The micro-entrepreneur scheme was created in 2008 to encourage business start-ups. In this respect, micro-entrepreneurs' accounting is simpler than that of conventional businesses (sole proprietorships or companies). But simplified accounting obligations do not in any way preclude certain administrative tasks that all businesses, whatever their size, are required to carry out, not only to comply with government regulations, but also for the proper management of their operations.
To carry out these administrative and accounting tasks, there are a number of essential tools available to the entrepreneur. Online accounts and management software, for example, are ideal tools, perfectly suited to micro-entrepreneurs.
What does micro-entrepreneur accounting involve?
Do you need an accountant if you're a micro-entrepreneur? This question is often asked. There is no legal obligation for a company to entrust its accounting to a chartered accountant. The chartered accountant records transactions and produces the year-end financial statements. He or she also handles payroll, social security and tax declarations, and may advise clients on strategic choices and decision-making.
As the accounting requirements for a micro-business are very low, it's possible to do them yourself. However, to properly manage and develop your business, it is preferable to keep a more complete set of accounts than those required by law.
There are three accounting requirements for micro-entrepreneurs:
- Issuing invoices to customers: invoices must bear the words "TVA non applicable, article 293B du CGI" ("VAT not applicable, article 293B of the CGI"), and amounts must be presented exclusive of tax. Remember that the basic VAT exemption no longer applies when a certain threshold is exceeded (€85,800 for sales and €36,500 for services).
- Keep a receipts book: this is a chronological register of receipts. Entries must include invoice number and date, customer name, description of service or product, amount and method of payment.
- Keep accounting documents for 10 years (purchase and sales invoices, receipts, bank and cash receipts).
From a tax point of view, a sales declaration must be made every month or quarter, even in the case of zero sales, on the Urssaf website dedicated to auto-entrepreneurs. Tax payments are also made on this site on set dates.
If the micro-entrepreneur earns more than €10,000 in revenue over two consecutive years, he or she is also required toopen a separate bank account.
The tools available for bookkeeping
Doing your own bookkeeping isn't very difficult. You just need to be well organized and use effective tools adapted to your situation.
It's possible tocreate invoices using word-processing software and to use a spreadsheet as a recipe book, but this solution is becoming somewhat obsolete.
It would be a shame to miss out on the management software offered by online accounts, which automate and centralize all operations. A quotation, for example, is quickly filled in, with all legal information pre-entered. It is then transformed just as quickly into a numbered invoice, then filed chronologically in a summary table. As soon as the payment associated with this invoice is made, it is automatically assigned to the invoice.
These programs offer a wide range of functions. These include :
- Consult the tax calendar,
- Data export,
- A complete view of expenses in real time, and of your cash position,
- Notification in the absence of proof,
- Archiving parts,
- Expense management,
- Integrated billing,
- Reconciliation between payments and corresponding invoices,
- Automatic dunning for unpaid customers...
In addition to saving time, avoiding errors and keeping better track of your business, the use of such services guarantees the authenticity of your accounts in the event of an audit.