Models for companies (standard – specific -consolidated)
Various annual account models are available for use by companies:
- The standard models are the default option.
- The specific models are intended solely for use by credit institutions, undertakings for collective investment, management companies of undertakings for collective investment, insurance companies and copyright collecting societies.
- Models have also been developed for consolidated annual accounts.
- Split filing is an exception available only to a very limited number of companies (that are not required to file their annual accounts with the National Bank of Belgium).
1. Standard models
The Code of Companies and Associations (CCA) introduced new models for annual accounts. The main change is that a distinction is now made between the models to be used by companies with share capital and those for use by companies without share capital.
XBRL format
TIP Filing in XBRL is preferred to PDF.
No paper filing!
ATTENTION Pursuant to the Code of Companies and Associations (CCA), the possibility to file annual accounts in paper form was abolished effective 1 January 2020.
Split filing
Standard models of annual accounts have been adapted to allow for split filing of annual accounts and other documents. It should be noted that split filing remains the exception to the rule. This option is provided further to the implementation of Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013.
Split filing is thus an option, not an obligation. A fee is charged for each separate filing, and, if applicable, the annual accounts must always be filed before any other documents.
For PDF filings, two tick boxes (one for annual accounts and one for other documents) appear on the cover sheet. For a standard (non-split) filing, both boxes should be ticked. For a split filing, only one of the boxes should be ticked.
Which model should your company use?
Which model should you use?
General rule
Pursuant to an opinion issued by the Accounting Standards Commission (CBN/CNC 2020/01), models must be used to file annual accounts:
- relating to a financial year ending after 31 December 2019;
- for companies established after 30 April 2019;
- for companies that have opted in [to the CCA] and whose new articles were published before the closing date of their financial year.
Type of model
The type of model to be used – full, abridged or micro – is determined based on the size criteria for companies.
Model for companies with or without share capital, based on the corporate form:
- New and existing corporate forms
| Company formed under Belgian law | Share capital | No share capital |
|---|---|---|
| Public limited company (NV/SA) | X | |
| Private limited company (BV/SRL) | X | |
| Cooperative society(CV/SC) | X |
| Company formed under EU law | Share capital | No share capital |
|---|---|---|
| European company (SE) | X | |
| European cooperative society (SCE) | X |
- Old corporate forms
Certain corporate forms were abolished effective 1 January 2020. Companies that have not yet been converted into one of the six remaining corporate forms (partnership, VOF/SNC, CommV/SComm, BV/SRL, CV/SC or NV/SA) must take the necessary steps to do so.
Companies with an “old” corporate form not included in the above table (e.g. BVBA/SPRL) that were incorporated before 1 May 2019 have until 1 January 2024 to amend their articles of association or – if the corporate form no longer exists – change their corporate form.
Affected companies that are required to file annual accounts must use a model for companies without share capital for financial years ending after 31 December 2019.
For financial years ending before 31 December 2019, they must file a model for companies with share capital.
European economic interest groupings (EEIG) formed under EU law may file a model for companies with or without share capital. Under EU rules, an EEIG does not need to be formed with share capital. The members are free to use other methods to fund the partnership. For more information on EEIGs, please see Council Regulation (EEC) No 2137/85 on the European Economic Interest Grouping.
Exception: Cooperative companies with limited liability (CVBA/SCRL): available in Dutch or French.
- Companies that are not required to file annual accounts:
- Partnerships
- Limited partnerships (CommV/SComm) and general partnerships (VOF/SNC) if
- all general partners are natural persons or
- they are considered a small business.
2. Specific models (e.g. for credit institutions, insurance companies, etc.)
Important note: only filings in a Belgian national language (Dutch, French or German) comply with the legal filing obligation. A filing in English can only be made as an additional filings.
When a specific model is used, the statutory or regulatory basis justifying the use of a different model must be mentioned on the cover sheet as follows:
Model for annual accounts derogating from that provided for by the Royal Decree of 29 April 2019:
- Credit institutions, undertakings for collective investment and management companies of undertakings for collective investment
- Scheme B (optional model)
- Dutch version and French version (Word 2021), in accordance with the Royal Decree of 29 August 2021 and NBB_Circular 2021_20 (NL-FR); the 2021 model is applicable at the latest as from the first financial year commencing after the entry into force of the RD, published on 07/09/2021.
