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Index to Financial Statements

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

[Fee Required]

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

or

[No Fee Required]

For the transition period from                                  to                                 

Commission file number 0-18407

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND III, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act:

CLASS A UNITS

(Title of Class)

CLASS B UNITS

(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x    No ¨

Aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates:     Not Applicable

Index to Financial Statements

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-K of Wells Real Estate Fund III, L.P. (the “Partnership”) other than historical facts may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, as well as known and unknown risks, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Therefore, such statements are not intended to be a guarantee of our performance in future periods. Such forward-looking statements can generally be identified by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” or other similar words. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date this report is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Neither the Partnership nor the general partners make any representations or warranties (expressed or implied) about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from any forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K, and we do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Any such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and are based on a number of assumptions involving judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately. To the extent that our assumptions differ from actual results, our ability to meet such forward-looking statements, including our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations; provide distributions to limited partners; and maintain the value of our real estate properties, may be significantly hindered. Following are some of the risks and uncertainties, although not all risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those presented in certain forward-looking statements:

General economic risks

Real estate risks

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Index to Financial Statements

Other operational risks

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Index to Financial Statements

PART I

General

Wells Real Estate Fund III, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a Georgia public limited partnership with Leo F. Wells, III and Wells Capital, Inc. (“Wells Capital”), a Georgia corporation, serving as its General Partners (the “General Partners”). The Partnership was formed on July 31, 1988 for the purpose of acquiring, developing, constructing, owning, operating, improving, leasing, and managing income-producing commercial properties for investment purposes. The Partnership has two classes of limited partnership interests, Class A and Class B Units. The limited partners may vote to, among other things, (a) amend the partnership agreement, subject to certain limitations; (b) change the business purpose or investment objectives of the Partnership; and (c) add or remove a general partner. A majority vote on any of the above-described matters will bind the Partnership without the concurrence of the General Partners. Each limited partner unit has equal voting rights regardless of class.

On October 24, 1988, the Partnership commenced an offering of up to $50,000,000 of Class A or Class B limited partnership units ($1.00 per unit) pursuant to a Registration Statement filed on Form S-11 under the Securities Act of 1933. The offering was terminated on October 23, 1990 at which time the Partnership had sold approximately 19,635,965 Class A and 2,544,540 Class B Units representing capital contributions of $22,180,505 from investors who were admitted to the Partnership as limited partners.

Management believes that the Partnership would ideally operate through the course of the following five key life cycle phases. The time spent in each phase is dependent upon various economic, industry, market, and other internal/external factors. Some overlap naturally exists in the transition from one phase to the next.

The period during which the Partnership is raising capital through the sale and issuance of limited partner units to the public

The period during which the Partnership invests the capital raised during the fund-raising phase, less upfront fees, into the acquisition of real estate assets

The period during which real estate assets are owned and operated by the Partnership during the initial lease terms of the tenants

The period during which the leases in place at the time of acquisition expire and, thus, the Partnership expends time, effort, and funds to re-lease such space to existing and/or new tenants. Following the holding phase, the Partnership continues to own and operate the real estate assets, evaluate various options for disposition, and market the real estate assets for sale

The period during which the Partnership sells its real estate investments and distributes net sales proceeds to the partners

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Index to Financial Statements

Management believes that the Partnership is currently straddling the positioning-for-sale phase and the initial stages of the disposition and liquidation phase and, accordingly, is focusing significant resources on locating suitable replacement tenants and negotiating with prospective acquirers of properties owned through affiliated joint ventures.

Cash management is a chief area of focus for the Partnership. Historically, the Partnership has not taken out borrowings from third-party lenders and, while operating cash flows and net property sales proceeds are withheld to provide for known events from time to time, the Partnership does not maintain as a general rule cash reserves for unknown events. Instead, management prefers to maximize operating cash flows distributed to investors commensurate with the period earned; however, it is likely that during the positioning for sale phase, the Partnership will be required to use cash flow from operations and/or net sale proceeds from the sale of the Partnership’s properties, which would otherwise be available for distribution to limited partners, to fund tenant improvements, leasing commissions, and other leasing expenses in connection with the re-leasing of the Partnership’s properties. The Partnership’s cash needs evolve during the course of its life cycle and, accordingly, volatility in operating returns is a natural and expected part of the process.

Employees

The Partnership has no direct employees. The employees of Wells Capital and Wells Management Company, Inc. (“Wells Management”), an affiliate of the General Partners, perform a full range of real estate services including leasing and property management, accounting, asset management and investor relations for the Partnership. See Item 11, “Compensation of General Partners and Affiliates,” for a summary of the fees paid to the General Partners and their affiliates during the year ended December 31, 2003.

Insurance

Wells Management carries comprehensive liability and extended coverage with respect to the properties owned directly or indirectly by the Partnership. In the opinion of management, the properties are adequately insured.

Competition

The Partnership will experience competition for tenants from owners and managers of competing projects, which may include the General Partners and their affiliates. As a result, the Partnership may provide free rent, reduced charges for tenant improvements, and other inducements, all of which may have an adverse impact on results of operations. At the time the Partnership elects to dispose of its properties, the Partnership will also be in competition with sellers of similar properties to locate suitable purchasers for its properties.

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Index to Financial Statements

The Partnership owned a 100% interest in Greenville Center, an office building located in Greenville, North Carolina, until September 30, 2002. On this date, the Partnership sold Greenville Center to East Carolina University Real Estate Foundation, Inc., an unrelated third party, for a gross sales price of $2,400,000. As a result of this sale, the Partnership received net sales proceeds of $2,271,187 and recognized an impairment loss of $469,750 and additional loss on sale of $21,051.

