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After more than 10 years of commitment alongside companies and accounting firms, we want to strengthen our support by becoming a Partner Dematerialization Platform.
Faced with the rapidly changing digital landscape and increasing compliance requirements, e-invoicing has become an essential component of modern financial management.
It symbolizes the convergence between technological innovation and operational needs, offering businesses a solution that is both efficient and compliant with regulations. How is this digital transformation changing traditional invoicing methods, and bringing real added value?
Electronic invoicing refers to the process by which an invoice is created, issued, received and processed in an electronic format that includes a structured database. Unlike traditional paper-based invoicing, electronic invoicing relies on digital technologies to optimize and secure exchanges between senders and recipients.
One of the main advantages of electronic invoicing is its ability to help prevent and combat fraud, particularly when it comes to VAT. It also reduces administrative costs, improves transaction traceability, and facilitates tax declarations through mechanisms such as accounting pre-filling.
In France, the transition to electronic invoicing is governed by legal provisions, with a precise agenda for companies subject to VAT. Beyond these regulatory aspects, electronic invoicing is part of a broader digital transformation process, aimed at improving companies' competitiveness and modernizing their internal processes.
Electronic invoicing uses standardized data formats, such as XML, to exchange information between different IT systems. Electronic invoices are transmitted via secure networks or electronic invoicing platforms, such as Partner Dematerialization Platforms (PDP), which guarantee the security, authenticity and integrity of the data exchanged.
Once the electronic invoice has been issued, the PDP verifies its authenticity and the conformity of its legal fields. Once this information has been validated, the invoice is automatically forwarded to the recipient, whether it is another company (B2B), an administration (B2G) or a consumer (B2C).
At the same time, certain obligations, such as e-reporting, require invoicing data to be declared directly to the tax authorities. This declaration can be made via public portals, such as Chorus Pro, or via a PDP.
The electronic invoicing process starts with the creation of the electronic invoice, which can be generated automatically from the invoicing data.
The invoice is signed electronically to guarantee its authenticity and integrity.
The signed invoice is then sent to the recipient via a secure network.
The recipient receives the electronic invoice and can process it automatically using optical character recognition (OCR) tools to extract data from the invoice.
The extracted data is then integrated into the recipient's accounting management system for invoice processing and payment.
Over and above the legal obligations imposed on companies, electronic invoicing plays a crucial role in preventing and combating VAT fraud, thus guaranteeing better tax compliance. By eliminating manual processes, it reduces human errors and ensures optimal traceability of transactions.
Electronic invoicing allows companies to make significant savings by reducing declaration costs and cutting expenses linked to printing, sending, and storing paper invoices.
In addition, it provides a better understanting of business activity, thanks to more accurate, real-time feedback on transactions between companies.
In an increasingly digitized world, electronic invoicing is aligned with the expectations of businesses and consumers for more agile, transparent and sustainable processes. As a result, electronic invoicing is not just a technological evolution, but an adapted response to the economic, environmental and regulatory challenges of the years to come.
The timetable for the introduction of electronic invoicing is being redefined and will be announced when the 2024 Finances Act is published. What deadlines should you anticipate? Here are some answers.
Originally, the regulatory calendar envisaged a staggered introduction as follows:
Originally, the regulatory calendar envisaged a staggered introduction as follows:
July 1st 2024
All businesses, regardless of size or turnover, had to agree to receive invoices created and transmitted in electronic format by their suppliers.
Large companies had to issue B2Belectronic invoices and e-report their invoicing directly to the tax authorities, either via the public invoicing portal Chorus Pro, or via a French government Partner Dematerialization Platform (PDP).
January 1st 2025
These obligations were to be extended to ETIs
January 1st 2026
These obligations were to be extended to VSEs and SMEs.
Since July 28th 2023, the legal calendar for electronic invoicing has been postponed. The Finance Act for 2024 plans to define a new calendar very soon. The provisional calendar announces:
2024
Delivery of the public invoicing portal.
