Norway

Financial Reporting Obligations for Companies in Norway

1. Registry for Submitting Financial Statements

In Norway, companies must submit their financial statements to the Brønnøysundregistrene ( https://www.brreg.no ), specifically to the Regnskapsregisteret (Register of Company Accounts). This is the official registry where annual reports are stored and made available to the public.

2. Legal Forms Required to Submit Financial Statements

Legal forms obligated to submit financial statements:

  • Aksjeselskap (AS) – Limited Liability Company
  • Allmennaksjeselskap (ASA) – Public Limited Company
  • Ansvarlig selskap (ANS) – General Partnership
  • Kommandittselskap (KS) – Limited Partnership
  • Samvirkeforetak (SA) – Cooperative Society
  • Foreninger og stiftelser – Associations and Foundations (if they engage in economic activity or meet thresholds)
  • Norskregistrert Utenlandsk Foretak (NUF) – Norwegian Registered Foreign Enterprise

Exempt or conditionally obligated forms:

  • Enkeltpersonforetak (EPF) – Sole Proprietorship: exempt unless revenue exceeds NOK 1 million or >5 employees.
  • Ansvarlig selskap med delt ansvar (DA) – General Partnership with Divided Liability: exempt unless thresholds exceeded.
  • Ideelle organisasjoner – Non-profit organizations: exempt unless significant economic activity.
  • Sameie – Co-ownership: exempt unless considered economic activity with significant turnover.

3. Audit Requirements for Financial Statements

Legal Form Audit Requirement Criteria
Aksjeselskap (AS) Audit required if thresholds exceeded (unless opted out) Turnover > NOK 6m, Assets > NOK 23m, Employees > 10
Allmennaksjeselskap (ASA) Always required No thresholds
Ansvarlig selskap (ANS) Audit required if partners not personally liable or thresholds exceeded Turnover > NOK 5m, Assets > NOK 20m, Employees > 10
Kommandittselskap (KS) Audit required if thresholds exceeded Turnover > NOK 5m, Employees > 5
Samvirkeforetak (SA) Audit required if thresholds exceeded Turnover > NOK 5m, Employees > 5
Foreninger og stiftelser Audit required if of public interest or thresholds exceeded Public interest or Turnover > NOK 5m
Enkeltpersonforetak (EPF) Not required unless thresholds exceeded Turnover > NOK 6m, Employees > 10
Norskregistrert Utenlandsk Foretak (NUF) Audit required if thresholds exceeded Turnover > NOK 5m, Employees > 5
Ideelle organisasjoner Required if significant activity or thresholds exceeded Turnover > NOK 5m

4. Stock Exchange for Listed Companies

Listed companies must publish financial statements on Oslo Børs ( https://www.euronext.com/nb/markets/oslo ).

5. Deadline for Submission

  • All companies: by 31 July following the financial year-end.

6. Partial Financial Statements

Norwegian law does not allow partial submission. All required entities must file full financial statements.

7. Consequences of Non-Submission

  • Daily fines until submission.
  • Striking off the register for persistent non-compliance.
  • Possible legal action initiated by creditors or authorities.

8. Foreign-Owned Branches and New Companies

  • Foreign-owned branches must file local accounts and parent statements.
  • New companies must submit from their first full financial year (deadline: 31 July following year-end).

Sources

Source Link
Brønnøysundregistrene (Register Centre) https://www.brreg.no
Regnskapsregisteret (Register of Company Accounts) https://www.brreg.no/lag-og-foreninger/regnskapsregisteret/
Oslo Børs (Oslo Stock Exchange) https://www.euronext.com/nb/markets/oslo
Revisorloven (Auditors Act) https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/1999-06-15-49
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