During the periods presented, the Partnership owned interests in the following five properties through the affiliated joint ventures listed below (the “Joint Ventures”):

Each of the aforementioned properties was acquired on an all cash basis. The investment objectives of each of the joint venture partners listed in the above table are substantially identical to those of the Partnership. The Partnership does not have control over the operations of the Joint Ventures; however, it does exercise significant influence. Accordingly, the Partnership accounts for its investments in the Joint Ventures using the equity method of accounting.

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Index to Financial Statements

As of December 31, 2003, the lease expirations scheduled during each of the following ten years for all properties in which the Partnership held an interest through the Joint Ventures, assuming no exercise of renewal options or termination rights, are summarized below:

The Joint Ventures and properties in which the Partnership owns an interest during the periods presented are further described below:

Fund II-III Associates

On April 3, 1989, Fund II-III Associates was formed for the purposes of developing, constructing, operating, and selling commercial and industrial real properties. As of December 31, 2003, Fund II and Fund II-OW and the Partnership held equity interests of approximately 63% and 37%, respectively, in the following two properties based on their respective cumulative capital contributions to Fund II-III Associates:

Boeing at the Atrium

In April 1989, Fund II-III Associates acquired a four-story office building located on a 5.6-acre tract of land adjacent to the Johnson Space Center in metropolitan Houston, in the City of Nassau Bay, Harris County, Texas, known as Boeing at the Atrium.

In March 2002, Boeing/Shuttle Division (“Boeing”) entered into a lease for the top three floors of the four-story Boeing at the Atrium (94,203 sq. ft.) commencing on September 1, 2002 for approximately six years with annual base rent payable of $1,483,698. Boeing has since entered into the following three amendments: amendment #1 – to lease an additional 296 square feet with annual rent of $4,662, commencing October 1, 2002; amendment #2 – to lease an additional 11,515 square feet with annual rent of $181,365, commencing January 6, 2003; and amendment #3 – to lease an additional 10,449 square feet with annual rent of $164,572, commencing July 1, 2003. As of December 31, 2003, Boeing occupied 100% of this property.

The average effective rental rate per square foot at Boeing at the Atrium was $14.45 for 2003, $6.05 for 2002, $12.35 for 2001, $12.34 for 2000, and $12.35 for 1999.

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Index to Financial Statements

Brookwood Grill

On January 31, 1990, Fund II and Fund II-OW acquired a 5.8-acre tract of undeveloped real property at the intersection of Warsaw Road and Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell, Fulton County, Georgia (the “Brookwood Property”). On September 20, 1991, Fund II and Fund II-OW contributed its interest in this 5.8-acre parcel of land, along with its interest as landlord under the lease agreement referred to below, as a capital contribution to Fund II-III Associates. As of September 20, 1991, Fund II and Fund II-OW had expended approximately $2,128,000 for the land acquisition and development of the Brookwood Property. Once constructed the property became known as the Brookwood Grill.

In September 1991, a lease agreement was entered into with the Brookwood Grill of Roswell, Inc., which included the development of approximately 1.5 acres and construction of a 7,440-square-foot restaurant, which opened in March 1992. The terms of the lease call for an initial term of nine years and eleven months. Brookwood Grill entered into a ten-year extension after the initial lease term, which expires on February 29, 2012. Pursuant to the terms of the current lease, the tenant has the option to exercise two additional five-year renewal options upon expiration.

The average effective rental rate per square foot at the Brookwood Grill was $39.61 for 2003, $27.04 for 2002, $31.56 for 2001, and $30.22 for 2000 and 1999.

Fund II-III-VI-VII Associates

On January 10, 1995, Fund II-III-VI-VII Associates was formed for the purpose of developing, constructing, owning, and operating the Holcomb Bridge Property. As of December 31, 2003, Fund II-III Associates, Wells Real Estate Fund VI, L.P., and Wells Real Estate Fund VII, L.P. owned approximately 24%, 26%, and 50%, respectively, of the following property based on their respective cumulative capital contributions to Fund II-III-VI-VII Associates:

Holcomb Bridge Property

In January 1995, Fund II-III Associates contributed approximately 4.3 acres of the Brookwood Property, including land improvements, to Fund II-III-VI-VII Associates for the development and construction of two buildings containing a total of approximately 49,500 square feet. Upon construction, this property became known as the Holcomb Bridge Property.

As of December 31, 2003, four tenants occupied approximately 57% of the Holcomb Bridge Property, with two tenants, Bertucci’s Restaurant and American Trust Bancorp, occupying approximately 12% and 26% under leases for approximately 5,935 square feet and 12,786 square feet, respectively. The Bertucci’s Restaurant lease requires annual base rental payments of $127,850 and expires in February 2006. The American Trust Bancorp lease requires annual base rental payments of $140,646 and expires in July 2013. During 2003, occupancy of the Holcomb Bridge Property increased from approximately 60% to approximately 83%. Management is actively seeking replacement tenants for the vacant space at this property.

The average effective annual rental rate per square foot at the Holcomb Bridge Property was $12.92 for 2003, $12.97 for 2002, $17.07 for 2001, $17.55 for 2000, and $19.36 for 1999.

Fund III-IV Associates

On March 27, 1991, Fund III-IV Associates was formed for the purpose of developing, constructing, operating, and selling commercial and industrial real properties. As of December 31, 2003, the Partnership and Wells Real

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Index to Financial Statements

Estate Fund IV, L.P. owned equity interests of approximately 57% and 43%, respectively, in the following two properties based on their respective cumulative capital contributions to Fund III-IV Associates:

Stockbridge Village Shopping Center

On April 4, 1991, Fund III-IV Associates purchased 13.62 acres of real property located in Clayton County, Georgia, for the purpose of developing, constructing, and operating a shopping center known as the Stockbridge Village Shopping Center. The multi-tenant shopping center contains approximately 112,900 square feet, of which approximately 64,000 square feet is occupied by the Kroger Company (“Kroger”), a retail grocery chain. Kroger is the only tenant in occupancy of more than ten percent of the rentable square feet of this property. The Kroger lease is for an initial term of twenty years, commencing November 14, 1991, with an option to extend for four consecutive five-year periods at the same rental rate as the original lease. The annual base rent payable under the Kroger lease is $492,692. The remaining approximately 48,900 square feet are comprised of 16 separate retail spaces and three free-standing retail buildings.

