balance sheet / assessment
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balance sheet
A systematic statement that compares a company's assets (Aktiva) and liabilities (Passiva) on a specific reporting date.
Der Wirtschaftsprüfer kontrolliert die Bilanz des Unternehmens am Jahresende.
The auditor checks the company's balance sheet at the end of the year.
The word 'Bilanz' comes from the Italian word for scales ('bilancia'). This origin explains the basic idea: two sides are compared and weighed against each other—either assets and liabilities or successes and failures.
Am Ende des Jahres war die Bilanz des Projekts ausgeglichen.
At the end of the year, the project's assessment was balanced.
A very common fixed expression is 'Bilanz ziehen' (to take stock). It means to draw a conclusion or summarize and evaluate the results of something. The verb in this expression is always 'ziehen' (to pull/draw).
Nach seinem ersten Jahr im neuen Job zog er eine positive Bilanz.
After his first year in the new job, he took positive stock.
You can tell from the context whether the financial or the figurative meaning is intended. If it is about companies and money, it is the financial balance sheet. If it is about evaluating events or projects, it is the figurative meaning.
Der Steuerberater prüft die Bilanz der Firma.
The tax advisor checks the company's balance sheet.
In a financial context, 'Bilanz' is often used with the verbs 'erstellen' (to prepare), 'vorlegen' (to present), or 'prüfen' (to check/audit). Companies must regularly prepare a balance sheet.
Das Unternehmen muss bis Ende des Monats seine Bilanz für das letzte Geschäftsjahr vorlegen.
The company must present its balance sheet for the last fiscal year by the end of the month.
In the figurative meaning, 'Bilanz' is often combined with adjectives like 'positiv' (positive), 'negativ' (negative), 'gemischt' (mixed), or 'ernüchternd' (sobering) to evaluate a result.
Die persönliche Bilanz des Sportlers für diese Saison ist eher ernüchternd.
The athlete's personal assessment of this season is rather sobering.
evaluation / review
'Bewertung' and 'Bilanz' can both express that results are being assessed. 'Bewertung' is more general and can refer to individual performances, products, or situations. 'Bilanz' fits better when you summarize what was good and bad at the end of a project, a year, or a period of time. So you 'zieht eine Bilanz' (take stock) when you want an overall picture. A 'Bewertung' can also be just one individual judgment.
Am Ende des Projekts zog das Team eine positive Bilanz.
At the end of the project, the team took a positive view of the results.
Vor dem Termin liest Max die Bewertung des neuen Plans noch einmal.
Before the appointment, Max reads the evaluation of the new plan once more.