Dear Friends, What is the difference between Pvt Ltd Co & Ltd. Co. in terms of:- 1. Balance sheet preparation 2. P & L Preparation 3. Accounting standards 4. Cash Flow preparation 5. Notes to accounts 6. other disclosure requirements
10 August 2024
The differences between a Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) and a Public Limited Company (Ltd) primarily arise from regulatory and disclosure requirements. Here’s a detailed breakdown of these differences:
### **1. Balance Sheet Preparation**
- **Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd):** - The balance sheet must comply with the Companies Act, 2013. - Generally, there is less stringent disclosure compared to public companies. - No requirement to publish the balance sheet in public domains or newspapers.
- **Public Limited Company (Ltd):** - The balance sheet must adhere to the Companies Act, 2013, and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulations if listed. - More extensive disclosure requirements. - Must be filed with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) and often published in annual reports which are publicly accessible.
### **2. Profit & Loss (P&L) Preparation**
- **Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd):** - Preparation follows the Companies Act, 2013, and applicable accounting standards. - The P&L account is less scrutinized compared to public companies. - Financial statements are usually filed with RoC and shared with shareholders but not publicly disclosed.
- **Public Limited Company (Ltd):** - The P&L account preparation follows the Companies Act, 2013, and additional compliance with SEBI regulations for listed companies. - Greater emphasis on detailed disclosures. - Must be included in public annual reports and disclosed to shareholders and regulatory bodies.
### **3. Accounting Standards**
- **Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd):** - Must follow the Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) based on company size and regulatory requirements. - Compliance with Ind AS is often applicable if the company meets specific criteria such as net worth and turnover.
- **Public Limited Company (Ltd):** - Required to follow Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) as per the Companies Act, 2013. - Stricter compliance due to regulatory oversight by SEBI for listed companies.
### **4. Cash Flow Preparation**
- **Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd):** - Cash flow statements are required as per the Companies Act, 2013 and accounting standards. - Less detailed compared to public companies.
- **Public Limited Company (Ltd):** - Detailed cash flow statements are mandatory, with more extensive disclosures. - Must comply with both the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI regulations if listed.
### **5. Notes to Accounts**
- **Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd):** - Notes to accounts are prepared in accordance with the Companies Act, 2013 and applicable accounting standards. - Generally less detailed.
- **Public Limited Company (Ltd):** - Detailed notes to accounts are required, including comprehensive disclosures about financial performance, risks, and other significant information. - SEBI regulations may impose additional disclosure requirements for listed companies.
### **6. Other Disclosure Requirements**
- **Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd):** - Disclosure requirements are less rigorous compared to public companies. - Basic information regarding financial performance, director’s report, and auditor’s report is provided. - Certain disclosures might not be required unless specified by the Companies Act, 2013.
- **Public Limited Company (Ltd):** - Extensive disclosure requirements including quarterly financial statements, annual reports, corporate governance reports, and compliance with SEBI regulations. - Detailed disclosures on executive remuneration, related party transactions, and risk management. - Greater transparency required due to the nature of public investment and shareholder interests.
### **Additional Key Differences**
- **Public Limited Companies** are subject to higher scrutiny due to public interest, require regular reporting, and must adhere to more rigorous compliance standards to ensure investor protection and market transparency.
- **Private Limited Companies** benefit from more flexibility and fewer compliance burdens, primarily because they do not engage in public fundraising or have public shareholders.
### **Summary**
In essence, while both Pvt Ltd and Ltd companies follow the Companies Act, 2013, and accounting standards, Ltd companies face more stringent disclosure and reporting requirements due to their public nature. Pvt Ltd companies have fewer requirements and a lower degree of public scrutiny.
CAclubindia
