Why we use business abbreviations and why business acronyms are useful and important these days. In the world of business, where the market has no limit, not limited to one or two location, the main issue faced by many entrepreneurs and business owners is communication. Especially when you need to discuss technical aspects.

If you are from the US and want to discuss business terms bit don’t know about the local term used to define certain department, Role, task, rules, then the abbreviation for business and abbreviation for management comes handy.

Abbreviation for business and abbreviation for management helps you to exchange the information between 2 different countries specific business. Business acronyms help you to define or point out specific needs or area or law that need to comply with.

I listed business abbreviations used in Global Market to communicate around the Globe.

The world of commerce is full of abbreviations of all kinds that resemble an obscure language for the uninitiated. The goal is to take a tour of some acronyms used by salespeople.

Go with a little practice, it will eventually return!

Lexicon of the Business Abbreviations of the letter A to E

ACCRE : help for job seekers creating or taking over a business

ADIE : Association for the right to economic initiative

AERL: self-employed limited liability

AGS: Insurance Guaranteed Salaries

APEC: Employment Agency for Executives

WCR : working capital requirement

BIC : industrial and commercial profits

BNC : non-commercial profits

Turnover: turnover

CAC: critical turnover

CAF: cash flow

CAF : family allowance fund

CARIF-OREF: training center, resources and information on training – regional observatories employment training

CAVP: old-age insurance fund for pharmacists

CCI : Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Fixed-term contract: fixed-term contract

Permanent contract: contract of indefinite duration

EC: Works Council

CET : territorial economic contribution

CFE : center of formalities of companies

CFE : land subscription of companies

CGA : Authorized Management Center

CHSCT: Committee for Health, Safety and Working Conditions

CIPAV: interprofessional provident fund and old-age insurance

CIR : research tax credit

CM: chamber of trades

CNAM: National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts

CRA: Amicable Appeals Committee

CRDS: Contribution to the repayment of the social debt

CRITT: Regional Centers for Innovation and Technology Transfer

CSG: Generalized social contribution

DADS: Annual Statement of Social Data

DAP: amortization and provisions

DDPP: Departmental Directorate for the Protection of the Population

DDTEFP: Departmental Directorate of Labor, Employment and Vocational Training

DGCCRF: Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control

DIF: individual right to individual training

DIRECCTE: Regional Directorate for Enterprise, Competition, Consumer Affairs, Labor and Employment

EBITDA : Gross operating surplus

ECA: Non-Active Translation Differences

ECP: Non-Passive Conversion Differences

EENE: Expected effects Not expired

EURL : Sole Proprietorship with Limited Liability

Lexicon of the abbreviations of the letter F to Z

FNAL: National Housing Fund

EN: Fundamentals of Bearing

GRETA: groupings of public teaching establishments

INPI : National Institute of Industrial Property

IR : income tax

IORP: representative body of staff

IS : corporation tax

ISF : solidarity tax on wealth

MCV: Margin on variable cost

NACRE : new support for business creation and takeover

OPCA: Joint Organism Authorized Collector

PCE : ready to start a business

PCG: General Chart of Accounts

GDP: Gross Domestic Product

PV: Sale Price

PRCE: regional premium for business creation

RCAI: Current Result Before Taxes

RCS: Trade and Companies Register

RDS: repayment of the social debt

REX: operating result

RIB: Bank Statement of Identity

RJ: Bankruptcy

RNC: net income of the company

RSA: active solidarity income

RSI : social regime of the independent

SA : Society Anonymity

SARL : Limited Liability Company

SAS : Simplified Joint Stock Company

SASU : Uni-personal Simplified Joint Stock Company

SCOP: cooperative and participative society

SMIC: Minimum Interprofessional Growth Salary

SR: Break-even point

TASS: Social Security Affairs Tribunal

TJM: Average Daily Rate

VAT : Value Added Tax

TVTS: Tax on passenger vehicles of companies

VA: Added value

VNC: Net Book Value

URSSAF : Union for the recovery of social security contributions and family allowances

ZFU : urban free zone

ZRR: Rural Revitalization Zone

ZRU: urban regeneration zone

ZUS: sensitive urban area

List of abbreviations of the legal forms of companies, groups and companies.

