financial statement.
- Promotes consistency in interpreting financial statements under the Companies Act 2016.
- Prevents corporations from avoiding statutory obligations by merely changing the name of a financial statement.
- Supports transparency and accountability in corporate financial reporting.
Meaning of a Profit and Loss Account
A profit and loss account is a financial statement that summarises the financial performance of a corporation over a specified accounting period.
It generally reports:
- income earned;
- revenue generated;
- operating expenses;
- finance costs;
- taxation;
- gains and losses; and
- the resulting profit or loss for the financial period.
The statement enables shareholders, directors, creditors, regulators, and other stakeholders to assess the corporation's operating performance.
Accounts Included Within the Definition
The Companies Act 2016 expressly includes the following.
1. Profit and Loss Account
This is the traditional financial statement prepared mainly by trading and commercial companies.
It summarises:
- sales revenue;
- cost of sales;
- gross profit;
- operating expenses;
- finance costs;
- taxation; and
- net profit or net loss.
2. Income and Expenditure Account
This form of account is commonly used by:
- clubs;
- societies;
- non-profit organisations;
- professional bodies; and
- associations.
Instead of measuring trading profit, it reports:
- income received;
- expenditure incurred; and
- the resulting surplus or deficit for the accounting period.
For the purposes of the Companies Act 2016, an income and expenditure account is treated as a profit and loss account.
3. Revenue Account
Certain specialised businesses may prepare a revenue account instead of a conventional profit and loss account.
Provided the account shows the financial results of the corporation during a particular period, it falls within the statutory definition.
4. Any Other Account Showing Business Results
The definition is deliberately broad and includes any other financial statement, regardless of its title, that reports the results of the corporation's business activities during a specified period.
Examples may include:
- statement of financial performance;
- statement of operations;
- operating statement;
- statement of surplus or deficit; or
- any equivalent financial performance statement.
Information Commonly Contained in a Profit and Loss Account
A profit and loss account generally includes:
- revenue;
- other operating income;
- cost of sales;
- gross profit;
- administrative expenses;
- selling and distribution expenses;
- finance costs;
- taxation;
- profit before tax;
- profit after tax; and
- comprehensive financial performance for the reporting period, where applicable.
The precise presentation depends on the applicable accounting standards.
Relationship with Financial Statements
The profit and loss account forms an important component of a corporation's financial reporting.
It is read together with:
- the statement of financial position (balance sheet);
- statement of changes in equity;
- statement of cash flows;
- notes to the financial statements; and
- directors' reports, where applicable.
Together, these documents provide a complete picture of the corporation's financial position and performance.
Importance to Stakeholders
A profit and loss account assists various stakeholders in evaluating the corporation.
Shareholders
To determine:
- profitability;
- dividend-paying capacity; and
- return on investment.
Directors
To evaluate:
- operational efficiency;
- financial performance;
- cost management; and
- strategic planning.
Creditors
To assess:
- financial stability;
- repayment capacity; and
- business sustainability.
Investors
To evaluate:
- earnings performance;
- future growth prospects; and
- investment risk.
Regulators
To ensure compliance with:
- the Companies Act 2016;
- approved accounting standards; and
- statutory financial reporting requirements.
Practical Examples
Example 1 – Manufacturing Company
ABC Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. prepares a profit and loss account showing:
- revenue of RM15 million;
- operating expenses of RM12 million; and
- net profit of RM3 million.
This statement constitutes a profit and loss account under the Companies Act 2016.
Example 2 – Recreational Club
A country club prepares an income and expenditure account showing:
- membership subscriptions;
- restaurant income;
- maintenance expenses; and
- an annual surplus.
Although the statement is not titled "profit and loss account," it falls within the statutory definition because it reports the club's financial results for the year.
Example 3 – Professional Association
A professional association prepares a statement of financial performance summarising its annual income and expenditure.
Despite the different title, the statement is treated as a profit and loss account because it shows the results of the organisation's operations during the accounting period.
Example 4 – Revenue Account
An entity engaged in a specialised business prepares a revenue account for the financial year.
As the account reports the financial results of the business, it is included within the statutory definition of a profit and loss account.
Compliance Requirements
Corporations should ensure that:
- financial performance statements are prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2016;
- the statements comply with the applicable approved accounting standards issued by the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board (MASB), where relevant;
- the financial statements present a true and fair view of the corporation's financial performance;
- proper accounting records are maintained to support the figures reported; and
- the financial statements are approved, audited (where required), and lodged or circulated in accordance with the Companies Act 2016.