2025
This portal will undergo a qualification and testing phase to ensure its proper functioning. A pilot phase will also be launched to allow businesses to become familiar with the system.
2026
The system will be fully deployed, making the receipt of electronic invoices mandatory for all companies, and the receipt of electronic invoices mandatory for large companies and ETIs.
2027
These systems will be extended to VSEs and SMEs in a phased schedule that is not yet defined.
Electronic invoicing and e-reporting to the tax authorities must be carried out through a trusted third party, such as a PDP or Chorus Pro. Chorus Pro is also becoming an electronic invoicing platform for businesses, in addition to being the platform for dematerialized invoices in the public sector.
This transition to electronic invoicing aims not only to strengthen the fight against VAT fraud, but also to optimize the accounting and fiscal management of businesses, while promoting better traceability of transactions.
Chartered accountants and accounting professionals play a key role in the transition to electronic invoicing, since they are not only concerned by legal obligations, but also play an essential advisory and support role for companies. As accounting professionals, they have various duties.
In particular with regard to the acceptance, issuance and transmission of electronic invoices.
For 10 years from the date of issue or receipt.
Such as Partner Dematerialization Platforms, to be able to efficiently process electronic invoices and offer complementary services to their clients.
Electronic invoicing will eventually apply to all French companies subject to VAT. However, it will be phased in according to company size, for easier implementation. Chartered accountants and all businesses need to start preparing today.
Electronic invoicing is mandatory for all businesses subject to VAT in France, regardless of their sector of activity, size or legal form. This obligation is being rolled out in several stages, depending on the size and turnover of the companies:
They will have to agree to receive electronic invoices from September 1st 2026.
They will be required to issue electronic B2B invoices as of September 1st 2026.
They too will have to issue electronic invoices from September 1st 2026.
They will have to receive (but not issue) electonic invoices as of September 1st 2027.
Electronic invoicing, as defined by French regulations, is not limited to a specific sector of activity. All businesses subject to VAT, regardless of their field of activity or industrial sector, are gradually being required to adopt electronic invoicing.
Whether in B2B relations, where companies generate invoices for other companies, or in relations with the public sector via platforms like Chorus Pro, electronic invoicing is becoming the norm: the transition to electronic invoicing is a transversal evolution that impacts the entire economic fabric, regardless of the sector of activity.
Electronic invoicing is a modern and efficient way to manage and track financial transactions, including in the notarial field. Here are some things to consider about electronic invoicing for notaries:
The electronic invoicing process must comply with applicable laws and regulations.
We offer secure electronic signature solutions to guarantee the authenticity of documents. This may include digital certificates and other security measures.
If you already use management software for notarial tasks, make sure that your electronic invoicing solution can integrate seamlessly with these systems. This will allow for a smoother transition and more efficient management. We offer this as part of our solutions.
Data security is paramount, especially when it comes to sensitive information related to notary transactions. Ensure that your electronic invoicing solution offers robust security features, such as data encryption, RIB certification but also double authentication.
Your employees in the notaryfim must be trained in the use of the new electronic invoicing system. This includes understanding procedures, safety protocols, and any other relevant aspects.
Use payment tracking features to ensure that all transactions are processed correctly and payments are received on time.
Electronic invoicing can help reduce human errors associated with manual invoicing. Implement quality controls to minimize potential errors.
Electronic invoicing can reduce the costs associated with printing, mailing, and physically storing documents. In addition, it contributes to sustainability by reducing paper consumption.
Our electronic invoicing solution is regularly updated to remain in line with technological developments and possible changes in regulations.
The issue of electronic invoicing in law firms has two aspects.
On the one hand, the apparent constraint it represents in terms of organizing its invoicing, the tools it requires and the processes involved.
On the other hand, the obvious opportunity provided by the necessary support that many economic players will seek from law firms.
If, like many firms, you are already equipped with an invoicing software, it can automatically take care of your e-reporting and your e-invoicing; the two sides of the coin of electronic invoicing.
However, you must first ensure that your solution complies with these future new rules.
