Preparing, reviewing, or advising on annual financial statements (comptes annuels) for a French company.
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Built by Michael Cutajar and the OpenAccountants team. Written from the official sources it cites.
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Every figure is drawn from this Guide and cited to its source.
PCG as sole framework for individual accounts
The PCG is the sole framework for individual statutory accounts in France. IFRS cannot be used for individual company accounts filed with the greffe.
Threshold exceedance test
Must not exceed 2 out of 3 thresholds. Assessment based on the balance sheet date of the most recently closed financial year.
CAC appointment trigger
A company must appoint a CAC when it exceeds 2 of 3 thresholds at the close of a financial year.
Mandate duration
6 financial years (standard)
Mandate continuation despite threshold changes
Current mandates continue until expiry even if thresholds increase
Commissaire aux Comptes qualification
Commissaire aux Comptes inscrit on the official list held by the Compagnie Nationale des Commissaires aux Comptes (CNCC) and registered with the Haut Conseil du Commissariat aux Comptes (H3C).
Rendered from the canonical facts model. General reference only — confirm with a qualified professional before acting.
Quick Reference
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country | France (République française) |
| Currency | EUR |
| Filing authority | Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce (via Guichet Unique / Infogreffe) |
| Primary legislation | Code de Commerce, Articles L123-12 to L123-28 |
| Supporting legislation | Décret n° 2024-152 (size thresholds); Règlement ANC 2014-03 (PCG) |
| Accounting standards | Plan Comptable Général (PCG) — ANC Regulation 2014-03 |
| Financial year | Any 12-month period (calendar year most common) |
| Filing deadline | 1 month after AGM approval (2 months if electronic filing) |
| AGM deadline | Within 6 months from year-end |
| Late filing penalty | EUR 1,500 (individual); EUR 7,500 (company); possible criminal sanctions |
| Digital filing | Electronic via Guichet Unique or Infogreffe |
Reporting Framework
| Entity type | Applicable standard |
|---|---|
| All commercial companies | PCG (Règlement ANC 2014-03) |
| Micro-entreprises (accounting) | Simplified PCG with no annexe required |
| Petites entreprises | PCG with simplified annexe and presentation |
| Listed groups (consolidated) | IFRS as adopted by the EU (mandatory) |
| Non-listed groups (consolidated) | PCG or IFRS (choice) |
Effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2024 (Décret 2024-152):
Size Thresholds
| Criterion | Micro | Petite (Small) | Moyenne (Medium) | Grande (Large) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total du bilan (Balance sheet) | ≤ EUR 450,000 | ≤ EUR 7,500,000 | ≤ EUR 25,000,000 | > EUR 25,000,000 |
| Chiffre d'affaires net (Turnover) | ≤ EUR 900,000 | ≤ EUR 15,000,000 | ≤ EUR 50,000,000 | > EUR 50,000,000 |
| Nombre moyen de salariés (Employees) | ≤ 10 | ≤ 50 | ≤ 250 | > 250 |
Required Financial Statements
| Document | Micro | Petite | Moyenne/Grande |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilan (Balance sheet) | Required (simplified) | Required (simplified option) | Required (full) |
| Compte de résultat (P&L) | Required (simplified) | Required (simplified option) | Required (full) |
| Annexe (Notes) | Not required | Required (simplified) | Required (full) |
| Tableau de flux de trésorerie (Cash flow) | Not required | Not required | Recommended (consolidated: required) |
| Rapport de gestion (Management report) | Not required (small SARL) | Required | Required |
| Rapport du CAC (Auditor's report) | If CAC appointed | If CAC appointed | Required |
Year-End Adjustments Checklist
| # | Adjustment | France-specific notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amortissements (Depreciation) | Linear or dégressif (declining balance with fiscal coefficient); component approach |
| 2 | Provisions pour charges | Règlement ANC: obligation probable, amount reliably estimable |
| 3 | Charges constatées d'avance (Prepayments) | Strict matching principle |
| 4 | Produits constatés d'avance (Deferred income) | Revenue received but not yet earned |
| 5 | Provision pour créances douteuses (Bad debts) | Individual assessment; VAT on doubtful debts reversed |
| 6 | Stocks et en-cours (Inventory) | Lower of cost (FIFO/CUMP) and realisable value |
| 7 | Impôts différés | Not recognised in individual accounts under PCG (consolidated only) |
| 8 | Écarts de conversion (FX differences) | Unrealised losses provisioned (principe de prudence); gains reported but provisioned |
| 9 | Participation des salariés | Mandatory profit-sharing provision (entreprises ≥ 50 employees) |
| 10 | Congés payés (Holiday pay) | Provision for untaken leave + social charges |
| 11 | Indemnités de départ (Retirement benefits) | Engagement or provision under PCG (recommendation ANC) |
| 12 | CET/CVAE provision | Cotisation sur la Valeur Ajoutée des Entreprises |
