Types de Sociétés et leurs Caractéristiques

Types of Companies and their Characteristics

• EURL (Entreprise Unipersonnelle à Responsabilité Limitée): A single-member company with limited liability.
• SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée): A company with limited liability, needs at least two members.
• SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée): A company with simplified structure, at least two members are needed.
• SASU (Société par Actions Simplifiée Unipersonnelle): A simplified company with limited liability, one-member form.
• SA (Société Anonyme): A public limited company with shares traded on the market. Minimum capital investment
• SNC (Société en Nom Collectif): A company with unlimited liability, all members are fully liable for company debts.

Capital and Members

• Capital Social: The initial investment in a company.
• Associés: Members/Shareholders of a company.
• Gérant (Manager): The manager who runs a company, potentially with specific responsibilities for decision-making or daily operations

Decision-Making

• Assemblée Générale: The general meeting where major decisions are made (general assemblies).
• Président/Directeur: The designated manager or leader and/or director of a company.
• Conseil d'Administration: This is an administrative board in larger companies (limited companies, with shareholders).

Liability and Remuneration

• Responsabilité: Liability for company debts and obligations.
• IR: Individual income tax (impôts sur le revenu)
• IS: Corporate tax.
• IS option: Additional special option for a given tax.
• Remuneration: Compensation or payment for work.
• Deductible: Amounts that can be subtracted from income when calculating taxes.

Other Considerations

• Cessions: Transfer of ownership of company shares.
• Conditions: Stipulations or requirements.
• Statuts: Legal documents defining the company's structure, policies, and operations.

Essential Elements of a Business Contract

• Consent of Parties: All members must agree to the business contract.
• Minimum Number of Members: Most companies need at least two members, unless they are single-member formations.
• Contributions: Each member must offer some form of contribution (cash, assets, or services).
• Profit and Loss Sharing: How profits and losses will be allocated among the members.
• Business Purpose: The company's activities must be lawful and clearly defined.
• Legal Form: Choosing the suitable legal structure.
• Articles of Association: Specify the company's structure, operation, and other key details.