If your law firm manages its invoicing via your accountant's tool, it's the same thing: it must comply with a regulation that will come into force, even if this tool is recent and/or recommended by the Order of Chartered Accountants or by your bar.
And if your accountant refuses to change their tools, maybe you should consider changing your accountant.
If your clients already work with invoicing tools that are compatible with e-reporting or e-invoicing platforms, they may ask you to use them.
In any case, before opting for a new solution, do not hesitate to ask your supplier the question: has the necessary certification been obtained? (Maybe it's in the process of being obtained?) Are there any developments in progress?
But this transition to electronic invoicing, which some are forced to make, is not all drawbacks - far from it!
Fewer invoicing errors due to inadequate tools and obsolete methods (yes, Word and Excel, that's you).
You save time, because digital invoices can be edited, sent and saved in just a few clicks. And so do your clients.
Healthy and up to date cash flow thanks to invoices issued more quickly and faster and more effective control of payments, which are also more easily carried out thanks to more regular, clearer and more transparent invoices.
Faster and easier accounting exchanges thanks to standardized data and tools that speak the same language.
Secure invoicing thanks to the certification of e-invoicing platforms that make invoice or RIB fraud impossible.
Improved client relations thanks to invoices being available at any time for your clients, without having to go through your secretariat
Electronic invoicing is of particular importance for accountants and accounting professionals: it is not only a technological evolution, but a profound transformation of accounting practices, offering new perspectives and challenges in the exercise of their profession. As key professionals in the sector, they are at the forefront of supporting businesses in this transition.
Therefore, the adoption of electronic invoicing allows accountants and accounting professionals to:
Electronic invoicing, beyond being a simple technological evolution, represents a major transformation in accounting practices.
Electronic invoicing offers tangible economic and environmental benefits. This digital transition leads to optimized accounting processes, reduced operational costs and increased productivity.
On the environmental level, the dematerialization of invoices reduces the consumption of paper and ink, and thus improves the carbon footprint.
Thanks to automation, it is possible to process more invoices in less time, eliminating repetitive and manual tasks. This increased efficiency is reflected in better traceability of transactions and a smooth integration of invoices into accounting information systems.
Electronic invoicing simplifies administrative processes by eliminating the constraints associated with managing paper documents. Invoices are centralized and accessible in a few clicks, making exchanges with clients or suppliers more fluid. Automatic validation mechanisms ensure that invoices comply with current regulations.
Electronic invoicing minimizes the common mistakes associated with manual entry and provides a robust barrier against fraud. Data authentication and security mechanisms, combined with traceability, ensure the reliability of transactions.
Faced with the evolution of regulations, electronic invoicing has become a regulatory necessity. It's easier to ensure invoice compliance, facilitate tax audits and controls, and demonstrate business compliance in the face of a changing regulatory landscape.
How to set up electronic invoicing? What solutions or tools could facilitate its implementation? Here is our guide to simplifying the deployment of electronic invoicing.
The implementation of electronic invoicing is a crucial step in aligning with regulatory requirements and optimizing internal processes. For a successful transition, here are 5 essential steps.
Above all, it is essential to assess the company's specific needs. This involves analyzing the volume of invoices processed, existing systems, and compliance needs. On this basis, it will be easier to choose a suitable electronic invoicing solution, whether it is a cloud solution or an integration with an existing system.
The success of the transition depends in large part on the commitment of the teams.
It is therefore essential to train them in new methods and tools. Regular training sessions, accompanied by educational materials, will facilitate the adoption of electronic invoicing by all staff.
Once the solution is chosen, it is a question of integrating it into the firm's information system. This step must be accompanied by extensive testing to ensure the reliability and compliance of the invoices generated. Proceeding in phases is recommended, as is starting with a pilot group before deploying to a larger scale.
Electronic invoicing offers the advantage of better transaction traceability. It is therefore crucial to set up dashboards and monitoring indicators to monitor the effectiveness of the process, detect possible anomalies and ensure continuous compliance.