The average effective annual rental rate per square foot at the Stockbridge Village Shopping Center was $11.58 for 2003, $11.32 for 2002, $11.82 for 2001, $11.29 for 2000, and $11.23 for 1999.

4400 Cox Road

On July 1, 1992, Fund III-IV Associates acquired the 4400 Cox Road, a two-story office building containing approximately 43,000 square feet located in Richmond, Virginia.

Management leased 100% of this building to the Reciprocal Group, an insurance company, on October 4, 2000 for a term of eight years, with rent commencing in February 2001. On January 29, 2003, a receiver was appointed for the Reciprocal Group, the sole tenant occupying 4400 Cox Road. The receiver was granted authority to take any and all actions deemed advisable to liquidate or rehabilitate the Reciprocal Group. As a result of the receivership proceedings, the Reciprocal Group has ceased issuing new or renewing existing insurance policies. Accordingly, the Reciprocal Group terminated its lease and vacated the premises effective July 31, 2003, and this property remains vacant.

The average effective annual rental rate per square foot at 4400 Cox Road was $5.20 for 2003, $13.45 for 2002, $12.83 for 2001, $3.07 for 2000, and $12.27 for 1999.

There were no material pending legal proceedings or proceedings known to be contemplated by governmental authorities involving the Partnership during the fourth quarter of 2003.

No matters were submitted to a vote of the limited partners during the fourth quarter of 2003.

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Index to Financial Statements

PART II

As of February 15, 2004, the Partnership had 19,635,965 outstanding Class A Units held by a total of 2,215 limited partners and 2,544,540 outstanding Class B Units held by a total of 243 limited partners. The capital contribution per unit is $1.00. There is no established public trading market for the Partnership’s limited partnership units, and it is not anticipated that a public trading market for the units will develop. Under the partnership agreement, the General Partners have the right to prohibit transfers of units.

Because fiduciaries of retirement plans subject to ERISA are required to determine the value of the assets of such retirement plans on an annual basis, the General Partners are required under the partnership agreement to report estimated unit values to the limited partners each year in the Partnership’s annual Form 10-K. The methodology to be utilized for determining such estimated unit values under the partnership agreement requires the General Partners to estimate the amount a unit holder would receive if the Partnership’s properties were sold at their estimated fair market values as of the end of the Partnership’s fiscal year and the proceeds therefrom (without reduction for selling expenses) were distributed to the limited partners in liquidation of the Partnership. Utilizing this methodology, the General Partners have estimated unit valuations, based upon their estimates of property values as of December 31, 2003, to be approximately $0.76 per Class A Unit and $0.76 per Class B Unit, based upon market conditions existing in early December 2003. In connection with the estimated property valuations, the General Partners obtained an opinion from David L. Beal Company, an independent MAI appraiser, to the effect that such estimates of value were deemed reasonable and were prepared in accordance with appropriate methods for valuing real estate; however, due to the inordinate expense involved in obtaining appraisals for all of the Partnership’s properties, no actual appraisals were obtained. Accordingly, these estimates should not be viewed as an accurate reflection of the values of the limited partners’ units, what a limited partner might be able to sell his units for, or the fair market value of the Partnership’s properties, nor do they represent the amount of net proceeds limited partners would receive if the Partnership’s properties were sold and the proceeds distributed in a liquidation of the Partnership. The valuations performed by the General Partners are estimates only, and are based on a number of assumptions which may not be accurate or complete. In addition, property values are subject to change and could decline in the future. Further, as set forth above, no appraisals have or will be obtained. For these reasons, the estimated unit valuations set forth above should not be used by or relied upon by investors, other than fiduciaries of retirement plans for limited ERISA reporting purposes, as any indication of the fair market value of their units.

Net proceeds available for distribution upon the sale of the Partnership’s properties are initially distributed equally to limited partners holding Class A Units and Class B Units on a per-unit basis until they receive a return of their initial capital contributions. See Note 1 to the financial statements included in this report for a more detailed description of the methodology for distributing net sale proceeds from the sale of the Partnership’s properties to the limited partners.

Class A Unit holders are entitled to an annual 8% non-cumulative distribution preference over Class B Unit holders as to distributions from Net Cash from Operations, as defined in the partnership agreement to mean Cash Flow, less adequate cash reserves for other obligations of the Partnership for which there is no provision, but are initially allocated none of the depreciation, amortization, cost recovery, and interest expense. These items are allocated to Class B Unit holders until their capital account balances have been reduced to zero.

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Index to Financial Statements

Cash available for distribution to the limited partners is distributed on a quarterly basis. Cash distributions were paid to limited partners holding Class A Units during 2002 and 2003 as follows:

Distributions were reserved from the first quarter of 2002 through the third quarter of 2002 in order to fund leasing commissions and tenant improvements related to the Boeing lease renewals described in Part I, Item 2 above. Fourth quarter 2003 distributions were accrued for accounting purposes in 2003 and paid to Class A limited partners in February 2004. No cash distributions were paid to holders of Class B Units in 2003 or 2002.

The following sets forth a summary of the selected financial data as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999:

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The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Selected Financial Data presented in Item 6 and our accompanying financial statements and notes thereto.

