Accountant for a limited company (AS)
A Norwegian AS carries formal duties a sole proprietorship does not: it must keep accounts, prepare annual accounts under the Accounting Act, file a shareholder register statement, and document dividends and capital changes properly. Greenleaf acts as accountant for limited companies across Norway and covers the whole chain – from ongoing bookkeeping to the year-end close and advice on dividends, loans and shareholder matters.
What does accounting for an AS cover?
Ongoing bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, customer and supplier ledgers, and the VAT return if the company is VAT registered. Payroll and the monthly employer's report are billed by time. The year-end close is priced separately and covers the annual accounts under the Accounting Act, the tax return with its business specification, and the company minutes. The shareholder register statement and changes at the Register of Business Enterprises are handled as needed.
Salary or dividend – which is better?
For an owner taking money out of the company, the choice between salary and dividend is one of the more consequential tax decisions. It depends on the company's result, your other income, your pension needs and what you are planning. We give you a worked calculation for your situation rather than a rule of thumb.
Holding structure and the participation exemption
A holding company can make it easier to build investment capital and separate risk from operations. Dividends and share gains between companies may fall under the participation exemption – but «tax free» is imprecise: the main rule for qualifying dividends is that 3 per cent is taken to income, which at 22 per cent corporate tax gives an effective rate of 0.66 per cent. Within a tax group, an exception applies to that 3 per cent rule. We work out whether a holding structure is actually right for you.
The shareholder register statement, and the rest of the annual duties
Every Norwegian AS files a shareholder register statement by 31 January following the income year, including in a year with no activity. From June 2026 it can no longer be filed on Altinn.no or on paper – it has to go through an end-user system. The tax return with its business specification is due 31 May, the ordinary general meeting must be held by 30 June, and complete annual accounts must reach the Register of Company Accounts by 31 July to avoid a late filing penalty.
The board still carries the responsibility
An accountant can do the work but does not take over the board's role. The board must ensure the business is properly organised and that the accounts and asset management are under adequate control. Where the company has a general manager, that person must ensure the accounts comply with the law, and must brief the board on the business, its position and its results at least every four months. The Companies Act also requires the company to maintain equity and liquidity that are sound given the risk and scale of the business. Ongoing reporting makes a negative trend easier to spot before it becomes critical.
Price for a limited company
Ongoing bookkeeping for a small AS starts at 1 100 NOK per month and follows the number of documents. The year-end close comes in addition, from 9 000 NOK per year, covering the annual accounts with notes, the tax return with its business specification and the minutes. Work outside the fixed price is billed at 900 NOK per hour. Larger or more complex companies get an individual quote. See Pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Does every AS need an accountant?
No. There is no duty to use an external accountant – but every AS must keep accounts and prepare annual accounts, so the work has to be done by someone. Accounting is compulsory; an external accountant is optional.
When does the company have to register for VAT?
When VAT-liable turnover and withdrawals pass 50,000 NOK in any twelve-month period – not the calendar year. Advance registration can be possible where the company has made large purchases before turnover begins.
What is the shareholder register statement?
An annual filing to the Tax Administration covering owners, capital and any changes in shareholdings during the year, due 31 January. From June 2026 it must be filed through an end-user system, not on Altinn.no or on paper. We handle it for our AS clients as separate administrative work by agreement.
How much dividend can I take?
It depends on the company's distributable equity, on equity and liquidity remaining sound after the distribution, and on the general meeting resolving it on the board's proposal or with its consent. Money sitting in the account is not on its own enough. We calculate the distributable capacity and look at the split between salary and dividend.
From scattered to in order
Send us a short description of the company and you will have a firm quote and a start-up plan within one business day.
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