Finally, after a few months of use, it is beneficial to gather feedback from teams and clients. This feedback will make it possible to identify areas for improvement and to further optimize the electronic invoicing process.
By following these steps methodically, businesses and accountants will be able to take full advantage of electronic invoicing, by guaranteeing compliance, efficiency and client satisfaction at the same time.
The implementation of electronic invoicing can be facilitated by adapted solutions and tools.
The transition to electronic invoicing is an opportunity for accounting firms and businesses to modernize their processes, ensure legal compliance, and offer value-added services to their clients.
The choice of a suitable solution is essential to ensure easy and effective implementation.
This transformation offers accounting professionals the opportunity to take on new challenges.
The first crucial step is to make the entire team aware of the challenges of this transition. It is not only a question of understanding the advantages of electronic invoicing, but also of seizing the opportunities that present themselves and taking control of the tools necessary to adopt this new regulation.
However, training is not limited to an initial stage. On the contrary, it is a continuous process. The ever-changing nature of electronic invoicing, whether regulatory or technological updates, requires ongoing support. Teams need access to regular support to solve the challenges that arise and take full advantage of this digital transition.
It allows them to explore new missions and adapt the team's skills to meet the changing needs of their clients. By investing in the skills of their employees and by ensuring continuous support, accounting firms will be able to gain productivity, expand their service offer and offer more innovative solutions.
Adopting a new tool or a new process is always a challenge. Here are some mistakes to anticipate in order to take advantage of electronic invoicing.
The transition to electronic invoicing, if not well managed, can be fraught with challenges. Here are some common mistakes to avoid.
The transition to electronic invoicing is marked by the emergence of new terms and concepts, including PPF, PDP, and OD. These acronyms, while technical, are essential for understanding the e-invoicing landscape and the roles of each entity in this process. Let's decipher these terms together to better understand their specificities and differences.
Have you already chosen your PDP?
The PDP, or Partner Dematerialization Platform, is a private entity registered with the tax authority. It offers a set of secure services, in particular the dematerialization of invoices, the direct transmission of invoices between issuers and recipients, and the extraction and transmission of mandatory data.
In other words, the PDP collects an invoice, verifies its authenticity and the conformity of its legal fields, then automatically transmits it to the buyer via another PDP platform or directly to the tax authority.
The PIP, or Public Invoicing Portal, is a platform set up by the tax administration. It serves as a central point for receiving, verifying and archiving electronic invoices. All electronic invoices pass through this portal, thus guaranteeing their compliance with current standards and regulations. The PIP plays an essential role in the electronic invoicing process, ensuring optimal traceability and security of transactions.
The DO, or Dematerialization Operator, is an entity that facilitates the transition from paper invoices to an electronic format. It plays a crucial role in the conversion of invoices, ensuring that dematerialized documents maintain their integrity, authenticity, and legibility. The DO also ensures that electronic invoices comply with current standards and regulations.
When looking for the best e-invoicing solution, asking the right questions is essential to ensure a smooth and efficient transition. Here are some key questions to consider.
Choosing the best electronic invoicing solution requires careful consideration of the current and future needs of the business or accounting firm, as well as regulatory requirements. Asking the right questions from the start ensures a successful transition to e-invoicing.
Is the envisaged solution compliant with current and future legal obligations, in particular those defined by the 2024 Finance Act in France? Ensure that the platform chosen meets the deadlines for the gradual implementation of electronic invoicing between 2026 and 2027. It is relevant to consider the role of Partner Dematerialization Platforms (PDPs). PDPs like INGENEO are in fact designed to facilitate the transition to electronic invoicing while ensuring compliance.
What are the complementary services offered by the solution? Think of functionalities such as supplier payment, client collection, cash management, or even customizable electronic document management.
Does the platform guarantee data security and offer total traceability of documents? Ensuring that documents are sealed is essential to ensure traceability, integrity, and authenticity.
What type of support is offered by the solution provider? Good technical support and the right training can make all the difference when implementing e-invoicing.
