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openaccountants/skills/france-bookkeeping.md

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v10France
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1---
2name: france-bookkeeping
3description: >
4 Use this skill whenever asked about bookkeeping, chart of accounts, Plan Comptable Général (PCG),
5 financial statements, P&L format, balance sheet layout, bank reconciliation, expense classification,
6 asset capitalisation, or day-to-day accounting for a French entity. Trigger on phrases like "PCG",
7 "Plan Comptable", "chart of accounts France", "bilan", "compte de résultat", "micro-entreprise
8 accounting", "régime réel simplifié", "capitalise or expense France", "amortissement", "depreciation
9 France", "bank reconciliation France", "bookkeeping France", or any question about recording
10 transactions, classifying expenses, or preparing accounts under French law. ALWAYS read this skill
11 before touching any bookkeeping work for France.
12version: 1.0
13jurisdiction: FR
14category: bookkeeping
15depends_on:
16 - bookkeeping-workflow-base
17---
18 
19# France Bookkeeping Skill v1.0
20 
21---
22 
23## Section 1 -- Quick Reference
24 
25| Field | Value |
26|---|---|
27| Country | France (République française) |
28| Currency | EUR |
29| Financial year | Typically calendar year (1 Jan -- 31 Dec); companies may choose any 12-month period |
30| Accounting standards | PCG (Plan Comptable Général) — ANC Regulation 2014-03, reformed effective 1 Jan 2025 |
31| Governing body | ANC (Autorité des Normes Comptables); DGFiP (Direction Générale des Finances Publiques) |
32| Key legislation | Code de Commerce (Art. L123-12 to L123-28); Code Général des Impôts (CGI); PCG (ANC 2014-03 as amended by ANC 2022-06) |
33| Standard chart of accounts | PCG — mandatory structure with 7 classes of accounts; ~1,600 accounts (simplified from 2,000+ since 2025 reform) |
34| Record retention | 10 years for accounting records (Code de Commerce L123-22) |
35 
36---
37 
38## Section 2 -- Standard Chart of Accounts (PCG 2025)
39 
40The PCG mandates a hierarchical account structure. Accounts in bold are mandatory; accounts in italics are optional. All French entities subject to the PCG must use this structure.
41 
42### Classe 1: Comptes de Capitaux (Equity & Long-Term Financing)
43 
44| Code | Account | Notes |
45|---|---|---|
46| 101 | Capital social | Share capital |
47| 106 | Réserves | Legal reserve (5% of profit until 10% of capital) |
48| 108 | Compte de l'exploitant | Owner's equity (sole traders) |
49| 110 | Report à nouveau — créditeur | Retained earnings (credit) |
50| 119 | Report à nouveau — débiteur | Accumulated losses |
51| 120 | Résultat de l'exercice — bénéfice | Current year profit |
52| 129 | Résultat de l'exercice — perte | Current year loss |
53| 131 | Subventions d'investissement | Investment grants |
54| 151 | Provisions pour risques | Provisions for risks |
55| 164 | Emprunts auprès des établissements de crédit | Bank loans |
56 
57### Classe 2: Comptes d'Immobilisations (Non-Current Assets)
58 
59| Code | Account | Notes |
60|---|---|---|
61| 201 | Frais d'établissement | Formation costs (may capitalise or expense) |
62| 205 | Concessions, brevets, licences | Software licences, patents |
63| 2183 | Matériel de bureau et matériel informatique | Office and computer equipment |
64| 2184 | Mobilier | Furniture |
65| 213 | Constructions | Buildings |
66| 2154 | Matériel industriel | Industrial machinery |
67| 2182 | Matériel de transport | Vehicles |
68| 2181 | Installations générales, agencements | Leasehold improvements, general installations |
69| 28xx | Amortissements des immobilisations | Accumulated depreciation (contra-asset) |
70| 29xx | Dépréciations des immobilisations | Impairment provisions |
71 
72### Classe 3: Comptes de Stocks et En-Cours (Inventories)
73 
74| Code | Account | Notes |
75|---|---|---|
76| 31 | Matières premières | Raw materials |
77| 35 | Stocks de produits | Finished goods |
78| 37 | Stocks de marchandises | Merchandise for resale |
79| 39xx | Dépréciations des stocks | Stock provisions |
80 
81### Classe 4: Comptes de Tiers (Receivables & Payables)
82 
83| Code | Account | Notes |
84|---|---|---|