AE: Auto-entrepreneur

EARL : Agricultural Limited Company

EI : Sole Proprietorship

EIRL : Sole Proprietorship

EURL : Single-person company with limited liability

GAEC : Agricultural group operating in common

EEIG : European Economic Interest Grouping

GIE : Economic interest group

ME: Micro-entrepreneur

SARL : Limited Liability Company

SA : Limited company

SAS : Simplified Joint Stock Company

SASU : Single share simplified joint stock company

SC : Civil society

SCA : Partnership limited by shares

SCI : Real estate company

SCIC : Cooperative society of collective interest

SCICV : Real estate company with variable capital

SCM : Civil society means

SCOP : Cooperative workers’ production society

SCP : Professional Civil Society

SCS : Limited Partnership

SEL : Liberal Practice Society

SELAFA : Company of liberal exercise in anonymous form

SELARL : Limited Liability Company

SELAS : Simplified Liberal Stock Company

SELCA : Limited Partnership Exercise Company

SEM : Mixed economy company

SEML : Local mixed economy company

SEP : Joint venture

SICA : Agricultural collective society

SMHF : Micro-family holding company

SNC : Partnership

SPFPL : Company of financial participations of liberal professions

SUP : Societas unius personae (European single-member company with limited liability)

TA : Apprenticeship tax

TA : Administrative Tribunal

TAB : Building land

TAEA : Effective Annual Rate of Insurance

APR : annual percentage rate of charge

TASCOM : Tax on commercial surfaces

TASS : Court of Social Security Affairs

TBB : Bank base rate

TCA : Tax on Insurance Contracts

TCCI : Tax for chambers of commerce and industry

TCI : Disability Litigation Tribunal

TCMA : Tax for Chambers of Crafts and Crafts

TCN : Negotiable debt securities

TDFC : Transfer of Tax and Accounting Data

TDS : Social Data Transfer

TE : Territories entrepreneurs

TF : Property tax

TFPB : Property tax on built properties

TGI : High Court

TI : District Court

TIP : Interbank Payments Title

TNS : Self-employed worker

TNSNA : Non-agricultural non-salaried worker

TP : Professional tax

TPE : Electronic Payment Terminal

TPE : Framed Personal Works

TPE: Very small company

TLPE : Local Tax on Signs and Outdoor Advertising

TRM : Minimum recovery time

TUP : Universal heritage transfer

VAT : Value added tax

TVS : Tax on company cars

UAE : Union of Auto entrepreneurs

UBJOP : French Union of Jewelry, goldsmith, stones and pearls

UCANSS : Union of National Social Security Funds

UDES : Union of employers of the ESS

EU : European Union

UECF : Union of Climate and Energy Engineering Companies in France

EMU : European Monetary Union

UES : Economic and Social Unit

UESL : Union of companies and employees for housing

UFA : Federal Union of Consumers

UGEF : Union of Employers’ Groups

UIC: Union of Chemical Industries

UIMM : Union of Metallurgy Industries and Crafts

UMP : Union for a Popular Movement

UNA : National Union of Assistance, Care and Home Services

UNAPL : National Union of Liberal Professions

UNAGA : National Union of Approved Management Associations

UNASA : National Union of Chartered Associations

UNAT : National Union of Tourism Associations

UNEDIC : National Union for Employment in Industry and Commerce

UNICER : National Union of Capital Investors for Regional Enterprises

UNIS : Union of Real Estate Unions

UNPI : National Union of Real Estate Property

UPA : Professional Union

UPE : Union for Business

UPR : Regional Employer Union

UPTIH : Professional Union of Disabled Self-Employed Workers

URCAM : Regional Union of Health Insurance Funds

URML : Regional Union of Liberal Doctors

URPS : Regional Unions of Health Professionals

URSCOP : Regional Union of Cooperative Production Societies

URSSAF : Union for the recovery of social security contributions and family allowances