- Amendments (NL-FR)
- How to select the correct model in the Filing application. Under “Select a model”, tick the option “Companies” and then “Specific model” and choose the model for “Credit institutions, undertakings for collective investment and management companies of undertakings for collective investment” from the drop-down list.
- Companies that wish to file another specific model should, depending on the size criteria:
- use the VOL-inst (Dutch) or C-ét (French) cover sheet for a full model and in the Filing application under “Select a model”, tick the option “Companies” and then “Specific model” and choose the model for “Credit institutions, undertakings for collective investment and management companies of undertakings for collective investment” from the drop-down list or
- use the VKT-inst (Dutch) or A-ét (French) cover sheet for an abridged model and in the Filing application under “Select a model”, tick the option “Companies” and then “Specific model” and choose the model for “Credit institutions, undertakings for collective investment and management companies of undertakings for collective investment: small business” from the drop-down list.
- For the publication of accounting information relating to Belgian branches which credit institutions, undertakings for collective investment and management companies of undertakings for collective investment governed by foreign law are required to disclose, the BOEKHOUDSTAAT_VOL (Dutch) or ÉTAT_COMPTABLE_C (French) cover sheet should be used for a full model. In the Filing application under “Select a model”, tick the option “Companies” and then “Specific model” and choose the model for “Credit institutions, undertakings for collective investment and management companies of undertakings for collective investment” from the drop-down list.
Depending on the size criteria, the BOEKHOUDSTAAT_VKT (Dutch) or ÉTAT_COMPTABLE_A (French) cover sheet may be used for an abridged model. If necessary, in the Filing application under “Select a model”, tick “Companies” and “Specific model” and choose the model for “Credit institutions, undertakings for collective investment and management companies of undertakings for collective investment: small business” from the drop-down list.
- Scheme B (optional model)
- Insurance companies (licensed)
- The model for insurance and reinsurance companies was established by the Royal Decree of 17 November 1994: available in Dutch and French.
For the most recent model, insurance companies can download the latest version of the printing tool at Assuralia’s statistics portal. The cover sheet (FRONTPAGE) of this tool has been modified and is now divided into three sections.You can find a copy of the model in Dutch here:
CPA_Annual_Account_NL.xls and
CPA_Annual_Account_NL.xlsm.
You can find a copy of the model in French here:
CPA_Annual_Account_FR.xls and
CPA_Annual_Account_FR.xlsm.Model to be used in the Filing application. Under “Select a model”, tick the option “Companies” and then “Specific model” and choose the model for “Insurance companies” from the drop-down list.
- Insurance companies that wish to use another model should, depending on the size criteria:
- use the VOL-ver (Dutch) or C-ass (French) cover sheet for the full model and in the Filing application under “Select a model”, tick the option “Companies” and then “Specific model” and choose the model for “Insurance companies” from the drop-down list or
- use the VKT-ver (Dutch) or A-ass (French) cover sheet for the abridged model and in the Filing application under “Select a model”, tick the option “Companies” and then “Specific model” and choose the model for “Insurance companies: small business” from the drop-down list.
- The model for insurance and reinsurance companies was established by the Royal Decree of 17 November 1994: available in Dutch and French.
- Copyright collecting societies
- A specific model for annual accounts is made available to copyright collecting societies by the Copyright Collecting Societies Inspectorate of the FPS Economy, in accordance with the Royal Decrees of 25.04.2014, 22.12.2017 and 29.09.2019.
A specific cover sheet - VOL-AUT (Dutch) and C-AUT (French) - is also provided. The Economic Law Code provides that copyright collecting societies cannot prepare their annual accounts according to the abridged model (Art. XI.248/9). - Below you can find links to:
- the model for financial year 2022: Jaarrekening NL 2022.xlsx (Dutch) and Comptes annuels FR 2022.xlsx (French);
- an Excel file on the specific breakdown of Section CB per operating year: Tabel uitsplitsing sectie Cb per exploitatiejaar.xlsx (Dutch) and Comptes annuels FR 2022.xlsx (French).
