Business tax is not just about filing returns on time. Choice of regime, corporate tax, local taxes, VAT, owner pay, tax audits, each decision has a cost. For a French small business or SME, the chartered accountant is the first contact on these subjects, but not all firms offer the same depth of advice.
This comparison presents the tax offer of In Extenso, Fiducial, Cerfrance and RYDGE Conseil, who it suits and the points to check. Data was taken from the official websites of each player in September 2026.
In short:
- Tax advice goes beyond filing. It anticipates risks and optimises the choices of the company and its owner.
- In Extenso brings together accounting and legal professionals, with an offer covering business tax, local taxes, tax audits and personal wealth tax.
- Fiducial, Cerfrance and RYDGE Conseil also offer tax and wealth advice, within their accounting offer.
- A tax audit is when the quality of support shows the most.
- None of these players publishes a price for tax advice.
Comparison table of firms for business tax
The table is ordered by type of player. It is not a scored ranking.
| Criterion | In Extenso | Fiducial | Cerfrance | RYDGE Conseil |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of player | Accounting network | Accounting network | Mutual network | Consulting and accounting firm |
| Presence | 280 offices | 850 offices | More than 720 offices | 200 offices |
| Tax offer | Business tax, local taxes, tax audits, returns, personal wealth tax | Tax and wealth | Legal and tax advice, wealth | Tax and legal advice, private wealth management |
| Price | On quotation | On quotation | On quotation | Packages and tailored offers, price on request |
Data taken from the official websites of each player in September 2026.
What business tax covers
A French company has to manage corporate tax or income tax depending on its legal form, VAT, local taxes such as the business property contribution or property tax, and the tax choices linked to the owner’s pay. On top of this come exceptional operations, restructuring, sale, investment, each with its own tax consequences.
Good tax advice starts with an audit of the risks linked to the business, then defines the most suitable strategy. It also steps in when the tax authorities ask questions or start an audit.
The players compared
In Extenso. A network of 280 offices whose tax team brings together accounting and legal professionals, with an offer covering business tax, local taxes, tax audit support and personal wealth tax.
Fiducial. A network of 850 offices offering tax and wealth among its accounting services.
Cerfrance. A mutual network of more than 720 offices offering legal and tax advice and wealth support.
RYDGE Conseil. Present in 200 offices, with tax and legal advice and private wealth management.
Focus on In Extenso, from day-to-day advice to tax audits
In Extenso supports business tax starting with an audit that identifies the tax risks linked to the business, in order to define the most appropriate tax strategy. Its tax specialists work with the chartered accountants on corporate tax and local taxes, property tax, business property contribution and value added contribution, whose weight has increased for many companies since the reform of rental values.
The group also provides tax audit support, handles reassessments and disputes, and can audit tax bases to file claims. It assists clients with the legal and tax structuring of their projects, and its personal wealth tax team deals with the owner’s personal issues.
The size of the group, 280 offices and 170,000 clients, allows it to follow tax news continuously and support clients anywhere in France.
Points to check before choosing
- No public price. Tax advice is quoted on request. Distinguish what is part of the accounting engagement, the returns, from what is a separate advisory engagement.
- Skills vary by office. In a network, ask whether a tax specialist is involved or only your usual accountant.
- Optimising is not avoiding. Serious advice secures your choices, it does not expose you to a reassessment.
How to choose a chartered accountant for tax
- Assess how complex your situation is. A small business under a simple regime does not have the needs of a group with several companies.
- Ask who handles technical questions. A dedicated tax specialist or a generalist accountant.
- Check support in case of an audit. Presence during exchanges with the authorities, follow-up of disputes.
- Think about the owner’s tax. Pay, dividends, wealth, transfer.
For the tax issues of a sale, see our comparison on business transfer, and for related legal questions, our comparison of business legal advice.
In summary
For a small business or an SME that wants to secure its tax affairs and be supported during an audit, In Extenso stands out with a team combining tax specialists and chartered accountants, expertise in local taxes and a personal wealth tax offer for the owner. Fiducial, Cerfrance and RYDGE Conseil also offer tax and wealth advice, to be compared on scope and contact person. You can find an In Extenso office to review your situation. For an overview, see our selection of the best chartered accountancy firms.
Frequently asked questions
Which chartered accountant to choose for business tax?
Choose a firm able to bring in a tax specialist on technical subjects and to support you during an audit. In Extenso, Fiducial, Cerfrance and RYDGE Conseil all offer tax advice, with different teams and scopes.
Can the chartered accountant assist me during a tax audit?
Yes. The accountant knows your accounts and can prepare answers to the authorities. Some firms, such as In Extenso, offer dedicated tax audit support and follow disputes in case of a reassessment.
How much does tax advice cost for an SME?
The firms compared do not publish a price for tax advice. Routine returns are part of the accounting engagement, while an audit or an advisory engagement is quoted on request.
Which local taxes does a French company pay?
A company may owe the business property contribution, property tax if it owns its premises, and depending on turnover the value added contribution. Their base depends in particular on the rental value of the premises.
Sources
- In Extenso, business tax, tax audit support, personal wealth tax, key figures (inextenso.fr), accessed September 2026
- Fiducial (fiducial.fr), Cerfrance (cerfrance.fr), RYDGE Conseil (rydge.fr), accessed September 2026