We Offer Strategic Legal Services
Monthly and Annual Accounting (Comprehensive Bookkeeping and Financial Compliance in France)
Ensure your company’s accounting is precise, compliant, and up to date. Our bilingual accountants and French corporate lawyers manage your monthly bookkeeping, VAT filings, payroll, and annual accounts, guaranteeing full legal compliance and transparent financial reporting — all year long.
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What is Monthly and Annual Accounting ?
Monthly and annual accounting are the two pillars of financial management for any French business. They involve the recording of daily operations (sales, purchases, payroll, taxes) and the preparation of official year-end accounts — the bilan, compte de résultat, and annexes — as required by French commercial law.
Monthly accounting ensures real-time visibility and compliance with VAT and social security obligations, while annual accounting provides a certified snapshot of your company’s financial health. Together, they form the foundation for sound decision-making, fiscal optimization, and credibility with banks, investors, and tax authorities.
Advantages:
Continuous compliance: your books and declarations are updated every month, avoiding year-end surprises.
Reliable financial reporting: your statements comply with the French Plan Comptable Général and legal filing standards.
Integrated payroll and tax filings: we handle salaries, VAT, and social contributions seamlessly.
Legal accuracy: every transaction is verified by accountants and lawyers trained in French business law.
Peace of mind: you stay focused on running your company while we ensure complete compliance from month to month and year to year.
Our method combines rigorous accounting standards with legal expertise, giving you a single, trusted partner for all financial formalities in France.
How We Manage Your Monthly and Annual Accounting in France?
Managing French accounting doesn’t have to be complex. With FrenchCo.lawyer, everything is handled by professionals — efficiently, transparently, and always in compliance with the Code de commerce.
Here’s how we support your company step by step:
Initial Setup and Review
We analyze your company’s activity, accounting structure, and tax regime (IS or IR). We then configure your chart of accounts and reporting framework according to French GAAP standards.
Monthly Bookkeeping
Each month, we process all accounting entries: sales, purchases, bank transactions, VAT, and payroll. You receive periodic reports and balance previews to track performance.
Payroll and Tax Declarations
Our accountants manage payroll slips, social contributions (URSSAF, pension funds), and all related declarations. VAT returns and tax prepayments are filed on time, every time.
Financial Reporting and Advisory
We produce monthly and quarterly summaries of your income, expenses, and cash flow. Our experts advise you on budgeting, tax optimization, and performance analysis.
Annual Accounts and Filing
At year-end, we finalize the balance sheet, profit and loss account, and management report, and handle filing with the Greffe du Tribunal de commerce and tax authorities.
Why Choose FrenchCo.lawyer?
Because we provide more than accounting — we deliver legal-grade compliance backed by registered French lawyers and qualified accountants. Every entry, declaration, and report is reviewed through both a legal and financial lens, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and full protection in case of audit or inspection. With us, you benefit from: A bilingual team mastering both law and accounting. Regular financial reports adapted to your activity. Predictable costs and no hidden fees. You focus on your business growth — we ensure your numbers and filings are always correct and compliant.
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What We Need From You to Manage Your Accounting Efficiently?
To take full charge of your monthly and annual accounting, we simply ask you to provide:
Company Identification
Your company’s Kbis extract, SIREN/SIRET numbers, and VAT registration.
Financial Documents
Monthly bank statements, invoices (sales and purchases), receipts, and payroll data.
Tax and Social Credentials
Access to your impots.gouv.fr and URSSAF accounts for secure submissions and monitoring.
Business Overview
Your sector of activity, volume of transactions, and accounting preferences (monthly/quarterly reporting).
And Then?
Once these elements are received, our team takes over entirely. We record, reconcile, declare, and file everything — from monthly VAT returns to annual financial statements — and keep you informed through clear, periodic updates.
Monthly and Annual Accounting – Simple Process, Clear Budget
Flat monthly fee starting from €249 excl. taxes*
Our comprehensive accounting service covers every essential aspect of your company’s financial management. It includes bookkeeping and VAT returns to ensure your records are always up to date, monthly financial reports to give you a clear view of your business performance, and the preparation of annual accounts and tax filings in full compliance with French regulations.
Additional services (on request): payroll management, consolidation, or cross-border tax compliance.
No hidden costs. No software reselling. Just professional expertise.
Our promise:
we are accountants and lawyers — not intermediaries.
We provide real expertise and compliant results.
Only genuine legal work carried out by qualified professionals
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Why Choose Us?