85| 401 | Fournisseurs | Trade payables |
86| 411 | Clients | Trade receivables |
87| 421 | Personnel — rémunérations dues | Salaries payable |
88| 43 | Sécurité sociale et organismes sociaux | Social security liabilities |
89| 44551 | TVA à décaisser | VAT payable |
90| 44562 | TVA déductible sur immobilisations | Input VAT on capital assets |
91| 44566 | TVA déductible sur autres biens et services | Input VAT on expenses |
92| 44571 | TVA collectée | Output VAT collected |
93| 455 | Associés — comptes courants | Directors' loan accounts |
94| 467 | Autres comptes débiteurs ou créditeurs | Sundry debtors/creditors |
95 
96### Classe 5: Comptes Financiers (Cash & Financial Instruments)
97 
98| Code | Account | Notes |
99|---|---|---|
100| 512 | Banques | Bank accounts |
101| 514 | Chèques postaux | Postal cheque accounts (La Banque Postale) |
102| 53 | Caisse | Cash in hand |
103| 58 | Virements internes | Internal transfers (clearing) |
104 
105### Classe 6: Comptes de Charges (Expenses)
106 
107| Code | Account | Notes |
108|---|---|---|
109| 601 | Achats de matières premières | Raw materials purchases |
110| 607 | Achats de marchandises | Merchandise purchases |
111| 6061 | Fournitures non stockables (eau, énergie) | Utilities |
112| 6063 | Fournitures d'entretien et petit équipement | Supplies and small equipment |
113| 6064 | Fournitures administratives | Office supplies |
114| 611 | Sous-traitance générale | Subcontracting |
115| 613 | Locations | Rent |
116| 6155 | Entretien et réparations | Repairs and maintenance |
117| 616 | Primes d'assurance | Insurance premiums |
118| 6226 | Honoraires | Professional fees (accountant, lawyer) |
119| 6231 | Publicité, publications | Advertising |
120| 6251 | Voyages et déplacements | Travel |
121| 6256 | Missions | Business trips |
122| 6257 | Réceptions | Entertainment / hospitality |
123| 626 | Frais postaux et télécommunications | Postage and telecoms |
124| 627 | Services bancaires | Bank charges |
125| 631 | Impôts, taxes et versements assimilés | Taxes (non-income) — CFE, CVAE |
126| 641 | Rémunérations du personnel | Salaries |
127| 645 | Charges de sécurité sociale | Employer social charges |
128| 6511 | Redevances pour concessions, brevets | Royalties |
129| 6611 | Intérêts des emprunts et dettes | Loan interest |
130| 6712 | Pénalités, amendes fiscales | Penalties — NOT deductible |
131| 681 | Dotations aux amortissements et provisions (exploitation) | Depreciation charge |
132 
133### Classe 7: Comptes de Produits (Revenue)
134 
135| Code | Account | Notes |
136|---|---|---|
137| 701 | Ventes de produits finis | Sales of finished goods |
138| 706 | Prestations de services | Service revenue |
139| 707 | Ventes de marchandises | Merchandise sales |
140| 708 | Produits des activités annexes | Ancillary revenue |
141| 7411 | Subventions d'exploitation | Operating grants |
142| 76 | Produits financiers | Financial income (interest) |
143| 77 | Produits exceptionnels | Exceptional income (asset disposals) |
144 
145---
146 
147## Section 3 -- Revenue Recognition
148 
149| Scenario | Treatment |
150|---|---|
151| **Default (PCG)** | Accruals basis — revenue recognised when goods delivered or service performed |
152| **Micro-entreprise (micro-BIC/BNC)** | No real revenue recognition — flat-rate deduction on turnover; simplified cash-basis bookkeeping |
153| **Régime réel simplifié** | Accruals basis with simplified filing (annual TVA, simplified liasse fiscale) |
154| **Régime réel normal** | Full accruals basis with monthly TVA declarations |
155| **Construction contracts** | Percentage-of-completion (avancement) or completed-contract (achèvement), per PCG Art. 622-2 |
156| **Advance payments** | Credit to 4191 (Clients — avances et acomptes reçus) until performance delivered |
157 
158### Turnover Thresholds (2025)
159 
160| Regime | Ventes (goods/accommodation) | Services (BIC) | BNC (professions libérales) |
161|---|---|---|---|
162| Micro-entreprise | ≤ EUR 188,700 | ≤ EUR 77,700 | ≤ EUR 77,700 |
163| Réel simplifié | EUR 188,701 -- 876,000 | EUR 77,701 -- 264,000 | N/A |
164| Réel normal | > EUR 876,000 | > EUR 264,000 | N/A |
165 
166Exceeding the micro threshold for 2 consecutive years triggers move to réel simplifié.