- Accounting guidelines with practical advice and useful definitions can be found on the website of the FPS Economy (available in Dutch and French).
- Annual report 2022 - Control service of copyright and related rights management companies (available in Dutch and French).
- Model to be used in the Filing application. Under “Select a model”, tick the option “Companies” and then “Specific model” and choose the model for “Copyright collecting societies” from the drop-down list.
- A specific model for annual accounts is made available to copyright collecting societies by the Copyright Collecting Societies Inspectorate of the FPS Economy, in accordance with the Royal Decrees of 25.04.2014, 22.12.2017 and 29.09.2019.
- Other models for companies (exceptions)
- These models may be used only in exceptional cases, with a mention on the cover sheet of the statutory or regulatory basis justifying the use of a special model.
- Depending on the size criteria, the company should:
Companies may make an additional filing in English and should use specific cover sheets for this purpose. Filings only in English do not fulfil the disclosure requirement.
Companies with a specific model should use a specific cover page for a full model or (in limited cases) a specific cover page for an abridged model, with a code adapted by company type:
| Type of company | Full model | Abridged model |
|---|---|---|
|
Credit institutions, undertakings for collective investment and management companies of undertakings for collective investment |
||
|
Insurance companies |
||
|
Copyright collecting societies |
|
|
|
Other models for companies (exceptions) |
3. Models for consolidated annual accounts
Since 2005, it has been required to draw up the consolidated annual accounts of listed companies in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Unlisted companies may choose to use these standards to prepare their consolidated annual accounts.
There is no standard model for consolidated annual accounts prepared in accordance with IFRS.
However, for unlisted companies preparing consolidated annual accounts in accordance with Belgian GAAP (BEGAAP), a model has been established by the National Bank of Belgium in cooperation with the Accounting Standards Commission (CBN/CNC). The use of this model is optional.
Regardless of the accounting standards used, all consolidated annual accounts filed with the NBB must be accompanied by a CONSO 1 cover sheet (available in Dutch and French).
The same CONSO 1 cover sheet must be used for the consolidated accounts of foreign companies.
A. Model for financial years ending AFTER 1 January 2020
This new model of consolidated annual accounts was approved by the CBN/CNC on 11 December 2019 and may be used for financial years ending as from 1 January 2020. This model is also intended for use by companies required to prepare and file their consolidated annual accounts for financial year 2019 in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Companies and Associations.
Dutch version:
French version:
B. Model for financial years commencing as from 1 January 2016 and ending before 1 January 2020
This model for consolidated accounts was approved by the CBN/CNC on 5 October 2016. It is intended for use by companies obliged to prepare and file their consolidated annual accounts in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Companies and Associations, for all financial years commencing as from 31 December 2015 and ending before 1 January 2020.
Dutch version:
French version:
4. Split filing
It is possible to use the Filing application to make a split filing of, on the one hand, annual accounts and, on the one hand, other documents to be filed pursuant to the Code of Companies and Associations, such as the annual report, the auditor’s report, the social balance sheet and other reports. For consolidated annual accounts, a split filing is not possible.
This possibility was introduced into national law further to the implementation of Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 (available in Dutch and French) on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of companies.
During the model selection process, the Filing application always mentions the possibility of a split filing. This option appears in brackets next to the model type:
- PDF-SPLIT-Full model company with capital (annual accounts)
- PDF-SPLIT-Full model company with capital (other documents)
- PDF-SPLIT-Full model company without capital (annual accounts)
- PDF-SPLIT-Full model company with capital (other documents)
The same applies to the abridged and micro model for companies with and without share capital.
NOTE Separate filing of other documents is only allowed if all documents are filed at the same time and the annual accounts have already been published (Art. 3:66 RD CCA)..
NOTE A fee must be paid per filing. A split filing is therefore more expensive than filing the annual accounts and other documents together.
NOTE Rectifications can be made by filing, as the case may be, the full, properly restated financial statements or other documents (Art.3:73 RD CCA).
NOTE Regulation (EC) No 2013/34/EU does not apply to associations and foundations. The possibility of a split filing is therefore not available to these types of entities.