We Offer Lawyer-Led Accounting You Can Trust
Accurate and on-time reporting: From bookkeeping to annual filings, we keep your accounts precise and punctual.
Guaranteed compliance: All records meet French GAAP and tax law requirements.
Legal and accounting synergy: Our lawyers and accountants work together for seamless compliance.
Dedicated support: Clear, responsive communication in English and French.
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Understanding Monthly and Annual Accounting in France
Do foreign companies operating in France have to maintain French accounting records?
Yes.
Any company conducting regular business activity in France — whether incorporated locally or operating through a branch — must comply with French accounting obligations.
1. Permanent Establishments in France
Foreign companies with a permanent establishment (office, warehouse, or staff) are required to:
- Maintain French accounting books in euros and in French.
- Prepare and file financial statements according to the Plan Comptable Général (PCG).
- Declare and pay taxes on profits generated in France (corporate tax, VAT, and local business tax).
2. Occasional or Cross-Border Activities
Companies that provide services in France without a permanent base may still have VAT obligations and must often appoint a fiscal representative in France (mandatory for non-EU companies).
3. Subsidiaries Registered in France
Subsidiaries incorporated in France are treated as French legal entities. They must keep full accounting records, prepare annual accounts, and file them with the Commercial Court Registry (Greffe du Tribunal de commerce).
What are the main accounting obligations for French companies?
Every French company must keep accurate and regular accounting records under the Code de commerce and Plan Comptable Général (PCG). This includes:
- Daily bookkeeping: recording all transactions (sales, purchases, payroll, bank movements).
- Monthly and quarterly reporting: preparing trial balances, VAT declarations, and management reports.
- Year-end closing: producing the mandatory financial statements:
- Balance sheet (bilan)
- Income statement (compte de résultat)
- Annexes (notes annexes)
- Filing of annual accounts: submission to the Commercial Court Registry (Greffe) within one month of shareholder approval.
Digital bookkeeping is permitted provided the records are unalterable, time-stamped, and stored for at least 10 years.
What is included in monthly accounting management?
Monthly accounting ensures your company stays compliant and financially accurate throughout the year. It includes:
- Recording of accounting entries (sales, purchases, payments, receipts).
- Monthly bank reconciliation and verification of supporting documents.
- Preparation and submission of VAT returns (déclarations de TVA).
- Payroll accounting and social contribution declarations (URSSAF, pension funds, etc.).
- Interim financial reports to monitor performance and cash flow.
This ongoing process prevents discrepancies at year-end and provides visibility for financial decision-making.
What are the annual accounting obligations in France?
At the close of each fiscal year, companies must prepare and file a complete set of financial statements that reflect their true financial position.
1. Closing the Accounts
All accounts are reconciled: inventory, amortization, provisions, and accruals are recorded.
2. Financial Statements
Three core documents are produced:
- Balance sheet (bilan): assets, liabilities, and equity.
- Income statement (compte de résultat): revenues, expenses, and profit or loss.
- Annexes (annexes): detailed notes explaining the figures.
3. Management Report and Approval
Managers prepare a management report (rapport de gestion) to present financial results and forecasts. The annual accounts are approved by the sole shareholder or the general meeting within six months of the fiscal year-end.
4. Filing and Publication
The approved accounts are filed with the RCS (Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés).
Small entities may opt for confidential filing (dépôt confidentiel) to keep figures private.
Can a foreign company outsource monthly and annual accounting in France?
Yes.
Foreign-owned companies commonly outsource accounting and tax compliance to specialized firms. This ensures accurate translation of foreign financial data into French GAAP and compliance with all French filing requirements.
Outsourcing includes:
- Day-to-day bookkeeping and VAT filings.
- Payroll and social security declarations.
- Preparation of annual accounts and tax returns.
- Representation before French tax authorities (mandat fiscal).
This is particularly beneficial for foreign managers residing abroad, as it guarantees local compliance without physical presence.
Summary: Monthly and Annual Accounting in France
Aspect | Details |
Legal framework | Code de commerce & Plan Comptable Général |
Accounting frequency | Monthly (VAT, payroll) + Annual (balance sheet & filing) |
Tax rates | 15%/25% corporate tax, 20% VAT (standard) |
Reporting language | French |
Retention period | 10 years |
Filing deadline | 6 months after year-end |
Applicable to | All companies operating in France |
Best suited for | SMEs, foreign subsidiaries, and international entrepreneurs |
What is the difference between French accounting and IFRS?