Importance
The definition of profit and loss account is fundamental to the financial reporting framework established under the Companies Act 2016. By adopting an inclusive definition that extends to income and expenditure accounts, revenue accounts, and any other account showing the results of a corporation's business for a period, the Act ensures that statutory obligations apply based on the substance of the financial statement rather than its title. This promotes consistency, transparency, and comparability in corporate financial reporting while accommodating the differing accounting practices of commercial companies, non-profit organisations, and specialised entities. Ultimately, the profit and loss account provides shareholders, directors, creditors, regulators, and other stakeholders with essential information for evaluating a corporation's financial performance, profitability, and overall business sustainability.
《2016 年公司法》
“损益账”(Profit and Loss Account) 包括:
- 收入与支出账(Income and Expenditure Account);
- 收益账(Revenue Account);或
- 任何其他显示法人团体于某一期间内业务经营成果的账目。
根据《2016 年公司法》,损益账(Profit and Loss Account) 具有广泛及包容性的法律含义。
该术语不仅指传统商业公司所编制的损益账,也包括任何能够反映法人团体在某一特定会计期间内:
- 财务表现;
- 营运成果;
- 收入与支出;
- 盈余或亏损;以及
- 整体业务经营结果
的财务报表或账目,而不论该报表采用何种名称。
《2016 年公司法》承认,不同性质的法人团体可能采用不同的会计术语。例如:
- 商业公司通常使用“损益账”;
- 非营利组织可能使用“收入与支出账”;
- 特定行业或专业机构可能使用“收益账”;
- 其他组织亦可能使用“财务表现表”或“营运报表”等名称。
只要有关账目能够显示法人团体在某一期间内的业务成果,即属于本定义所指的损益账。
因此,《2016 年公司法》采用的是**重实质、轻形式(Substance over Form)**原则。有关账目是否属于损益账,取决于其内容及功能,而不是法人团体给予该账目的标题。
定义的目的(Purpose of the Definition)
《2016 年公司法》对损益账作出广义定义,主要具有以下目的:
- 承认不同类型组织所采用的会计术语;
- 确保财务报告责任不会因报表名称不同而受到影响;
- 统一《2016 年公司法》下对财务表现报表的解释;
- 防止法人团体仅通过更改报表名称规避法定义务;
- 提高企业财务报告的透明度及问责性;
- 确保不同性质法人团体的财务表现均受到适当监管;以及
- 为股东、董事、债权人、监管机构及其他利益相关者提供可靠的财务资料。
损益账的含义(Meaning of a Profit and Loss Account)
损益账是一份概括法人团体在特定会计期间内财务表现的财务报表。
该报表通常列明:
- 所赚取的收入;
- 所产生的营业收益;
- 销售成本;
- 营运开支;
- 行政费用;
- 销售及分销费用;
- 融资成本;
- 税务开支;
- 其他收益及亏损;以及
- 该财政期间最终产生的利润或亏损。
损益账有助于股东、董事、债权人、投资者、监管机构及其他相关人士评估法人团体的:
- 盈利能力;
- 经营效率;
- 成本控制;
- 偿债能力;
- 股息支付能力;
- 投资回报;以及
- 业务持续经营能力。
定义所涵盖的账目(Accounts Included Within the Definition)
《2016 年公司法》明确将以下账目纳入损益账的定义:
1. 损益账(Profit and Loss Account)
损益账是商业公司及营利性企业通常编制的传统财务表现报表。
一般包括:
- 销售收入;
- 销售成本;
- 毛利;