167 
168---
169 
170## Section 4 -- Expense Classification
171 
172| Expense Type | PCG Code | Tax Deductibility | Notes |
173|---|---|---|---|
174| Rent (professional premises) | 613 | Fully deductible | |
175| Utilities | 6061 | Fully deductible (business premises); apportion if home | |
176| Professional fees | 6226 | Fully deductible | |
177| Insurance | 616 | Fully deductible | Business insurance only |
178| Advertising | 6231 | Fully deductible | |
179| Travel | 6251 | Fully deductible | Business purpose; per-diem rates per barème fiscal |
180| Entertainment (réceptions) | 6257 | Deductible if reasonable and documented | No blanket block as in Malta, but must be justified |
181| Office supplies | 6064 | Fully deductible | |
182| Telecoms | 626 | Business portion deductible | Apportion if mixed |
183| Bank charges | 627 | Fully deductible | |
184| Loan interest | 6611 | Deductible (subject to thin-cap rules for companies) | |
185| Penalties and fines | 6712 | NOT deductible for tax | |
186| Depreciation | 681 | Deductible per fiscal rules | May differ from accounting depreciation |
187| Gifts to clients | 6234 | Deductible if reasonable; TVA not recoverable if > EUR 73 per recipient per year | |
188| CSG/CRDS (non-deductible portion) | 637 | Partially non-deductible | CSG déductible: 6.8%; CSG non-déductible: 2.4% + CRDS 0.5% |
189 
190---
191 
192## Section 5 -- Asset vs Expense Thresholds
193 
194### Capitalisation Threshold
195 
196| Rule | Amount | Treatment |
197|---|---|---|
198| **Fiscal tolerance (biens de faible valeur)** | ≤ EUR 500 HT per item | May be expensed directly (small equipment, office supplies, tools, software) |
199| **PCG accounting rule** | No formal minimum — capitalise if future economic benefit > 1 year | Accounting judgement applies |
200| **Above EUR 500 HT** | Must capitalise and depreciate | Immobilisation accounts (Classe 2) |
201 
202The EUR 500 HT tolerance applies only to: small tools, small office equipment, small furniture, and standard software. Other assets (even under EUR 500) must be capitalised if they have a useful life > 1 year.
203 
204### Standard Depreciation Rates (Amortissement Linéaire)
205 
206| Asset Category | Useful Life | Annual Rate | Notes |
207|---|---|---|---|
208| Commercial buildings | 20--50 years | 2--5% | Depending on type |
209| Leasehold improvements | Lease term or 10 years | 10% typical | |
210| Industrial machinery | 5--10 years | 10--20% | |
211| Motor vehicles | 4--5 years | 20--25% | |
212| Computer hardware | 3 years | 33% | |
213| Computer software | 1--3 years | 33--100% | Internally developed: 3 years |
214| Office furniture | 10 years | 10% | |
215| Office equipment | 5--10 years | 10--20% | |
216 
217### Declining Balance (Amortissement Dégressif)
218 
219Available for new assets with useful life ≥ 3 years (not buildings, vehicles, or furniture). Coefficients applied to straight-line rate:
220 
221| Useful Life | Coefficient |
222|---|---|
223| 3--4 years | 1.25 |
224| 5--6 years | 1.75 |
225| ≥ 7 years | 2.25 |
226 
227---
228 
229## Section 6 -- P&L Format (Compte de Résultat)
230 
231Since 2025, the PCG prescribes a single format — a vertical (en liste) income statement:
232 
233```
234COMPTE DE RÉSULTAT
235Exercice clos le [date]
236 
237PRODUITS D'EXPLOITATION
238 Chiffre d'affaires net xxx
239 Production stockée (variation) xxx
240 Production immobilisée xxx
241 Subventions d'exploitation xxx
242 Reprises sur provisions, transferts de charges xxx
243 Autres produits xxx
244 -----
245 TOTAL PRODUITS D'EXPLOITATION xxx
246 
247CHARGES D'EXPLOITATION