(a) Overview

Currently, management believes that the Partnership straddles the positioning for sale phase, and the initial stages of the disposition and liquidation phase. Upon investing all capital proceeds and exiting the investing phase, the Partnership owned interests in six properties directly or through interests in affiliated joint ventures. As of the date of this filing, three properties are substantially leased to tenants under renewed lease terms, one property is under contract to be sold, one property was sold in 2002, and one property, 4400 Cox Road, is vacant. Management will continue to pursue various re-leasing scenarios during 2004.

As the Partnership evolves through the life cycle detailed in Item 1, our most significant risks and challenges continue to evolve concurrently. During the positioning for sale phase, we will continue to focus on re-leasing vacant space and space that may become vacant upon the expiration of our current leases. In doing so, we seek to maximize returns to the limited partners by negotiating long-term leases at market rental rates while attempting to minimize downtime, re-leasing expenditures, ongoing property level costs and portfolio costs. As we embark further into the disposition and liquidation phase, our attention will shift to locating suitable acquirers, negotiating purchase-sale contracts that will attempt to maximize the total return to the limited partners, and minimize contingencies and our post-closing involvement with the acquirer.

During 2003, net loss decreased primarily due to the loss on the sale of Greenville Center in 2002, partially offset by the vacancy of 4400 Cox Road beginning in July 2003 and foregone income during the period in which Boeing at the Atrium was built–out during 2002 in connection with the new Boeing lease and amendments thereto. Cash flows remained relatively stable in 2003.

During 2004, the Partnership anticipates transitioning from the positioning for sale phase into the disposition and liquidation phase. Substantially all of our operating revenues are generated from the operations of the properties in the Partnership’s portfolio. On a quarterly basis, we deduct the expenses related to the recurring operations of the properties and the portfolio from such revenues and assess the amount of the remaining cash flows that will be required to fund known re-leasing costs and other capital improvements. Any residual operating cash flows are considered available for distribution to the limited partners and are generally paid quarterly. As further outlined in section (b) below, we anticipate deploying a portion of future operating cash flows to fund the costs necessary to re-lease 4400 Cox Road and to increase occupancy of the Holcomb Bridge Property.

Industry Factors

Our results continue to be impacted by a number of factors influencing the real estate industry.

General Economic and Real Estate Market Commentary

The U.S. economy appears to be recovering; however, thus far it has been a jobless recovery, and because of this, real estate office fundamentals may not improve until employment growth strengthens. The economy has shown signs of growth recently, as companies have recommenced making investments in new employees. Job growth is the most significant demand driver for office markets. The jobless recovery has resulted in a demand deficit for office space. In general, the real estate office market lags behind the overall economic recovery and, therefore, recovery is not expected until late 2004 or 2005 at the earliest, and then will vary by market.

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Index to Financial Statements

Overall, real estate market fundamentals are weak; however, capital continues to flow into the asset class. This increased capital drives the prices of many properties upward and investor returns downward. There is a significant pricing differential in underwriting parameters between well-leased assets with credit tenants and those with either existing vacancies or substantial near-term tenant rollover. Properties with long-term leases to strong credit tenants have seen an increase in value.

The office market has significant excess space. Vacancy levels are believed to be at or near their peak. There is some encouraging news, new construction continues to taper off, coming to a complete halt in many markets. As a result of the slow down in new construction and the modest decline in sublease space, net absorption has turned positive, although barely, at year-end. Many industry professionals believe office market fundamentals are bottoming-out; however, a recovery cannot be expected until job growth and corresponding demand for office space increases.

Wells Real Estate Funds with Current Vacancy or Near-term Rollover Exposure

Real estate funds, such as the Partnership, that contain properties with current vacancies or near-term tenant rollover may face a challenging leasing environment. The properties within these funds will face lower rents and higher concession packages to the tenants in order to re-lease vacant space.

From a valuation standpoint, it is generally preferable to either renew an existing tenant lease or re-lease the property prior to marketing it for sale. Generally, buyers will heavily discount their offering price to compensate for the existing or pending vacancies.

(b) Results of Operations

Gross Revenues

Gross revenues of the Partnership were $135,111, $291,761, and $611,187 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. The 2003 decrease from 2002, and the 2002 decrease from 2001, resulted primarily from the corresponding changes in equity in income of joint ventures as further described below. The results of operations of the Greenville Center, which was sold during 2002, are included in net loss from discontinued operations for all periods presented as further discussed below.

Equity In (Loss) Income of Joint Ventures – Continuing Operations

Gross Revenues of Joint Ventures

Gross revenues of the Joint Ventures increased in 2003, as compared to 2002, primarily due to an increase in occupancy at Boeing at the Atrium beginning the second half of 2002, partially offset by the vacancy at 4400 Cox Road owned by Fund III-IV Associates beginning in August 2003. Gross revenues decreased in 2002, as compared to 2001, primarily due to free rent absorbed by Fund II-III Associates during 2002 in connection with the new Boeing lease and amendments thereto as further discussed in Part I, Item 2.

Expenses of Joint Ventures

The expenses incurred by the Joint Ventures increased in 2003, as compared to 2002, primarily due to (i) additional operating costs for the Boeing at the Atrium as a result of the increase in occupancy beginning in the second half of 2002, and (ii) additional fixed operating costs resulting from the vacancy of 4400 Cox Road beginning in August 2003, as the previous tenant was generally required to directly pay all operating costs under the lease terms. Expenses decreased in 2002, as compared to 2001, primarily due to decreased operation expenses during the period in which Boeing at the Atrium was built-out during the first half of 2002 in connection with the new Boeing lease and amendments thereto.

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Index to Financial Statements

Equity In Income of Joint Ventures – Discontinued Operations

Equity in income of the Joint Ventures increased in 2003, as compared to 2002, primarily due to a decrease in depreciation expense as a result of classifying Stockbridge Village Shopping Center, which is owned by Fund III-IV Associates, as held for sale effective March 18, 2003. Equity in income of Joint Ventures from discontinued operations decreased in 2002, as compared to 2001, primarily due to a decrease in operating expense reimbursement billings to tenants of the Stockbridge Village Shopping Center. Tenants are billed for operating expense reimbursements based on estimates, which are reconciled in the following calendar year based on the actual costs incurred and terms of the corresponding tenant leases.