- 其他营业收入;
- 营运开支;
- 行政费用;
- 融资成本;
- 税务;
- 税前利润;
- 税后利润;以及
- 净利润或净亏损。
该报表主要用于反映公司在有关财政期间内是否取得盈利。
2. 收入与支出账(Income and Expenditure Account)
收入与支出账通常由以下组织采用:
- 俱乐部;
- 社团;
- 非营利组织;
- 专业团体;
- 协会;
- 慈善机构;以及
- 会员制组织。
此类账目通常并非以计算商业利润为主要目的,而是记录:
- 所收取的收入;
- 所发生的支出;以及
- 该会计期间产生的盈余或赤字。
尽管该报表的名称并非“损益账”,但就《2016 年公司法》而言,收入与支出账仍被视为损益账。
3. 收益账(Revenue Account)
某些特定行业、专业机构或特别性质的法人团体,可能使用收益账代替传统损益账。
只要该收益账显示法人团体在某一期间内的财务及经营成果,即属于本法所指的损益账。
4. 任何其他显示业务成果的账目(Any Other Account Showing Business Results)
该定义刻意采用广泛措辞,以涵盖任何名称不同,但实质上显示法人团体业务经营成果的财务报表。
可能包括:
- 财务表现表(Statement of Financial Performance);
- 营运表(Statement of Operations);
- 经营成果表(Operating Statement);
- 盈余或赤字表(Statement of Surplus or Deficit);
- 收入表(Income Statement);或
- 其他性质相同的财务表现报表。
因此,即使一份报表没有使用“损益账”这一名称,只要其功能是反映法人团体在某一期间内的经营成果,便属于法定定义范围。
损益账通常包含的资料(Information Commonly Contained in a Profit and Loss Account)
损益账一般包括以下项目:
- 营业收入;
- 其他营业收入;
- 销售成本;
- 毛利;
- 行政费用;
- 销售及分销费用;
- 雇员成本;
- 折旧及摊销;
- 融资成本;
- 其他收益或亏损;
- 税前利润;
- 所得税开支;
- 税后利润;
- 净利润或净亏损;以及
- 如适用,有关报告期间的其他全面收益。
具体列报格式将视适用的会计准则、法人团体性质及业务活动而定。
与财务报表的关系(Relationship with Financial Statements)
损益账是法人团体整体财务报告的重要组成部分,但通常不会单独使用。
在评估法人团体的整体财务状况时,损益账一般须与以下文件一并阅读:
- 财务状况表(Statement of Financial Position),亦称资产负债表;
- 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);
- 董事报告(Directors’ Report)(如适用);以及
- 审计师报告(Auditors’ Report)(如适用)。
这些文件共同提供有关法人团体:
- 财务状况;
- 财务表现;
- 现金流量;
- 股东权益变动;
- 会计政策;以及
- 重大财务风险
的完整资料。
损益账主要反映某一期间内的经营表现,而财务状况表则反映法人团体于某一特定日期的资产、负债及权益。
对不同利益相关者的重要性(Importance to Stakeholders)
股东(Shareholders)
股东可透过损益账评估:
- 公司是否盈利;
- 公司是否具备派发股息的能力;
- 投资回报是否理想;
- 经营表现是否改善;以及
- 管理层是否有效运用公司资源。
董事(Directors)
董事可利用损益账评估:
- 营运效率;
- 财务表现;
- 成本管理;
- 产品或服务的盈利能力;
- 预算执行情况;
- 业务风险;以及
- 未来战略规划。
损益账也是董事履行监督公司财务及经营情况职责的重要工具。
债权人(Creditors)
债权人可根据损益账评估:
- 法人团体的盈利稳定性;
- 偿还债务的能力;
- 利息支付能力;
- 业务可持续性;以及
- 提供信贷的风险。
然而,债权人通常亦须同时审阅现金流量表及财务状况表,因为账面盈利并不一定等同于拥有充足现金。
投资者(Investors)
现有或潜在投资者可利用损益账评估:
- 盈利趋势;
- 收入增长;
- 成本结构;
- 未来增长潜力;
- 投资回报;以及
- 整体投资风险。
监管机构(Regulators)
监管机构可根据损益账及其他财务报表,确认法人团体是否遵守:
- 《2016 年公司法》;
- 经批准会计准则;
- 法定财务报告要求;
- 审计要求;以及
- 文件提交及披露规定。
损益账的会计期间(Accounting Period)
损益账必须涵盖明确的会计期间,例如:
- 一个月;
- 一个季度;
- 半年;或
- 一个完整财政年度。
就法定财务报告而言,损益账通常涵盖公司的财政年度。
损益账应清楚列明:
- 会计期间的开始日期;
- 会计期间的结束日期;以及
- 比较期间的数据(如适用)。
