What matters in 30 seconds
- Accounts for each company: the holding has its own annual accounts and tax return, as does each subsidiary.
- Dividends received: under conditions, the parent-subsidiary regime largely exempts them from corporate tax.
- Flows between companies: recharged services, cash advances, current accounts: documented by agreements.
- Tax consolidation: possible above a certain level of ownership, to offset profits and losses within the group.
- Every year: approval of each company’s accounts and distribution decisions.
What we take care of
The accounting and tax engagement
Annual accounts and tax return of the holding and, if you wish, of its subsidiaries, with an accountant who has the whole picture.
Additional services, à la carte
Corporate secretarial, intra-group agreements and, on request, a study of tax consolidation or a reorganisation.
Your budget
Your budget depends on the actual work for each company: number of subsidiaries, intra-group flows, transactions of the year. As an indication, the accounting and tax engagement for a company starts at €225 excl. VAT per month. To get a clear idea, estimate your budget in 2 minutes; if it suits you, let’s discuss it at an introductory meeting.
Frequently asked questions
Holding company: what is the French parent-subsidiary tax regime?
Under ownership conditions, dividends received from subsidiaries are exempt from corporate tax, except for a share of costs added back to profit.
Do we need a treasury agreement between the holding company and its subsidiaries?
It is strongly recommended as soon as cash advances circulate between companies: it sets out the amounts, duration and interest.
Can your accounting firm keep the accounts of all the group’s companies?
Yes, if you wish: it gives an overall view and consistent entries between companies.
Active or passive holding company: what is the difference?
An active holding company takes part in steering the group’s policy and controlling its subsidiaries. This status has tax consequences, notably when the business is passed on: it must be documented.
Does a holding company need a statutory auditor in France?
Yes, in two main cases: when the holding itself exceeds the legal thresholds for its type of company, or when the group it forms with the companies it controls exceeds the thresholds set for groups (article L. 823-2-2 of the French Commercial Code); the largest subsidiaries may then also have to appoint one. We check these thresholds with you at each year-end. To guarantee independence, Hexaconto cannot be your accountant if its chair, Nadir El Jouaidi, is your statutory auditor, and vice versa (self-review prohibition). See statutory audit
Holding company: how should it invoice services to its subsidiaries?
An active holding can invoice its subsidiaries for the services it actually provides (management, administration), under a services agreement, at a market price and with VAT. These recharges must be justified: otherwise, the tax authorities may challenge them.
How are your accounting fees set for a holding company?
According to the number of companies, the flows between them and the services chosen. They are set out in a written proposal and reviewed if the group changes. See our fees
Can a holding company borrow to buy a business?
Yes, it is a common use: the holding borrows, acquires the shares and repays using dividends from the company acquired. The structure, financing and tax effects should be studied before signing, with your lawyer and your bank.
Holding company owner: does your accountant in France support you on dividends from subsidiaries and your pay?
Yes. The accounting and tax engagement covers the annual accounts and tax return of the holding and, if you wish, of its subsidiaries, with an accountant who has the whole picture. Dividends received under the parent-subsidiary regime, flows between companies and the director’s pay are looked at together; corporate secretarial work, intra-group agreements and a study of tax consolidation are offered on request and priced in advance. Your decisions rest on a consistent view of the group. In 2 minutes, your meeting is booked; in 5 more minutes, your fee estimate is shown. Get my free meeting and quote
Holding company already working with an accountant in France: how do you join us?
It is simple: you send your termination letter to your previous firm (we give you an example to adapt), and we organise the handover of your file with them, in line with professional rules. We also take over with them the follow-up of the agreements between the holding and its subsidiaries. See the steps to change accountant