French companies must follow French GAAP (Plan Comptable Général), except for listed entities that prepare consolidated accounts under IFRS.
Aspect | French GAAP (PCG) | IFRS |
Legal basis | Code de commerce & Autorité des normes comptables (ANC) | International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) |
Approach | Legal and tax-based | Economic and investor-oriented |
Application | All French entities | Listed companies for consolidated statements |
Objective | True and fair view for creditors & tax authorities | Transparency for investors & markets |
SMEs and subsidiaries of foreign groups often maintain dual reporting: French GAAP for legal filings and IFRS for group consolidation.
How does VAT accounting work in France?
VAT (Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée) is a cornerstone of monthly accounting in France.
- Standard rate: 20%
- Intermediate: 10%
- Reduced: 5.5% or 2.1% for specific goods and services
Companies must:
- Collect VAT on sales invoices.
- Deduct VAT on purchases.
- Declare and pay the balance monthly or quarterly via impots.gouv.fr.
Errors or omissions in VAT reporting may trigger penalties up to 10%–80% depending on intent.
When must annual accounts be filed in France?
Annual accounts must be:
- Approved by the shareholder(s) within 6 months after the end of the fiscal year.
- Filed with the Commercial Court Registry within 1 month after approval (or 2 months if filed electronically).
Failure to meet these deadlines exposes managers to fines of up to €1,500 per year and possible legal action from the Commercial Court.
Who is authorized to manage company accounting in France?
Accounting must be carried out by:
- A registered French accountant (Expert-Comptable); or
- The company’s internal accountant, if qualified; or
- A law firm working with a certified accountant (common for foreign subsidiaries).
Only registered professionals may sign official accounts. Using unregistered providers is illegal and may render accounts inadmissible in court or before tax authorities.
What taxes arise from monthly and annual accounting?
Through accounting management, companies calculate and declare several taxes, including:
- Corporate income tax (IS) – 15% on the first €42,500 of profit, 25% thereafter.
- VAT (TVA) – 20%, 10%, 5.5%, or 2.1% depending on activity.
- CFE (Cotisation Foncière des Entreprises) – annual local business tax.
- Payroll and social contributions – declared monthly.
- Dividend withholding tax – 30% flat tax on distributions to individuals, unless exemption applies.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with accounting obligations?
Failure to comply can result in severe financial and criminal sanctions:
Violation | Sanction |
Late VAT or tax filing | 10–40% surcharge + interest |
Absence of accounting records | Fines up to €500,000 and 5 years’ imprisonment |
Failure to file annual accounts | €1,500 fine + possible court order |
False entries or omissions | Tax reassessment + criminal liability |
Repeated non-filing | Removal from RCS (company struck off) |
Can accounting records be kept digitally in France?
Yes, provided the digital system guarantees:
- Inalterability of records (no modification after validation).
- Secure time-stamping of entries.
- Ten-year retention.
Electronic invoicing will become mandatory between 2026 and 2027, reinforcing transparency and traceability.
What are the benefits of outsourcing monthly and annual accounting?
- Compliance with French GAAP and tax law.
- Elimination of late filings and audit risks.
- Bilingual communication for foreign owners.
- Predictable, transparent pricing.
- Legal and financial oversight in one place.
This integrated approach ensures that your French company operates with full confidence in its financial data and regulatory compliance.
Have a Question?
Contact our French accounting lawyers for an Initial Free Consultation about your bookkeeping, VAT, or financial reporting needs.
More About Monthly and Annual Accounting in France
Can I outsource my accounting to you?
Yes. Our French lawyers and accountants handle bookkeeping, VAT returns, monthly reports, and annual tax filings for both French and foreign-owned companies.
What documents do you need?
We’ll need your company’s invoices, bank statements, payroll records, and previous year’s accounts, if any.
Do you handle VAT and tax compliance?
Absolutely. We prepare and file VAT returns, annual tax declarations, and financial statements in full compliance with French law.
Can you manage accounting remotely?
Yes. Our team provides secure online document sharing and digital reporting, so everything can be handled remotely.
What’s included in your accounting package?
Our service covers bookkeeping, monthly financial statements, and preparation of annual accounts and tax returns.
What are the typical fees?
Our packages are fixed and transparent, based on company size and transaction volume — no hidden costs.
Do you provide reports in English?
Yes, you’ll receive bilingual financial summaries and guidance to help you stay compliant and informed.
