In 2017, 591,000 companies were created in France, 7% more than in 2016. Not since 2010 have so many companies been created, according toInsee figures. Every entrepreneur must have a business bank account dedicated to his or her activity. That's why it's important to carefully choose the online business bank or business neobank best suited to your needs. Anytime provides information on how to open a business account online.
Is it compulsory to open a business bank account?
Depending on its legal form, a company may be required to open a business bank account.
This is mandatory for companies with share capital(EURL, SA, SARL, SAS). They must open a business account when they are created. In fact, to obtain their registration, these companies must obtain a certificate of deposit from a bank. They are not obliged to keep this document, but it is advisable to do so, particularly for tax reasons.
On the other hand, setting up a pro account is optional for founders of sole proprietorships (micro-businesses or EIRLs), since they have no share capital.
However, since January 1, 2015, the law requires self-employed workers to open an account dedicated to their business, within 12 months of setting up their company. Personal and business transactions must be kept separate in the event of a tax audit. If all transactions are mixed up in the same personal account, the tax authorities may reassess you. That's why it's a good idea to open an online business account to keep all transactions separate.
Micro-entrepreneurs can also simply open a personal account dedicated to their business, where they deposit the income they invoice to their customers, use it for their business expenses and purchases, and make transfers to their personal account for their remuneration.
However, if you wish to use payment methods in your company's trading name, you will need a business account. You'll then be able to use a payment terminal to cash your customers' credit cards, cash cheques on your business account, use payment links for remote payment and retrieve funds from your business account in real time.
How to open a business account online
What supporting documents do I need to open an online business account?
Whichever bank you choose, when you open a business account you are usually asked to provide the following supporting documents:
- one or two pieces of identification
- proof of address dated less than 3 months, in your name and showing your home address (electricity, gas or water bill, last tax assessment, fixed-line or ADSL telephone bill. Cell phone bills are generally refused, as you can easily change your address in your operator's customer area).
If you're a self-employed professional, you'll need to provide the SIREN number and APE code assigned after you applied for registration with Urssaf.
If you operate as a company, you must submit the following documents:
- company bylaws (specifying the person(s) authorized to use the business bank account)
- Kbis extract issued by the CCI
- an extract from a legal gazette or a receipt for publication in a legal gazette
If you work from business premises, you'll need proof of use of the premises (a commercial lease, for example). Remember to keep all your documents in the same place, to save precious time when registering and for other administrative procedures. With Anytime, we'll take care of collecting your Kbis and status documents from the Registrar's Office, making it easy for you to open your pro account online.
How long does it take to open a business account online?
A major advantage of payment institutions is that it's extremely easy to open an account, even if it's a business account. Signing up with Anytime takes just a few minutes. This is not the case with Anytime, where you can set up your business account online.
Once your registration has been validated, you'll have access to your pro account and a RIB. You can then start carrying out your day-to-day transactions. If you have applied for a Mastercard, it will be dispatched within a few days by post to your company's registered address. Remember to include your company name on the letterbox.
Depositing share capital on an online pro account
Share capital represents the contributions made by a company's partners. It guarantees the company's solidity and solvency. To obtain a KBIS from the Registrar of the Commercial Court, this money must be deposited in an escrow account.
Until recently, you had to go to a bank to do this, but now you can do it entirely online, and get your capital deposit certificate from Anytime.
To do this, you need to fill in a questionnaire. The supporting documents to be provided are :
- a piece of identification
- Proof of address
- a copy of the lease for your business premises
- information about your new company and its managers
Anytime then confirms receipt of your request and provides you with the IBAN of the notary's escrow account. You can then make the transfer corresponding to the amount of capital entered in your articles of association. If there are several partners, each must make a capital deposit transfer corresponding to his or her shareholding.
On receipt of the funds, the capital deposit certificate is sent to you by e-mail or post. Depending on the institution you choose, you may receive it instantly, or within 48 to 72 hours of the transaction. This is the advantage of online business accounts, where everything is done via the Internet, without you having to go anywhere.
The certificate mentions your company's name, the registered office address and the total amount of paid-in share capital. If necessary, it includes an appendix listing the various subscribers and the amounts deposited by each. This certificate enables you to apply for a Kbis certificate, and thus register your company.
Once you have this Kbis, you can finalize the opening of your business account. The bank will then release your share capital and credit it to your business account.
The advantages of having an online business account dedicated to your activity
Having a dedicated business account makes it easier to manage your cash flow. You can keep your accounts more easily, without wasting time isolating your personal expenses or income. This makes it much easier to draw up a balance sheet of your business, so you can study your profitability and growth.
You'll have a RIB associated with your pro account, simplifying your administrative procedures.
Having a business account is particularly useful in the event of a tax audit. You won't have to justify your financial movements as you would if your business and personal accounts were in the same account.
You can take advantage of the many benefits Anytime has designed for entrepreneurs, including a payment terminal, a payment link on your website, and expense management.
Choosing the right online business bank or online business account
Online business accounts offer more advanced tools and interfaces than business banks. A traditional business bank has physical branches and a dedicated advisor. If you're not comfortable with digital tools, we advise you to choose this type of professional bank.
The services most commonly offered to open an online business account with an online payment institution or online neobank are the following:
- manage your accounts online (consultation, bank statements, insurance)
- means of payment (credit cards, bank details)
- cash management tools
- a current account without overdraft authorization
In addition, we offer payment solutions linked to your pro account:
- payment at the point of sale
- online payment
- specific solutions such as contactless payment, acceptance of certain international bankcards, payment in 3 or 4 instalments free of charge, etc.
Before comparing the many options offered by professional banks, it's important to define your needs precisely.
Start by asking yourself the following questions:
- Do you need to speak to an advisor often? If so, choose Anytime's Business or Corporate package.
- Will you need an online payment interface? If so, select Anytime.
- Will you need a loan or credit? If so, choose a traditional bank.
- Are you interested in factoring? If so, Anytime puts you in touch with its partners
- Do you have employees who need a means of payment to manage expense reports? If so, choose Anytime.
Answering these questions will enable you to make an initial selection of the professional banks best suited to your needs, according to their rates and dedicated offers. Check if there are any income or sales conditions.
If you're a micro-entrepreneur, you need to be able to bill your customers to a French business bank account. You need to pay close attention to the means of collection available to you and the management fees for your business account.
If you're an SME owner, it's important to find a bank that can provide you with a French IBAN. It must enable you to deposit your share capital, and pay and receive foreign currency. Then, the professional bank must offer a wide range of payment options and flexible withdrawal and purchase limits, as Anytime does. It's important to choose a business account linked to a French IBAN, as the French administration only authorizes French IBANs for direct debit of taxes via a B2B SEPA direct debit scheme. To understand the difference between the 2 types of direct debit, read this fact sheet
When you choose an online business account like Anytime, you're guaranteed modern services from an online business account that's been tailor-made for entrepreneurs. You gain security, freedom and flexibility.