PCG format — système de base (by nature):
PRODUITS D'EXPLOITATION (Operating income)
Ventes de marchandises
Production vendue (biens et services)
Production stockée
Production immobilisée
Subventions d'exploitation
Reprises sur provisions et amortissements
Autres produits
CHARGES D'EXPLOITATION (Operating expenses)
Achats de marchandises
Variation de stocks de marchandises
Achats de matières premières
Variation de stocks de matières premières
Autres achats et charges externes
Impôts, taxes et versements assimilés
Salaires et traitements
Charges sociales
Dotations aux amortissements
Dotations aux provisions
Autres charges
─── RÉSULTAT D'EXPLOITATION ───
PRODUITS FINANCIERS
Produits de participations
Produits des autres valeurs mobilières
Autres intérêts et produits assimilés
Reprises sur provisions financières
Différences positives de change
CHARGES FINANCIÈRES
Dotations aux amortissements et provisions financières
Intérêts et charges assimilées
Différences négatives de change
─── RÉSULTAT FINANCIER ───
PRODUITS EXCEPTIONNELS
CHARGES EXCEPTIONNELLES
─── RÉSULTAT EXCEPTIONNEL ───
Participation des salariés
Impôt sur les bénéfices
─── RÉSULTAT NET ───
PCG format — système de base:
ACTIF
Actif immobilisé (Fixed assets)
Immobilisations incorporelles
Frais d'établissement
Frais de recherche et développement
Concessions, brevets, licences
Fonds commercial
Immobilisations corporelles
Terrains
Constructions
Installations techniques, matériel
Autres immobilisations corporelles
Immobilisations en cours
Immobilisations financières
Participations
Créances rattachées à des participations
Autres titres immobilisés
Prêts
Actif circulant (Current assets)
Stocks et en-cours
Avances et acomptes versés
Créances clients et comptes rattachés
Autres créances
Valeurs mobilières de placement
Disponibilités
Comptes de régularisation
Charges constatées d'avance
─────────────────────────────────────
PASSIF
Capitaux propres (Equity)
Capital social
Primes d'émission
Réserves (légale, statutaires, autres)
Report à nouveau
Résultat de l'exercice
Provisions réglementées
Provisions pour risques et charges
Dettes (Liabilities)
Emprunts et dettes auprès des établissements de crédit
Emprunts obligataires
Avances et acomptes reçus
Dettes fournisseurs et comptes rattachés
Dettes fiscales et sociales
Autres dettes
Comptes de régularisation
Produits constatés d'avance
Notes to Accounts (Annexe)
| # | Disclosure | Micro | Petite | Moyenne/Grande |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accounting policies (méthodes) | Exempt | Required | Required |
| 2 | Fixed asset movements | Exempt | Simplified | Required |
| 3 | Maturity of receivables/payables | Exempt | Required | Required |
| 4 | Related party transactions | Exempt | Significant only | Required |
| 5 | Off-balance commitments (engagements) | Exempt | Required | Required |
| 6 | Employee information | Exempt | Average headcount | Detailed |
| 7 | Directors' remuneration | Exempt | Not required (SARL <) | Required (SA) |
| 8 | Tax position | Exempt | Simplified | Required |
| 9 | Provisions detail | Exempt | Required | Required |
| 10 | Financial instruments | Exempt | If applicable | Required |
| 11 | Equity movements | Exempt | Not required | Required |
| 12 | Consolidation scope (if parent) | N/A | If applicable | Required |
Filing Requirements
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Filing authority | Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce |
| Filing method | Electronic (Guichet Unique / Infogreffe) or paper deposit at greffe |
| AGM approval deadline | Within 6 months from financial year-end |
| Filing deadline | 1 month after AGM (paper) or 2 months after AGM (electronic) |
| Maximum time from year-end to filing | Approximately 7–8 months |
| Filing fee | Approximately EUR 45–65 (varies by greffe) |
| Confidentiality option — Micro | Can declare total confidentiality (accounts not publicly accessible) |
| Confidentiality option — Petite | Can declare confidentiality of compte de résultat only |
| Confidentiality option — Moyenne | No confidentiality |
| Language | French |
| Format | PDF (each file ≤ 10 MB) |
| Late filing penalties | EUR 1,500 (person); EUR 7,500 (legal entity); potential injonction by tribunal |
CAC thresholds by entity type
| Entity type | Balance sheet | Turnover (HT) | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent companies (SARL, SAS, SA, etc.) | EUR 5,000,000 | EUR 10,000,000 | 50 |
| Controlled subsidiaries (significant) | EUR 2,500,000 | EUR 5,000,000 | 25 |
| Civil companies with economic activity | EUR 1,550,000 | EUR 3,100,000 | 50 |
| SA (Société Anonyme) | Always mandatory regardless of size | — | — |
This 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 before filing or acting upon.
Looking for help with bookkeeping, payroll, VAT or tax returns in France? Tell OpenAccountants what you need. Start with a free 30-minute call. We confirm availability, the accountant responsible and the price before you commit.
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