248 Achats de marchandises / matières (xxx)
249 Variation de stocks (xxx)
250 Autres achats et charges externes (xxx)
251 Impôts, taxes et versements assimilés (xxx)
252 Salaires et charges sociales (xxx)
253 Dotations aux amortissements et provisions (xxx)
254 Autres charges (xxx)
255 -----
256 TOTAL CHARGES D'EXPLOITATION (xxx)
257 
258 RÉSULTAT D'EXPLOITATION xxx
259 
260PRODUITS FINANCIERS xxx
261CHARGES FINANCIÈRES (xxx)
262 RÉSULTAT FINANCIER xxx
263 
264PRODUITS EXCEPTIONNELS xxx
265CHARGES EXCEPTIONNELLES (xxx)
266 RÉSULTAT EXCEPTIONNEL xxx
267 
268Impôts sur les bénéfices (xxx)
269 -----
270RÉSULTAT NET xxx
271```
272 
273The 2025 reform replaced the former "système de base", "système abrégé", and "système développé" with a single unified format. Mandatory accounts are in bold in the PCG; optional accounts may be added for detail.
274 
275---
276 
277## Section 7 -- Balance Sheet Format (Bilan)
278 
279The PCG prescribes a tabular (horizontal) balance sheet with assets on the left and equity/liabilities on the right. Since 2025, a single format applies — bilan en tableau avant répartition:
280 
281```
282BILAN AU [date]
283 
284ACTIF | PASSIF
285 |
286ACTIF IMMOBILISÉ | CAPITAUX PROPRES
287 Immobilisations incorporelles | Capital social xxx
288 Brut xxx | Réserves xxx
289 Amort/Dépréc. (xxx) | Report à nouveau xxx
290 Net xxx | Résultat de l'exercice xxx
291 Immobilisations corporelles | -----
292 Net xxx | xxx
293 Immobilisations financières |
294 Net xxx | PROVISIONS xxx
295 ----- |
296 xxx | DETTES
297 | Emprunts et dettes xxx
298ACTIF CIRCULANT | Fournisseurs xxx
299 Stocks xxx | Dettes fiscales et sociales xxx
300 Créances xxx | Autres dettes xxx
301 Disponibilités xxx | -----
302 ----- | xxx
303 xxx |
304 | PRODUITS CONSTATÉS D'AVANCE xxx
305CHARGES CONSTATÉES D'AVANCE xxx |
306 ----- | -----
307TOTAL ACTIF xxx | TOTAL PASSIF xxx
308```
309 
310---
311 
312## Section 8 -- Bank Reconciliation Patterns
313 
314### French Bank Statement Formats
315 
316| Bank | Format | Standard | Key Fields |
317|---|---|---|---|
318| BNP Paribas | QIF, CSV, OFX | CFONB/SEPA | Date, Libellé, Débit, Crédit, Solde |
319| Crédit Agricole | CSV, OFX | CFONB | Date opération, Date valeur, Libellé, Montant |
320| Société Générale | CSV, QIF | CFONB | Date, Libellé, Montant, Devise |
321| La Banque Postale | CSV, PDF | CFONB | Date, Nature, Libellé, Débit, Crédit |
322| Crédit Mutuel / CIC | CSV, OFX | CFONB | Date, Libellé, Débit, Crédit |
323| Qonto / Shine (néobanques) | CSV, API | Proprietary | Date, Tiers, Catégorie, Montant |
324 
325### Common French Transaction Descriptions
326 
327| Pattern | Likely Classification |
328|---|---|
329| VIR / VIREMENT | Bank transfer — check if income or expense |
330| PRLV / PRELEVEMENT | Direct debit — utility, insurance, social charges |
331| CB / CARTE | Card payment — check merchant name |
332| CHQ / CHEQUE | Cheque payment |
333| REM CHQ | Cheque deposit — potential income |
334| COTISATION | Social security contribution (645) |
335| URSSAF | Social charges — employer/self-employed (645) |
336| TRESOR PUBLIC / DGFIP | Tax payment (IS, TVA, CFE) |
337| LOYER | Rent payment (613) |
338| ECHEANCE PRET | Loan repayment — split principal (164) and interest (6611) |
339 
340---
341 
342## Section 9 -- Micro-Entity / Small Business Simplifications
343 
344### Size Categories (Code de Commerce)
345 
346| Criterion | Micro-entreprise (fiscal) | Petite entreprise | Moyenne entreprise |
347|---|---|---|---|
348| Revenue | ≤ EUR 77,700 (services) / 188,700 (goods) | ≤ EUR 12,000,000 | ≤ EUR 50,000,000 |
