"Which businesses are affected by Circular 200?" is a question many accountants and business owners are concerned about during the transition to the new accounting system. This is especially true from 2026, when the corporate accounting system in Vietnam begins to apply the updated regulations. Circular 99/2025/TT-BTCTherefore, correctly identifying the subjects to which Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC applies becomes very important.
As of March 2026, understanding the scope of application of Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC is crucial not only for businesses to comply with legal regulations but also to ensure accurate financial reporting, tax settlement, and accounting system transitions. To determine which businesses are subject to Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC, both the application date and the specific characteristics of each entity must be considered.
Current status of application of Circular 200/2014/ND-CP during peak season.
The corporate accounting system in Vietnam is currently undergoing a crucial transition. According to Article 31 of Circular 99/2025/TT-BTC, Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC – the accounting regime that has been widely applied for over 10 years – is gradually being replaced by new regulations that are more in line with modern financial management trends.
Understanding the scope of application of Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC during this period helps businesses avoid errors in accounting systems, recording methods, and financial reporting.
The current legal situation can be summarized through the following key milestones:
- Circular 99/2025/TT-BTC officially takes effect from January 1, 2026, bringing about many changes in accounting methods and financial statement structure.
- Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC This now only applies to businesses whose accounting period began before 2026.
- Units entering a new fiscal year from 2026 onwards will have to apply the new accounting system as stipulated in the regulations.
In this context, accurately determining which businesses are still subject to Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC is crucial to ensuring the continuity of the accounting system.
Which businesses are in the transitional period of Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC?
In 2026, the scope of application of Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC will primarily depend on the start date of the enterprise's fiscal year. According to accounting principles and transitional regulations of the Ministry of Finance, entities will be classified into specific groups.
Businesses whose fiscal year begins before January 1, 2026
This group of entities is still applying Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC for the entire current accounting cycle.
For example: If a business adopts a staggered fiscal year, starting on April 1, 2025 and ending on March 31, 2026, then the entire accounting period must still comply with Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC. Changing the accounting system mid-period would disrupt the consistency of the data system and be inconsistent with accounting principles.
Therefore, in this case, Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC remains the legal basis for preparing accounting records and financial statements.
Businesses subject to special transitional status
Some entities may continue to apply Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC for a short period due to incomplete accounting software systems or technological infrastructure needed for transitioning to the new system.
According to the Ministry of Finance's guidelines, businesses in this situation need to have a clear transition plan and update their accounting systems as soon as possible.
This group of businesses had previously applied Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC before the new regulations came into effect.
Prior to the issuance of the new accounting system, Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC served as the dominant accounting regime for many types of businesses in Vietnam.
Commonly applicable groups include:
Large-scale businesses
Businesses with high charter capital, complex organizational structures, or numerous subsidiaries often apply Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC to manage assets, capital, and accounting items in detail.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises
Many FDI enterprises choose Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC because its accounting system and financial reporting methods are structured close to international accounting standards.
Public companies and listed businesses
Joint-stock companies listed on the stock market often apply Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC to ensure financial transparency and internal control.
Branches and subsidiaries
Branches and representative offices with their own accounting systems also apply Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC in cases where they are authorized by the parent company to handle accounting independently.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a need for detailed management.
Although small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can adopt a simpler accounting system, many still choose Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC for strict financial management and standardized reporting.
Comparing the scope of application between Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC and Circular 99/2025/ND-CP
To understand the differences in scope of application between the old accounting system and the new regulations, businesses need to directly compare key criteria such as the scope of application, effective date, and financial management objectives. The summary table below clarifies the differences between Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC and Circular 99/2025/TT-BTC, thereby helping accountants accurately determine the accounting system suitable for the business's financial period.
| Criteria | Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC | Circular 99/2025/TT-BTC |
| Legal status | We are currently in a transitional phase. | Officially effective from January 1, 2026. |
| Main target | Large enterprises, FDI, and public companies. | Businesses are starting a new fiscal year. |
| Fiscal year conditions | Start before January 1, 2026. | Starting from January 1, 2026 onwards. |
| Management objectives | Detailed accounting management. | Towards international standards and financial transparency. |
The comparison table above helps businesses better identify the scope of application of Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC compared to the new accounting system.
Guidance on transitioning when businesses are applying Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC
During the transition from Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC to the new accounting system, businesses need to take several important steps to avoid discrepancies in accounting data.
Identify the right time for transition.
If the company's fiscal year begins on January 1, 2026, the adoption of the new accounting system replacing Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC is mandatory.
Review of accounting policies
Businesses need to review all their accounting policies, chart of accounts, and recording methods to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
Notify the tax authorities.
After changing the accounting system, the accounting department needs to notify the tax authority directly responsible for its management about the updated accounting policy.
Check the opening balance.
When transitioning from Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC, businesses need to carefully reconcile the ending balances to ensure that the data transferred to the new accounting system is accurate.
Conclude
By 2026, the scope of application of Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC will have narrowed significantly and will mainly apply to businesses whose accounting periods began before 2026 or which fall under the category of special transitional provisions.
Understanding the scope of application of Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC helps businesses choose the correct accounting system, avoiding errors when preparing financial statements and settling taxes. In the context of Vietnam's accounting system moving towards international standards, proactively preparing for the transition to the new accounting system will help businesses ensure transparency and sustainable development.
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Content is moderated by: Mr. Le Hoang Tuyen – Founder & CEO of Man, CPA Vietnam Auditor with over 30 years of experience in Accounting, Auditing and Financial Consulting.
Answering questions regarding the transition of businesses from Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC to Circular 99.
No. If a business's fiscal year begins on or after January 1, 2026, it must apply the new accounting system as currently stipulated. In this case, Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC will no longer be the legal basis for preparing accounting books or financial statements.
Yes. When a business transitions from Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC to the new accounting system, the accounting department needs to update its accounting policies and notify the directly supervising tax authority. This notification helps ensure transparency in the accounting system and avoids legal risks during tax audits.
When transitioning from Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC, businesses need to pay attention to several important issues: Reviewing the accounting chart of accounts currently in use, reconciling ending balances before switching to the new system, updating accounting software to comply with the new accounting regulations, and ensuring that accounting data is accurately converted to avoid discrepancies in financial reports. Can businesses starting their fiscal year on January 1, 2026, apply Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC?
Do businesses currently applying Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC need to notify the authorities when switching to a new accounting system?
What should be considered when transitioning from Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC to the new accounting system?
