Why you need an English-speaking accountant in France
French admin, in a language you actually understand
France has one of the most detailed tax and social security systems in Europe. Letters from URSSAF, the tax office (SIE) or the commercial court registry arrive in French, use specific jargon and often come with tight deadlines. For an expat business owner, a misunderstood letter can quickly turn into a penalty. An English-speaking accountant explains what is happening, what you must do, and by when.
The mistakes we see most often
Choosing the wrong legal structure (micro-entreprise, EURL, SASU) and paying more social charges or tax than necessary. See our comparison: micro-entrepreneur vs company.
Missing VAT registration when turnover goes above the VAT exemption threshold (€37,500 for services in 2026).
Invoices without the mandatory French mentions, which will become even stricter with e-invoicing from September 2027.
Forgetting declarations: annual income declaration of business profits, CFE (local business tax), VAT returns.
Mixing personal and business expenses, which creates issues in case of a tax audit.
Ignoring the tax treaty between France and your home country, and being taxed twice.
What an English-speaking accountant does for you
Service | What it covers |
Choice of structure, articles of association, registration | |
Bookkeeping | Online bookkeeping connected to your bank account |
VAT | Monthly or quarterly VAT returns, e-invoicing compliance |
Year-end accounts | Annual accounts and corporate tax return |
Payslips and social declarations for your employees | |
Salary vs dividends, tax optimisation, growth from sole trader to company |
Remote support, anywhere in France
You don't need to live in Paris. Everything works online: you upload receipts from your phone, your bank feeds the accounts automatically, and we meet by video call when needed. Wherever you are in France, you get the same service.
How much does it cost?
Profile | Price |
Micro-entrepreneur (sole trader) | €150 excl. VAT per month |
Sole trader, standard tax regime | From €180 excl. VAT per month |
SAS / SARL with low activity | From €180 excl. VAT per month |
SAS / SARL with high activity | On quote |
From €600 excl. VAT per year | |
Payroll | €30 per payslip |
Company set-up | From €400, excluding registry and publication fees |
See what each package includes on our accounting fees page (in French).
Example: your annual budget
For a micro-entrepreneur, the €150 excl. VAT monthly fee comes to €1,800 excl. VAT a year. For a SAS or SARL with low activity, budget from €180 excl. VAT a month, or €2,160 excl. VAT a year. If you hire an employee, add €30 per payslip, or €360 a year.
Good to know: for a company or a sole trader under the standard tax regime, accounting fees are deductible from taxable profit, so their real cost is lower than the amount invoiced.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in Paris to work with you?
No. Everything is handled remotely: online bookkeeping, document uploads from your phone and video calls. We support clients wherever they are based in France.
Can I switch accountants during the year?
Yes, at any time, subject to the notice period in your engagement letter. Your new accountant contacts the previous one to take over your file, so there is very little for you to do.
Which documents will you need from me?
Mainly your sales and purchase invoices, your bank statements (collected automatically once your bank is connected), your key contracts and, for a company, its articles of association and Kbis extract.
Can you help if I have not set up my business yet?
Yes. We can compare the options with you, from the micro-entrepreneur scheme to a SASU or EURL, then take care of registering your company.
About GME Audit
GME Audit is a chartered accounting firm (expert-comptable) based at 32 avenue Kléber, Paris. We support English-speaking entrepreneurs, freelancers and small businesses across France, entirely in English.
Book a free 15-minute call: schedule a call
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