349| Balance sheet total | N/A | ≤ EUR 6,000,000 | ≤ EUR 25,000,000 |
350| Employees | N/A | ≤ 50 | ≤ 250 |
351 
352### Simplifications by Regime
353 
354| Requirement | Micro-entreprise | Réel simplifié | Réel normal |
355|---|---|---|---|
356| Bookkeeping | Cash receipts/payments journal only; no double-entry required | Full double-entry; simplified liasse | Full double-entry |
357| Financial statements | None required | Simplified bilan + compte de résultat | Full bilan + compte de résultat + annexe |
358| TVA | Franchise en base (no TVA charged, no returns) | Annual TVA + 2 interim payments | Monthly TVA declarations |
359| Income tax | Flat-rate deduction on turnover (micro-BIC: 71% goods / 50% services; micro-BNC: 34%) | Actual expenses deducted | Actual expenses deducted |
360| Liasse fiscale | Not required | Simplified (2033 series) | Full (2050 series) |
361| Annexe comptable | Not required | Simplified | Full |
362 
363### TVA Franchise en Base Thresholds (2025)
364 
365| Activity | Basic threshold | Enhanced threshold |
366|---|---|---|
367| Goods / accommodation | EUR 91,900 | EUR 101,000 |
368| Services | EUR 36,800 | EUR 39,100 |
369 
370Below basic threshold: TVA franchise. Between basic and enhanced: TVA franchise maintained unless exceeded in prior year. Above enhanced: immediate TVA registration.
371 
372---
373 
374## Section 10 -- Interaction with Tax Skills
375 
376| Tax Skill | How Bookkeeping Connects |
377|---|---|
378| **france-income-tax** | Résultat comptable from the compte de résultat is the starting point for the liasse fiscale. Non-deductible items (fines in 6712, excess depreciation, non-deductible CSG/CRDS) are added back on tableau 2058-A. |
379| **france-vat-return** | TVA accounts (44551, 44562, 44566, 44571) feed the CA3 or CA12 return. Net TVA payable = 44571 - (44562 + 44566). Reconcile monthly (réel normal) or annually (réel simplifié). |
380| **france-social-charges** | Employer social charges in account 645 and CSG/CRDS computations. Cotisations URSSAF, retraite complémentaire, prévoyance. Self-employed: cotisations SSI based on bénéfice net. |
381| **france-cfe-cvae** | CFE (Cotisation Foncière des Entreprises) and CVAE (Cotisation sur la Valeur Ajoutée) recorded in account 631. CVAE applies if revenue > EUR 152,500. |
382 
383---
384 
385## Disclaimer
386 
387This skill and its outputs are provided for informational and computational purposes only and do not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Open Accountants and its contributors accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from the use of this skill. All outputs must be reviewed and signed off by a qualified professional (such as an expert-comptable) before filing or acting upon.
388 

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About

Use this skill whenever asked about bookkeeping, chart of accounts, Plan Comptable Général (PCG), financial statements, P&L format, balance sheet layout, bank reconciliation, expense classification, asset capitalisation, or day-to-day accounting for a French entity. Trigger on phrases like "PCG", "Plan Comptable", "chart of accounts France", "bilan", "compte de résultat", "micro-entreprise accounting", "régime réel simplifié", "capitalise or expense France", "amortissement", "depreciation France", "bank reconciliation France", "bookkeeping France", or any question about recording transactions, classifying expenses, or preparing accounts under French law. ALWAYS read this skill before touching any bookkeeping work for France.

FRty-2025

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