As a result of the aforementioned factors, equity in income of Joint Ventures was $111,833, $273,251, and $602,145 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

Expenses of the Partnership

Expenses of the Partnership were $145,273, $125,462, and $100,957 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. The 2003 increase from 2002, and 2002 increase from 2001, are primarily the result of an increase in legal and accounting fees and in partnership administration costs incurred in response to new reporting and regulatory requirements. We anticipate additional increases in such costs related to implementing and adhering to such reporting and regulatory requirements on a going forward basis. The 2002 increase from 2001 was also impacted by additional costs incurred during 2002 as a result of implementing Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 144 (“SFAS No. 144”) in connection with recording the sale of Greenville Center in 2002.

Net (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations

As a result of the aforementioned factors, net (loss) income from continuing operations was $(10,162), $166,299, and $510,230 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

Net Loss from Discontinued Operations

The Partnership adopted SFAS No. 144 effective January 1, 2002, which requires, among other things, that the operating results of real estate assets sold or held for sale subsequent to January 1, 2002 be included in discontinued operations in the statements of income (loss) for all periods presented, and to classify the carrying value of such assets as held for sale for all periods presented. The Greenville Center property was sold on September 30, 2002.

Condensed financial information for the Greenville Center included in discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of (loss) income, is summarized below:

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Index to Financial Statements

Net (Loss) Income of the Partnership

As a result of the aforementioned factors, net (loss) income of the Partnership was $(13,276), $(435,555), and $375,442 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

(c) Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

Net cash flows from operating activities were $(145,584), $(92,881), and $(44,035) for 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. The 2003 increase in cash flows used from 2002, and the 2002 increase in cash flows used from 2001, is primarily due to the increases in partnership expenses described above. The 2003 increase from 2002 is also impacted by a change in the timing of paying accounts payable.

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

Net cash flows from investing activities were $969,050, $2,571,078, and $678,733 for 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. The 2003 decrease from 2002 resulted primarily from (i) the receipt of net proceeds from the sale of Greenville Center in 2002, and (ii) a decline in contributions made to Joint Ventures in 2003 in order to fund the Partnership’s share of tenant build out costs related to the Boeing lease amendments discussed in Part I, Item 2. The 2002 increase from 2001 resulted primarily from receiving net proceeds from the sale of Greenville Center in 2002, partially offset by (i) additional contributions made to the Joint Ventures in order to fund lease-up costs for Boeing in 2002, as compared to contributions to fund the built-out of 4400 Cox Road in 2001, and (ii) a decrease in distributions received from Boeing at the Atrium and the Holcomb Bridge Property due to declines in average occupancy of these properties during 2002.

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

Net cash flows from financing activities were $(883,525), $0, and $(909,408) for 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. The 2003 increase in cash flows used from 2002, and the 2002 decrease from 2001, are primarily due to reserving cash flows otherwise distributable to limited partners in order to fund leasing commissions and tenant improvements related to the new Boeing lease in 2002.

Distributions

The Partnership made distributions to the limited partners holding Class A Units of $0.04, $0.01, and $0.05 per unit for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. Such distributions have been made from net cash from operations and distributions received from investments in joint ventures. No distributions have been made to the limited partners holding Class B Units or to the General Partners.

Sales Proceeds

The sale of Greenville Center generated net sales proceeds of approximately $2,271,000 to the Partnership. Upon evaluating the capital needs of the existing properties in which the Partnership holds an interest, the General Partners determined that reserves of approximately $959,000 will be required to fund costs anticipated to be required to re-lease the recently vacated 4400 Cox Road and fund costs associated with increasing the occupancy of the Holcomb Bridge Property. Thus, in accordance with the terms of the partnership agreement, the General Partners distributed the residual net sales proceeds in January 2004 of approximately $1,312,000 to the limited partners of record as of December 31, 2003, which under the partnership agreement does not include limited partners acquiring their units after September 30, 2003.

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Index to Financial Statements

Capital Resources

The Partnership is an investment vehicle formed for the purpose of acquiring, owning, and operating income-producing real properties and has invested all of its funds available for investment. Accordingly, it is unlikely that the Partnership will acquire interests in any additional properties. In the near term, the General Partners anticipate utilizing capital resources to fund the costs to re-lease 4400 Cox Road.

(d) Contractual Obligations and Commitments

On March 18, 2003, four Wells affiliated Joint Ventures (collectively, the “Seller,” defined below) entered into an agreement (the “Agreement”) to sell five real properties (the “Sale Properties,” defined below) located in Stockbridge, Georgia to an unrelated third party (the “Purchaser”) for a gross sale price of $23,750,000. Contemporaneously with the Purchaser’s execution and delivery of the Agreement to the Seller, the Purchaser paid an earnest money deposit of $250,000 to the designated escrow agent. The extended due diligence period expired March 8, 2004. The sale is expected to close during the month of April 2004.

(e) Related-Party Transactions

Management and Leasing Fees

In consideration for the management and leasing of the Partnership’s properties, the Partnership pays Wells Management, an affiliate of the General Partners, management and leasing fees equal to (a) 3% of the gross revenues for management and 3% of the gross revenues for leasing (aggregate maximum of 6%) plus a separate fee for the one-time lease-up of newly constructed properties in an amount not to exceed the fee customarily charged in arm’s-length transactions by others rendering similar services in the same geographic area for similar properties or (b) in the case of commercial properties which are leased on a long-term net basis (ten or more years), 1% of the gross revenues except for initial leasing fees equal to 3% of the gross revenues over the first

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Index to Financial Statements

five years of the lease term. The Partnership’s share of management and leasing fees and lease acquisition costs incurred through the Joint Ventures was $133,861, $110,520, and $184,541 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively, which were paid to Wells Management.