USGERES : Union of unions and representative employer groups in the social economy

UV : Value Unit

VAE : Validation of acquired experience

VAD : Distance Selling

VC : Venture capital

VDI : Independent Home Seller

VEFA : Sale in state of future completion

LIFE : International corporate volunteering

VIF : Individual and optional payment

VLU : Single place payment

VNE : National corporate volunteering

VO : Used Vehicle

VOT : Cash-oriented transfer

VPC : Mail order

VRP : Traveler, Representative, Plumber

VT : Transportation payment

VTA : Additional transport payment

VU : Utility Vehicle

VIEW : European Union transfer

WLR : The weekly law reports

ZA : Artisanal zone

ZAC : Commercial Craft Zone

ZAE : Zone of economic activities

ZAD : Deferred Development Zone

ZAE : Business activity area

ZAFR : Regional aid area

ZAI : Artisanal and industrial area

ZAP : Multipurpose Activity Zone

ZAPA : priority action area for air

ZFU : Urban Free Zone

ZFU-TE : Urban free zones – entrepreneurial territories

ZI : Industrial Zone

ZIC : Industrial and Commercial Zone

ZIF : Land intervention zone

ZLE : Free Trade Area

ZPPAUP : Protection zone for the architectural, urban and landscape heritage

ZRD: Defense Restructuring Zone

ZRR : Rural Revitalization Zone

ZRU : Urban Renewal Zone

ZTI : International tourist area

ZU : Urban area

ZUP : Priority Urbanization Zone

ZUS : Sensitive urban area

All Business Abbreviations to know for auto-entrepreneurs

ACCRE, ARCE, CFE, URSSAF, SSI … Frankly we do not find it anymore! Feeling a little lost in the jungle of terms used by the administration? Do not panic, drafting brushes for you! Because you will have to meet these terms more than once in your career of self-entrepreneur, we have concocted a small lexicon to finally unravel the jargon of business creation!

ACCRE

Help for Unemployed Creators or Business Returnees

The ACCRE is a help from Pôle Emploi allowing to benefit from a partial exemption of the social charges during the first three years of your activity. For example, instead of paying 22% of its turnover in social security contributions, a self-employed entrepreneur will benefit with the ACCRE of a rate of 5.5% the first year, 11% the second, and 16.5% the third. A real boost for many auto-entrepreneurs!

And unlike its name, the ACCRE is not only reserved for jobseekers. It should even be accessible to all auto-entrepreneurs starting in 2019.

EPA

Main Activity Exercised

The APE code, consisting of 4 letters and a number, is the one that allows you to pinpoint your main activity. INSEE is responsible for assigning you one after you register for auto-entrepreneur status. Your APE code is on the mail you receive to confirm the creation of your auto-business. In case of activity modification, you can change the APE code.

ARCE

Help with Business Recovery or Creation

Not to be confused with the ACCRE! (see above) The ARCE is intended to help you financially in starting your business, but only if you are a job seeker compensated. It then allows you to collect in two installments 45% of the remaining amount of your unemployment benefits (the first at the launch of your activity, and the second 6 months later). Useful if you wish to benefit from a small starting capital to invest in material before starting for example!

ARE

Return to Work Allowance

The AER is an allowance paid to job seekers to compensate for the lack of income following the loss of a job or the end of a fixed-term contract. If you are compensated by Pôle Emploi when you set up your own business, you will be able to maintain part of your rights. The amount of your ARE will be recalculated regularly according to your turnover.

BIC

Industrial and Commercial Benefits

When you file your tax return, you need to know which category they belong to. BICs are the benefits of a commercial, craft or industrial activity.

If this is your case, you will benefit from the “micro-BIC” regime: your taxable income will be calculated after a flat-rate reduction depending on the type of your activity, applied to your turnover.

BNC

Non-commercial Benefits

As for them, the NBCs correspond to the category of taxes making it possible to inform the income resulting from a liberal activity.