这样可让使用者比较公司在不同时期的经营表现及趋势。
实务示例(Practical Examples)
例子一:制造公司(Manufacturing Company)
ABC Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. 编制损益账,显示:
- 收入:RM15,000,000;
- 营运开支及其他成本:RM12,000,000;以及
- 净利润:RM3,000,000。
该报表显示公司于有关财政年度内的业务成果,因此属于《2016 年公司法》所指的损益账。
例子二:康乐俱乐部(Recreational Club)
一家乡村俱乐部编制收入与支出账,列明:
- 会员订阅费收入;
- 餐厅收入;
- 活动收入;
- 维修费用;
- 员工费用;以及
- 年度盈余。
尽管该报表的标题不是“损益账”,但因其显示俱乐部于该年度内的收入、支出及财务成果,因此属于法定定义范围。
例子三:专业协会(Professional Association)
某专业协会编制一份“财务表现表”,概括其年度收入及支出。
尽管采用不同名称,该报表仍被视为损益账,因为其反映该组织于有关会计期间内的营运成果。
例子四:收益账(Revenue Account)
一家从事特殊业务的法人团体为有关财政年度编制收益账。
由于该账目显示其业务收入、开支及最终经营结果,因此属于《2016 年公司法》所定义的损益账。
例子五:公司将损益账改名(Different Title Used)
XYZ Sdn. Bhd. 将其年度财务表现报表命名为“营运成果报告”,而非“损益账”。
该报表载有收入、成本、开支、税务及净利润资料。
由于其内容实质上显示公司在有关期间的经营成果,因此仍属于损益账,公司不能仅凭更改报表名称而规避《2016 年公司法》的财务报告责任。
例子六:亏损公司(Loss-making Company)
DEF Sdn. Bhd. 于财政年度内取得 RM2,000,000 收入,但发生 RM2,500,000 开支,最终录得 RM500,000 净亏损。
即使公司没有盈利,该财务表现报表仍属于损益账,因为损益账不仅报告利润,也报告亏损。
真实与公允的财务表现(True and Fair View)
法人团体的财务报表,包括损益账,应按照适用法律及会计准则编制,并真实及公允地反映其财务表现。
这通常要求:
- 收入不得虚报;
- 开支不得隐瞒;
- 资产减值须适当确认;
- 负债及预计负债须合理记录;
- 交易须归入正确的会计期间;
- 会计政策须一致应用;以及
- 重大事项须在财务报表附注中适当披露。
如损益账存在重大虚假、误导或遗漏,可能导致:
- 财务报表不符合法定要求;
- 审计师发表保留意见或否定意见;
- 董事及高级人员承担法律责任;
- 股东或投资者作出错误决定;
- 税务申报出现问题;以及
- 监管机构采取执法行动。
合规要求(Compliance Requirements)
法人团体应确保:
- 财务表现报表按照《2016 年公司法》编制;
- 报表符合适用的经批准会计准则;
- 在适用情况下,遵守马来西亚会计准则理事会(Malaysian Accounting Standards Board,MASB)所颁布的财务报告准则;
- 损益账真实及公允地反映法人团体的财务表现;
- 保存充分、完整及准确的会计记录,以支持报表中的所有数字;
- 收入、开支、资产及负债被记录在正确的会计期间;
- 董事对财务报表进行适当审阅及批准;
- 在法律规定的情况下,由合资格审计师进行审计;
- 财务报表在法定期限内送交成员;
- 按《2016 年公司法》规定向有关监管机构提交或存档;以及
- 确保不同财务报表之间的数据保持一致。
未能遵守有关要求,可能导致:
- 财务报表被视为不合规;
- 公司及其高级人员被处以罚款;
- 审计意见受到影响;
- 法定文件提交延误;
- 股东或债权人提出法律申诉;或
- 其他民事、行政或刑事后果。
重要性(Importance)
“损益账(Profit and Loss Account)” 的定义,是《2016 年公司法》财务报告制度中的核心定义之一。
通过将以下账目一并纳入定义:
- 收入与支出账;
- 收益账;以及
- 任何其他显示法人团体于某一期间内业务成果的账目,
《2016 年公司法》确保法定财务报告义务取决于报表的实际内容及功能,而不是其名称。
这一广义定义的重要意义包括:
- 统一不同类型法人团体的财务报告责任;
- 配合商业公司、非营利组织、协会及特殊行业采用的不同会计术语;
- 防止法人团体透过更改报表名称规避法律规定;
- 提高财务资料的透明度及可比性;
- 加强董事及管理层对财务报告的问责;
- 为股东、债权人、投资者及监管机构提供重要决策资料;以及
- 支持对法人团体盈利能力、经营效率及业务持续性的合理评估。
损益账使利益相关者能够了解法人团体在某一期间内:
- 赚取了多少收入;
- 承担了多少成本及开支;
- 最终取得利润还是产生亏损;以及
- 其业务是否具备持续经营及创造经济价值的能力。
因此,损益账不仅是一份会计报表,也是衡量法人团体经营成果、管理表现、财务责任及长期可持续性的关键法律和商业文件。