Administration Reimbursements

Wells Capital and its affiliates perform certain administrative services for the Partnership, such as accounting and other partnership administration, and incur the related expenses. Such expenses are allocated among the various Wells Real Estate Funds based on time spent on each fund by individual administrative personnel. During 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Partnership reimbursed $50,616, $42,383, and $38,847, respectively, to Wells Capital and its affiliates for these services.

Conflicts of Interest

The General Partners are also general partners of other Wells Real Estate Funds. As such, there may exist conflicts of interest where the General Partners in their capacity as general partners of other Wells Real Estate Funds may be in competition with the Partnership for tenants in similar geographic markets.

(f) Inflation

The real estate market has not been affected significantly by inflation in the past three years due to the relatively low inflation rate. However, there are provisions in the majority of tenant leases, which would protect the Partnership from the impact of inflation. These provisions include reimbursement billings for operating expense pass-through charges, real estate tax and insurance reimbursements on a per-square-foot basis, or in some cases, annual reimbursement of operating expenses above a certain per-square-foot allowance. However, due to the long-term nature of the leases, the leases may not reset frequently enough to cover inflation.

(g) Application of Critical Accounting Policies

The Partnership’s accounting policies have been established to conform with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. These judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. If management’s judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied, thus, resulting in a different presentation of the financial statements. Additionally, other companies may utilize different estimates that may impact comparability of the Partnership’s results of operations to those of companies in similar businesses.

Below is a discussion of the accounting policies that management considers to be critical in that they may require complex judgment in their application or require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. Additional discussion of accounting policies that management considers to be significant, including further discussion of the critical accounting policies described below, is presented in Note 1 to the Partnership’s financial statements included in this report.

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Investment in Real Estate Assets

The Partnership’s management is required to make subjective assessments as to the useful lives of its depreciable assets. The Partnership considers the period of future benefit of the asset to determine the appropriate useful lives. These assessments have a direct impact on net income. The estimated useful lives of the Partnership’s assets by class are as follows:

In the event that management uses inappropriate useful lives or methods for depreciation, the Partnership’s net income would be misstated.

Valuation of Real Estate Assets

Management continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of the real estate assets in which the Partnership has an ownership interest, either directly or through investments in joint ventures, may not be recoverable. When indicators of potential impairment are present which indicate that the carrying amounts of real estate assets may not be recoverable, management assesses the recoverability of the real estate assets by determining whether the carrying value of the real estate assets will be recovered through the undiscounted future operating cash flows expected from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. In the event that such expected undiscounted future cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, management adjusts the real estate assets to the fair value and recognizes an impairment loss.

The Partnership recognized an impairment loss of $373,750 on its investment in Greenville Center during the second quarter of 2002 and an additional impairment loss of $96,000 in the third quarter of 2002, both of which are included in the total loss on disposition in the accompanying statements of (loss) income. Management has determined that there has been no other impairment in the carrying value of real estate assets held by the Partnership to date.

Projections of expected future cash flows require management to estimate future market rental income amounts subsequent to the expiration of current lease agreements, property operating expenses, discount rates, the number of months it takes to re-lease the property, and the number of years the property is held for investment. The use of inappropriate assumptions in the future cash flow analysis would result in an incorrect assessment of the property’s future cash flows and fair value, and could result in the overstatement of the carrying value of real estate assets held by the Joint Ventures and net income of the Partnership.

(h)    Subsequent Events

As further described in section (c) above, on January 23, 2004, the General Partners distributed net proceeds from the sale of Greenville Center of $1,312,000 to the limited partners of record as of December 31, 2003, which under the partnership agreement does not include limited partners acquiring their units after September 30, 2003.

On March 19, 2004, Leo F. Wells, III and Wells Capital, the General Partners, as well as Wells Investment Securities, Inc., the dealer manager, Wells Management Company, Inc., the property manager, and Wells Real Estate Fund I (“Wells Defendants”) received notice of a putative class action complaint, which was filed in the

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Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia on March 12, 2004 (Civil Action File No. 04-A-2791 2). The complaint was filed by James Hendry, Karen Beneda, Robert Beneda, and William Mullin, as plaintiffs, purportedly on behalf of all limited partners holding Class B units of Wells Real Estate Fund I (“Wells Fund I”) as of January 15, 2003. The complaint alleges, among other things, that (1) Mr. Wells, Wells Capital, Wells Investment Securities, Inc. and Wells Fund I negligently and/or fraudulently made false statements and/or made material omissions in connection with the initial sale of the Class B units to investors of Wells Fund I by making false statements or omissions in the Wells Fund I sales literature relating to the distribution of net sale proceeds to holders of Class B units; (2) Mr. Wells, Wells Capital and Wells Fund I negligently and/or fraudulently misrepresented and/or concealed disclosure of, among other things, alleged discrepancies between such statements and the allocations in the partnership agreement for a period of time in order to raise money for future syndications and to delay such investors from taking any legal, equitable or other action to protect their investments in Wells Fund I; and (3) Mr. Wells, Wells Capital and Wells Fund I breached their fiduciary duties to the limited partners. The plaintiffs seek, among other remedies, the following: rescission of all class members’ purchases of Class B units and an order for a full refund of all money paid for such units together with interest; judgment against the Wells Defendants, jointly and severally, in an amount to be proven at trial; punitive damages; judicial dissolution of Wells Fund I and the appointment of a receiver to wind up and terminate the partnership; and an award to plaintiffs of their attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses. It is too early to predict what impact, if any, this matter may have on the General Partners of the Partnership.