If this is your case, you will benefit from the “micro-BNC” regime: your taxable income will be calculated after a flat-rate reduction depending on the type of your activity, applied to your turnover.

IT

Turnover

Revenue is the sum of all the cash inflows generated by your activity over a given period, before subtracting your costs and various expenses.

For example : A self-employed carpenter wants to calculate his turnover for the month of January:

• he has cashed three bills, amounting to $ 500, $ 1,250 and $ 250
• its turnover in January is 500 + 1 250 + 250 = 2 000 $

It is from the turnover that the amount of your social contributions is calculated: do not confuse it therefore especially with the income (which corresponds to the amount obtained after application of the flat-rate abatement carried out by the administrations)!

CAF

Family allowance

CAF is the public body responsible for paying social benefits related to family life. As a self-employed person, you pay social security contributions and are entitled to family benefits. In particular, you can claim, under certain conditions, financial aid paid monthly by the CAF, such as the RSA (see below), or the Activity Bonus .

CCI

Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Organized in a national network, Chambers of Commerce and Industry are public bodies present in each region to look after the interests of companies in the commercial and industrial sector.

If you do business, the ICC will be your main contact for all your administrative tasks.

CFE

Business Formality Center

The Business Formalities Centers are the main interlocutors of the self-entrepreneurs in carrying out all their administrative procedures: registration, change of address, modification or cessation of activity, etc.

The CFE are different depending on the type of activity you perform:

• Commercial activity: your CFE is the Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Crafts: your CFE is the Chamber of Trades and Crafts
• Liberal activity: your CFE is the URSSAF

CFE

Property tax on companies

The CFE is a local tax that self-entrepreneurs must pay from their second year of activity. Its amount (which can range from 216 to 2 157 € per year) depends on the rates applied by the municipality of domicile of your self-business and your annual turnover.

CIPAV

Interprofessional Provident and Old Age Insurance Fund

CIPAV is a pension and provident fund that provides for the mandatory retirement of liberal professionals.

This institution is however in full change: since 1 January 2018, the retirement of the majority of self-employed entrepreneurs with a liberal activity is gradually entrusted to the Social Security of the Independents.

CMA

Chamber of Trades and Crafts

CMAs are public bodies whose mission is to look after the craft sector. They participate in the protection of the interests of craftsmen, but also in the training of apprentices.

The CMA of your region is therefore your main contact for all your administrative procedures if you are a self-employed craftsman.

INPI

National Institute of Industrial Property

The INPI is, as its name indicates, the establishment in charge of the management of industrial property, in particular to protect the names of brands, patents, plans and drawings, models, etc.

In your activity, you may need to contact the INPI if you want, for example, to put your name or your logo to protect them and thus ensure that you are the only one who can use them (at a cost). Before starting any step, remember to check on the search engine of the INPI that your idea is not already the property of another company.

INSEE

The national institute of statistics and economic studies

INSEE is the public institute that carries out surveys, collects data and produces analyzes on economic and social issues in France. It is he who will give for example the official figures of demography or unemployment.

The national classification of trades and companies is provided by INSEE. This is why your APE code (see above) is attributed to you by INSEE, as well as your SIREN and SIRET numbers (see definitions to follow). However, it is the center of the formalities of the companies corresponding to your activity which will be in charge of doing the intermediary between you and the INSEE for all these requests.

Kbis

Kbis is not an abbreviation, but you will often hear the term because it is an official document attesting to the identity of your company. You will find all the essential information of your company like the legal status, the address of domiciliation, the code APE etc. Kbis may be required by customers or suppliers who want to ensure the legal existence of your auto-business.

Note that only the self-entrepreneurs of the commercial professions can request an extract K (bis)!

RAM

Meeting of Insurers Disease

La Ram is one of the organizations contracted for the management of the health insurance of the self-employed, whether tradesmen, craftsmen or liberals.

When you realize your registration for the status of self-entrepreneur, you must necessarily choose a contracted organization. If you are affiliated with the Social Security of Independents (formerly RSI), it is this type of organization that will pay you your benefits (you can quite choose another than La Ram, free to you!) .