Is the solution adaptable to future changes, both in terms of regulations and technological developments? A scalable platform will ensure its long-term relevance.
Integrating electronic invoicing into accounting software is an opportunity for accounting firms to modernize their processes, improve their efficiency and strengthen the quality of their services. It is a strategic investment that, in addition to meeting regulatory obligations, offers real competitive advantages.
In fact, it allows:
INGENEO, with its recognized expertise in the field of invoice dematerialization and pre-entry accounting automation, is actively involved in supporting companies and accounting firms in the face of the new challenges of electronic invoicing. This approach is part of the context of the electronic invoicing reform in France, which aims to make this practice progressively mandatory for all businesses subject to VAT.
Beyond simple compliance, INGENEO's vision is to bring tangible added value to businesses and accounting firms. The platform envisaged by INGENEO aims to optimize productivity, to facilitate the exploitation of structured and qualified data for interpretation, and to allow accountants and companies to optimize their profitability and to manage their investments through data exploitation. This approach is part of a desire to offer an attractive solution that provides monetizable added value.
Finally, INGENEO does not content itself with offering a technological platform. We are committed to supporting businesses and accounting firms in this transition, by helping them bring this transformation to their clients. Through collaborative workshops and continuous exchanges with companies and firms, INGENEO ensures that it understands their needs and perfects its platform to support accounting professionals in this new era of electronic invoicing.
An innovative solution adapted to the new electronic invoicing challenges.
A platform that integrates with 95% of accounting solutions and is capable of communicating natively with the PIPs as well as with all the other PDPs and DOs on the market.
Advanced services such as document sealing, supplier payments or customizable electronic document management for each client.
A collaborative space between the firm, the company and the supplier.
BI and data analysis tools.
Solutions for the advanced processing of unreceived invoices and outstanding accounts.
After more than 10 years of commitment alongside companies and accounting firms, we want to strengthen our support by becoming a Partner Dematerialization Platform.
Active member of the public consultations conducted by the General Directorate of Public Finances
Active member of FNFE and Electronic Public Markets
Iterative and collaborative workshops with our Chartered Accountants and Businesses clients
Anticipation of standards: GDPR, Advanced signature, Probative value, PAF, ISO 27001, SecNumCloud
A team dedicated to the realization of the specifications and the road map linked to the reform
Offer new services to strengthen client loyalty. All these services are not only aimed at clients but also at the expert who will use them to improve client support.
Real-time cash flow indicators, forecast indicators, schedule monitoring indicators
Possibility to manage a SEPA transfer file to be transmitted to the banking institution or issue of a transfer order from the company account to the supplier
Client invoicing follow-up with automation of reminders and due dates
Provision of a refined analysis of invoices with comparison of market prices/prices applied by the supplier
Digitize the follow-up and traceability of documents
The most frequently asked questions about electronic invoicing for accountants.
The main risks in electronic invoicing are related to data security, technical errors, and regulatory non-compliance. Poor management or security breaches can lead to data loss, fraud, or legal sanctions. In addition, excessive dependence on an electronic system without adequate backup can be a problem in the event of a failure or malfunction. To avoid this, a trusted partner and platform are essential.
The archiving of electronic invoices must be carried out in a secure and sustainable manner. It is recommended to use secure electronic archiving solutions that guarantee the integrity, authenticity and legibility of invoices in the long term. These solutions should allow quick access to invoices when needed while ensuring their protection against any alteration or loss.
The obligations to keep electronic invoices are governed by tax legislation. In general, electronic invoices should be kept for a minimum period of time, often 10 years, from the end date of the fiscal year they are related to. During this period, they must remain accessible and legible, and their integrity must be guaranteed. Complying with local tax document retention regulations is critical.
Ensuring data security in electronic invoicing requires a combination of technical and organizational measures. It's critical to use robust encryption protocols, two-factor authentications, and regular backups. In addition, it is recommended that you conduct regular security audits and that staff be trained in security best practices. The use of recognized electronic invoicing solutions that comply with security standards are also crucial to ensure the protection of sensitive data.