Since the Partnership does not borrow any money or make any foreign investments, it is not subject to risks relating to interest rate or foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

The financial statements of the Registrant and supplementary data are detailed under Item 15(a) and filed as part of the report on the pages indicated.

There were no disagreements with the Partnership’s independent public accountants during the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.

On May 16, 2002, the General Partners dismissed Arthur Andersen LLP (Andersen) as the Partnership’s independent public accountants effective immediately.

Andersen’s report on the financial statements of the Partnership for the year ended December 31, 2001 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

During the year ended December 31, 2001 and through the date of Andersen’s dismissal, there were no disagreements with Andersen on any matter of accounting principle or practice, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to Andersen’s satisfaction, would have caused Andersen to make reference to the subject matter in connection with its report on the financial statements of the Partnership for such year and there were no reportable events as set forth in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

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On July 3, 2002, the Partnership engaged Ernst & Young, LLP (Ernst & Young) to audit the financial statements of the Partnership, effective immediately. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, and through the date of appointment of Ernst & Young as the Partnership’s independent public accountants, the Partnership did not consult Ernst & Young with respect to the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the financial statements of the Partnership, or any other matters or reportable events as set forth in Items 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.

The Partnership carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management of Wells Capital, the corporate General Partner of the Partnership, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures as to the end of the period covered by this report pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There were no significant changes in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting during the Partnership’s fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART III

Wells Capital

Wells Capital was formed in April 1984. The executive offices of Wells Capital are located at 6200 The Corners Parkway, Norcross, Georgia 30092. Leo F. Wells, III is the sole Director and the President of Wells Capital. Wells Capital was organized under the Georgia Business Corporation Code, and is primarily in the business of serving as general partner or as an affiliate to the general partner in affiliated public limited partnerships (“Wells Real Estate Funds”) and as the advisor to the Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Wells Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc. (“Wells REITs”), each a Maryland corporation which qualifies as a real estate investment trust. In these capacities, Wells Capital performs certain services for the Wells Real Estate Funds and the Wells REITs, including presenting, structuring, and acquiring real estate investment opportunities, entering into leases and service contracts on acquired properties, arranging for and completing the disposition of properties, and providing other services such as accounting and administrative functions.

Leo F. Wells, III

Mr. Wells, who serves as one of our General Partners, is the President, Treasurer, and sole director of Wells Capital, which is our corporate General Partner. He is also the sole stockholder, President, and sole director of Wells Real Estate Funds, Inc., the parent corporation of Wells Capital, Wells Management, Wells Investment Securities, Inc. (“Wells Investment Securities”), and Wells & Associates, Inc., a real estate brokerage and investment company formed in 1976 and incorporated in 1978, for which Mr. Wells serves as principal broker. He is also the President, Treasurer, and sole director of:

Mr. Wells is the President and a director of Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Wells Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc., which are both real estate investment trusts formed under Maryland law.

Mr. Wells was a real estate salesman and property manager from 1970 to 1973 for Roy D. Warren & Company, an Atlanta-based real estate company, and he was associated from 1973 to 1976 with Sax Gaskin Real Estate Company. From 1980 to February 1985 he served as Vice President of Hill-Johnson, Inc., a Georgia corporation engaged in the construction business. Mr. Wells holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in economics from the University of Georgia. Mr. Wells is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

On August 26, 2003, Mr. Wells and Wells Investment Securities entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) with the NASD relating to alleged rule violations. The AWC set forth the NASD’s findings that Wells Investment Securities and Mr. Wells had violated conduct rules relating to the provision of non-cash compensation of more than $100 to associated persons of NASD member firms in connection with their attendance at the annual educational and due diligence conferences sponsored by Wells Investment Securities in 2001 and 2002. Without admitting or denying the allegations and findings against them, Wells Investment Securities and Mr. Wells consented in the AWC to various findings by the NASD which are summarized in the following paragraph:

In 2001 and 2002, Wells Investment Securities sponsored conferences attended by registered representatives who sold its real estate investment products. Wells Investment Securities also paid for certain expenses of guests of the registered representatives who attended the conferences. In 2001, Wells Investment Securities

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paid the costs of travel to the conference and meals for many of the guests, and paid the costs of playing golf for some of the registered representatives and their guests. Wells Investment Securities later invoiced registered representatives for the cost of golf and for travel expenses of guests, but was not fully reimbursed for such. In 2002, Wells Investment Securities paid for meals for the guests. Wells Investment Securities also conditioned most of the 2001 conference invitations on attainment by the registered representatives of a predetermined sales goal for Wells Investment Securities products. This conduct violated the prohibitions against payment and receipt of non-cash compensation in connection with the sales of these products contained in NASD’s Conduct Rules 2710, 2810, and 3060. In addition, Wells Investment Securities and Mr. Wells failed to adhere to all of the terms of their written undertaking made in March 2001 not to engage in the conduct described above, and thereby engaged in conduct that was inconsistent with high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade in violation of NASD Conduct Rule 2110.

Wells Investment Securities consented to a censure and Mr. Wells consented to suspension from acting in a principal capacity with an NASD member firm for one year. Wells Investment Securities and Mr. Wells also agreed to the imposition of a joint and several fine in the amount of $150,000. Although he is temporarily prohibited from acting in a principal capacity with Wells Investment Securities, Mr. Wells continues to engage in selling efforts and other non-principal activities on behalf of Wells Investment Securities.

Financial Oversight Committee

The Partnership does not have a board of directors or an audit committee. Accordingly, as the corporate General Partner of the Partnership, Wells Capital has established a Financial Oversight Committee consisting of Leo F. Wells, III, as the Principal Executive Officer; Douglas P. Williams, as the Principal Financial Officer; and Randall D. Fretz, as the Chief of Staff, of the corporate General Partner. The Financial Oversight Committee serves the equivalent function of an audit committee for, among others, the following purposes: appointment, compensation, review and oversight of the work of our independent public accountants, and establishing and enforcing the code of ethics. However, as the Partnership and corporate General Partner do not have an audit committee and the Financial Oversight Committee is not independent of the Partnership or the General Partners, the Partnership does not have an “audit committee financial expert.”