RC Pro

Professional Liability

RC Pro contracts offered by insurance companies allow you to be protected in case of damage caused to others, a claim in your premises or litigation with a client.

For example: A self-employed businessman in the store stores his merchandise at home. If a fire breaks out and destroys all of it, his personal insurance will not compensate for this lost stock. It is the RC Pro that will take over to avoid a loss of income too important.

If the RC Pro is not mandatory for all activities, we recommend that you have one to protect you from the risks inherent in your activity.

SCR

Trade and Companies Register

This register kept by the Courts of Commerce contains essential information on French commercial companies: civil status of the entrepreneur, activity, legal status of the company etc.

All self-employed professionals in commercial occupations must be registered with the RCS. This registration is made at the same time as the status of self-entrepreneur, with the ICC.

RM

Directory of Professions

Held by the Chambers of Crafts and Crafts, the Directory of Trades is an official document that lists all the craftsmen. If your activity is considered as craft or depends on the Chamber of Trades and Crafts, it is obligatory to be registered there, that is why the inscription is done at the same time as that of the status auto- contractor, from your CMA.

RSA

Solidarity labor income

The RSA is a social benefit that guarantees a minimum income to people or households with the least resources. Its amount corresponds to a minimum of 545 € for a single person. It is recalculated every 3 months according to your resources, and paid by the CAF.
If you are a beneficiary of the RSA at the time of the creation of your auto-entreprise, you will keep all of your allowance during the first three months of activity. Your rights will then be recalculated according to the income of your auto-entreprise …

RSAC

Special Register of Commercial Agents

Self-employed traders must be registered with the RSAC.

This registration fee and mandatory is made with the registry of the Commercial Court of your region.

RSI

Social regime of the Independents

The RSI was an organization in charge of the social protection of the self-employed from 2006 to the end of 2017.

It was dissolved on 1 January 2018 to be gradually replaced by the SSI (see below), which is attached to the general social security scheme.

SIREN

Business Directory Identification System

Issued by INSEE, the SIREN number proves the existence of your self-enterprise. It consists of 9 digits and will remain unchanged throughout the life of the company.

This number must appear on all your quotes and invoices.

SIRET

Directory Identification System institutions

When you create your own business, INSEE assigns you an SIRET number, allowing you to identify your company. This will consist of the 9 digits of your SIREN number, followed by 5 digits of identification (a total of 14 digits).

If you change your address, the last 5 digits will be changed and you will receive a new SIRET number.

SPI

Installation Preparation Course

The SPI is an internship lasting a few days to train future entrepreneurs in management, accounting, organization, accounting etc. Only mandatory for self-entrepreneurs wishing to have an activity that depends on the Chamber of Trades and Crafts. These courses are organized by the CMAs. They can also be made online according to your department.

The craftsmen must certify this training to start their activity. Only those who already have a strong experience or a diploma of Bac +2 level with subjects related to the economy or the management can be exempted.

SSI

Social Security of the Independents

Replacing the RSI since 1 January 2018, the SSI provides social protection for the self-employed.

Attached to the CPAM, it was created in the desire to offer the self-employed the same quality of management as the employees. After a two-year transition period to end in 2020, all self-entrepreneurs will be included in the general social security scheme.

VAT

Value added tax

VAT is a tax paid directly by consumers on purchases of goods or services. It is the companies that have to collect the VAT from the customers, then return it to the State.

But self-employed entrepreneurs whose turnover has a certain threshold according to their activity, benefit from an advantage: the VAT-based franchise . This means they do not have to bill it or pay it back.

URSSAF

Union for the Recovery of Social Security Contributions and Family Allowances

The URSSAF is the body responsible for calculating and collecting the social security contributions of self-employed entrepreneurs on behalf of the Social Security of the Independents. All self-entrepreneurs, whatever their activity, therefore pay their social contributions to the URSSAF.

For the liberal professions, it also plays the role of business formality center, being their privileged interlocutor for all the administrative procedure.

---

Also published on Medium.