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26.3 Account Numbering System and Conventions

Understanding PCN Account Numbers​

PCN account numbers follow a logical, hierarchical structure that makes it easy to identify account types and their relationships. Each account number consists of digits that indicate the class, sub-class, and specific account.

Numbering Structure​

Format: XXX.XX or XXXX.XX

  • First digit(s): Indicates the class (1-7)
  • Subsequent digits: Indicate sub-classifications and specific accounts
  • Decimal point: Sometimes used for clarity (optional in practice)

Class 1 Numbering (Capital, Provisions, Financial Debts)​

Range: 10-19

  • 10: Share capital and equity
  • 11: Reserves
  • 13: Provisions
  • 16: Long-term financial debts
  • 17: Current portion of long-term debt

Examples:

  • 101: Share capital (Capital social)
  • 106: Legal reserves (RĂ©serves lĂ©gales)
  • 131: Provisions for risks
  • 161: Long-term bank loans
  • 171: Current portion of long-term loans

Class 2 Numbering (Fixed Assets)​

Range: 20-29

  • 20: Intangible fixed assets
  • 21: Tangible fixed assets
  • 28: Accumulated depreciation
  • 29: Provisions for depreciation

Examples:

  • 201: Intangible fixed assets (Goodwill, patents)
  • 211: Land
  • 213: Buildings
  • 218: Machinery and equipment
  • 281: Accumulated depreciation of buildings
  • 291: Provisions for building depreciation

Class 3 Numbering (Inventory)​

Range: 30-39

  • 30: Raw materials
  • 31: Work in progress
  • 37: Finished goods
  • 39: Inventory provisions

Examples:

  • 301: Raw materials
  • 311: Work in progress
  • 371: Finished goods
  • 391: Provisions for inventory depreciation

Class 4 Numbering (Third-Party Accounts)​

Range: 40-49

  • 40: Suppliers
  • 41: Customers
  • 43: Social charges
  • 44: Other third parties
  • 445: VAT accounts

Examples:

  • 401: Suppliers
  • 411: Customers
  • 431: Social security charges payable
  • 44551: Input VAT recoverable (TVA rĂ©cupĂ©rable)
  • 44571: VAT payable (TVA Ă  payer)
  • 44581: VAT on sales (TVA collectĂ©e)

Class 5 Numbering (Financial Accounts)​

Range: 50-59

  • 50: Cash and bank accounts
  • 51: Short-term investments
  • 53: Cash equivalents

Examples:

  • 512: Bank account (Compte bancaire)
  • 530: Cash (Caisse)
  • 531: Petty cash (Caisse petite)
  • 580: Short-term investments

Class 6 Numbering (Expenses)​

Range: 60-69

  • 60: Purchases
  • 61: External services
  • 62: Personnel expenses
  • 63: Taxes
  • 64: Other operating expenses
  • 65: Financial expenses
  • 66: Exceptional expenses
  • 67: Depreciation and provisions

Examples:

  • 601: Purchases of goods
  • 611: Subcontracted work
  • 621: Salaries
  • 641: Rent
  • 651: Interest expense
  • 671: Depreciation of fixed assets

Class 7 Numbering (Revenues)​

Range: 70-79

  • 70: Sales
  • 71: Production
  • 74: Other operating revenues
  • 75: Financial revenues
  • 76: Exceptional revenues

Examples:

  • 701: Sales of goods
  • 706: Services rendered
  • 751: Interest income
  • 771: Revenue from fixed asset sales

Numbering Conventions​

  1. Sequential Numbering: Accounts within a class are numbered sequentially
  2. Sub-accounting: Many accounts can have sub-accounts (e.g., 411.001, 411.002 for different customers)
  3. Flexibility: Businesses can add custom accounts within the class structure (e.g., 601.001 for specific purchase categories)
  4. Consistency: Account numbers should be used consistently across all transactions

Sub-Accounts and Detail Accounts​

Many PCN accounts support sub-accounts for detailed tracking:

Example: Customer Accounts

  • 411: Customers (main account)
  • 411.001: Customer A
  • 411.002: Customer B
  • 411.003: Customer C

Example: Supplier Accounts

  • 401: Suppliers (main account)
  • 401.001: Supplier X
  • 401.002: Supplier Y

Example: Expense Categories

  • 601: Purchases
  • 601.001: Food purchases
  • 601.002: Beverage purchases
  • 601.003: Packaging purchases

Luxembourg Compliance Note​

While the PCN provides a standard numbering structure, businesses can customize sub-accounts to meet their specific needs. However, the main account numbers (101, 411, 701, etc.) must follow PCN standards. Custom accounts should be documented and explained in your accounting manual.

Think It Through​

Sophie wants to track different types of flour purchases separately (white flour, whole wheat, specialty flours). How can she use PCN account numbering to achieve this while maintaining compliance? What account numbers would she use?

Concepts in Practice​

Bakery Account Structure

Sophie's bakery uses the following PCN structure:

  • 401.001: Flour supplier
  • 401.002: Sugar supplier
  • 401.003: Equipment supplier
  • 411.001: Retail customer accounts
  • 411.002: Wholesale customer accounts
  • 601.001: Flour purchases
  • 601.002: Sugar purchases
  • 701.001: Bread sales
  • 701.002: Pastry sales

This structure allows detailed tracking while maintaining PCN compliance.