Code of Ethics

The Financial Oversight Committee has adopted a code of ethics applicable to our corporate General Partner’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as well as the principal accounting officer, controller, or other employees of our corporate General Partner performing similar functions on behalf of the Partnership, if any. You may obtain a copy of this code of ethics, without charge, upon request by calling our Investor Services Department at (800) 557-4830 or (770) 243-8282

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ITEM 11.     COMPENSATION OF GENERAL PARTNERS AND AFFILIATES.

The following table summarizes the compensation and fees paid to the General Partners and their affiliates during the year ended December 31, 2003:

ITEM 12.     SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

No limited partner is known by the Partnership to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding units of the Partnership.

Set forth below is the security ownership of management as of February 15, 2004:

No arrangements exist which would, upon execution thereof, result in a change in control of the Partnership.

ITEM 13.     CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

The compensation and fees paid or to be paid by the Partnership to the General Partners and their affiliates in connection with the operation of the Partnership are as follows:

Interest in Partnership Cash Flow and Net Sale Proceeds

The General Partners receive a subordinated participation in net cash flow from operations equal to 10% of net cash flow after the Limited Partners have received preferential distributions equal to 8% of their adjusted capital contribution. For the year ended December 31, 2003, the General Partners did not receive any cash distributions. The General Partners also receive a subordinated participation in net sale proceeds and net financing proceeds equal to 15% of residual proceeds available for distribution after the limited partners have received a return of their adjusted capital contribution plus a 12% cumulative return on their adjusted capital contribution. The General Partners have not received any distributions of net cash flow from operations or net sale proceeds for the year ended December 31, 2003.

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Property Management and Leasing Fees

Wells Management, an affiliate of the General Partners, receives compensation for the management and leasing of the Partnership properties equal to 6% (3% management and 3% leasing) of rental income. For the year ended December 31, 2003, Wells Management’s compensation totaled $108,683 in management and leasing fees. In no event will such fees exceed the sum of (i) 6% of the gross receipts of each property, plus (ii) a separate one-time fee for initial rent-up or leasing-up of development properties in an amount not to exceed the fee customarily charged in arm’s-length transactions by others rendering similar services in the same geographic area for similar properties. With respect to properties leased on a net basis for a period of ten years or longer, property management fees will not exceed 1% of gross revenues from such leases, plus a one-time initial leasing fee of 3% of the gross revenues which are payable over the first five years of the term of such net leases.

Real Estate Commissions

In connection with the sale of Partnership properties, the General Partners or their affiliates may receive commissions not exceeding the lesser of (a) 50% of the commissions customarily charged by other brokers in arm’s-length transactions involving comparable properties in the same geographic area or (b) 3% of the gross sales price of the property, and provided that payments of such commissions will be made only after limited partners have received prior distributions totaling 100% of their capital contributions plus a 6% cumulative return on their adjusted capital contributions. The General Partners or their affiliates received no real estate commissions in 2003.

ITEM 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

Preapproval Policies and Procedures

The Financial Oversight Committee preapproves all auditing and permissible non-auditing services provided by our independent public accountants. The approval may be given as part of the Financial Oversight Committee’s approval of the scope of the engagement of our independent public accountants or on an individual basis. The preapproval of certain audit-related services and certain non-auditing services not exceeding enumerated dollar limits may be delegated to one or more of the Financial Oversight Committee’s members, but the member to whom such authority is delegated shall report any preapproval decisions to the full Financial Oversight Committee. Our independent public accountants may not be retained to perform the non-auditing services specified in Section 10A(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Fees Paid to the Independent Public Accountants

As indicated in Item 9 above, we engaged Ernst & Young to be our independent public accountants on July 3, 2002. The aggregate fees billed to the Partnership for professional accounting services, including the audit of the Partnership’s annual financial statements by Ernst & Young for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, are set forth in the table below.

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For purposes of the preceding table, the professional fees are classified as follows:

Since May 6, 2003, the effective date of the SEC Rules requiring audit committees to approve all services provided by independent public accountants, 100% of the services performed by Ernst & Young described above under the captions “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees,” and “All Other Fees” were approved in advance by a member of the Financial Oversight Committee.

PART IV

ITEM 15.     EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

TO

2003 FORM 10-K

OF

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND III, L.P.

The following documents are filed as exhibits to this report. Those exhibits previously filed and incorporated herein by reference are identified below by an asterisk. For each such asterisked exhibit, there is shown below the description of the previous filing. Exhibits which are not required for this report are omitted.

Index to Financial Statements

Index to Financial Statements

Index to Financial Statements

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Partners

Wells Real Estate Fund III, L.P.

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Wells Real Estate Fund III, L.P. (a Georgia public limited partnership) as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related statements of (loss) income, partners’ capital, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15(a) as of December 31, 2003 and 2002. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Wells Real Estate Fund III, L.P. at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

/s/    Ernst & Young LLP

Atlanta, Georgia

February 18, 2004

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WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND III, L.P.

                                                                       (A Georgia Public Limited Partnership)                                                                       

BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002

ASSETS

See accompanying notes.

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WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND III, L.P.

                                                                       (A Georgia Public Limited Partnership)                                                                       

STATEMENTS OF (LOSS) INCOME

FOR THE YEARS ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001

See accompanying notes.

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WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND III, L.P.

                                                                       (A Georgia Public Limited Partnership)                                                                       

STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

FOR THE YEARS ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002, AND 2001