Accounting chart of accounts under Circular 99/2025/TT-BTC: Latest update

Accounting chart of accounts Circular 99/2025/TT-BTC It is becoming a focal point of particular interest to the accounting and business communities as it officially takes effect from January 1, 2026. It will not only completely replace... Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC, The new document also brings about a series of fundamental changes such as adding new accounts, abolishing outdated accounts, increasing autonomy for businesses, and strongly aligning with international IFRS standards. Understanding the accounting chart of accounts under Circular 99/2025/TT-BTC not only helps businesses ensure legal compliance but also enhances financial management capabilities and reduces the risk of errors when preparing financial statements for 2026. This article will comprehensively analyze the most important changes, the actual transition roadmap, and an updated table of accounting chart of accounts under Circular 99.

Roadmap for implementing the accounting chart of accounts as stipulated in Circular 99/2025/TT-BTC.

According to the latest legal regulations, the accounting chart of accounts under Circular 99 officially takes effect and will be applied to fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. This is not just a regular amendment but a complete legal framework replacing Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC.

The transition to the accounting system under Circular 99 is strategically significant, shifting from purely book-entry accounting to management accounting and fair value asset valuation. All businesses in Vietnam, regardless of economic sector or field of activity, are subject to this regulation (except for entities with specific accounting regulations or micro-enterprises that are choosing to apply Circular 133). Understanding this roadmap allows businesses sufficient time to upgrade their ERP systems and train personnel to meet the new standards.

Detailed list of accounting accounts in Circular 99

In terms of basic structure, the accounting chart of accounts under Circular 99 still maintains 9 types of accounts in the balance sheet and off-balance sheet accounts to ensure continuity. However, the number of level 1 accounts has been significantly streamlined from 86 to approximately 71 accounts. This reduction is the result of a review process that eliminated accounts that no longer have actual transactions.

Below is a summary table of the main account groups in the accounting chart of accounts as stipulated in Circular 99:

Summary table of the main account groups in the accounting chart of accounts as per Circular 99.

Account type	Account group name	Change characteristics
Type 1	Current assets	Focus on liquidity, detailing short-term receivables and financial investments.
Type 2	Long-term assets	Adding a group of biological assets (Account 215), changing the method of re-evaluating fixed assets.
Type 3	Liabilities	Clearly distinguish between short-term and long-term liabilities, and add an account payable to owners (Account 332).
Type 4	Equity	Restructure contingency funds and investment capital from the state budget.
Type 5	Revenue	Adjust the revenue recognition conditions to align with IFRS 15.
Type 6	Production and business costs	More flexibility in allocating direct and indirect costs is available for cost calculation purposes.
Type 7	Other income	Streamline your irregular income streams.
Type 8	Other expenses	Focus on corporate income tax expenses (current and deferred).
Type 9	Determine business results	The closing process has been simplified to reduce the pressure of year-end closing.

Mastering the accounting chart of accounts as outlined in Circular 99 is a prerequisite for accurate accounting from the very first day of the 2026 fiscal year, avoiding unnecessary errors when preparing financial statements.

The core changes in the accounting chart of accounts are outlined in Circular 99.

Below are the pivotal changes brought about by Circular 99 on the accounting chart of accounts:

Adding new accounts that are aligned with international financial standards (IFRS)

The Ministry of Finance, when developing the accounting chart of accounts in Circular 99, introduced two notable new accounts:

• Account 215 – Biological Assets: Specifically for units operating in the agricultural and forestry sectors. Previously, accounting for rubber trees, dairy herds, etc., often caused controversy between fixed assets and inventory. With the accounting system under Circular 99, this issue has been thoroughly resolved according to international models.
• Account 332 – Dividend and Profit Payable: This helps to clearly separate financial obligations from shareholders. This is extremely important for listed companies when they need to be transparent about dividend payments.

Abolish "subsidized" accounts.

In order to streamline the corporate accounting system, Circular 99 has officially eliminated the following accounting chart of accounts:

• Account 161 (Expenditure on business activities), Account 441 (Capital investment for basic construction), Account 461 (Funding for business activities). This change in the accounting system under Circular 99 forces businesses to reclassify capital sources based on the nature of owner's equity or liabilities, instead of based on their origin from the budget as before.

Change the terminology and title of the report.

Beyond just numbering, the accounting chart of accounts under Circular 99 also changes the language of presentation. The change in name from Balance Sheet to Statement of Financial Position accurately reflects the report's role in providing a comprehensive picture of financial health at a given point in time, rather than simply a spreadsheet balancing debits and credits.

Maximum autonomy for corporate accountants.

One of the outstanding advantages of the accounting chart of accounts under Circular 99 is its flexibility. Businesses no longer have to request permission every time they want to open additional detailed accounts. Businesses can freely design level 2 and level 3 accounts to serve revenue management by region, or cost management by project, as long as it does not distort the nature of the accounts in the accounting chart of accounts under Circular 99.

The corporate income tax accounting process is more transparent.

With the restructuring of account 821, the accounting system under Circular 99 requires accountants to clearly understand temporary and permanent differences. This helps the 2026 financial statements accurately reflect the actual tax payable and the tax that will be refunded in the future, helping investors accurately assess the value of the business.

See details: Balance sheet according to Circular 99.

Analyzing the impact of the accounting chart of accounts under Circular 99 on management.

The implementation of the accounting system outlined in Circular 99 is not solely the responsibility of the accounting department; it also directly impacts how management views assets and capital.

Firstly, revaluing assets at fair value in the accounting system under Circular 99 will change the total asset value on the report. This could affect financial indicators such as ROA (Return on Assets) or the debt-to-equity ratio.

Secondly, the accounting system outlined in Circular 99 requires close coordination between the technical, production, and accounting departments. Accountants now need technical knowledge to determine the asset growth cycle, thereby providing the most accurate depreciation or impairment assessment according to the Circular 99 accounting system.

Comparison between Circular 200/2014/TT-BTC and Circular 99/2025/TT-BTC

To help businesses clearly see the differences between the old accounting system and the new model as stipulated in 2026, it is essential to compare Circular 200 and Circular 99/2025/TT-BTC side-by-side. The differences lie not only in the names of accounts or the way transactions are recorded, but also reflect a profound shift in financial management thinking, from accounting focused on record-keeping to accounting focused on decision-making. The comparison table below will help businesses clearly identify the core changes, from accounting philosophy and asset handling methods to the ability to integrate with international IFRS standards.

Comparison table between Circular 200 and Circular 99.

Characteristic	Circular 200	Circular 99
Governing philosophy	Value balance sheets.	Prioritize the usefulness of information to users.
Asset disposal	Mainly original price	Allows for the combination of historical cost and fair value.
Account structure	Strictly speaking, the account number is mandatory.	Flexibility is key; the numbering system provides the framework, while the details are the prerogative of the business.
Comparability	It's difficult to compare them with multinational corporations.	Easily convert to IFRS reports.

Clearly, the transition to the accounting system under Circular 99 is a significant step forward in increasing transparency in Vietnam's financial market.

Conclude

The accounting system outlined in Circular 99/2025/TT-BTC represents not only a technical change in accounting but also a significant transformation of Vietnamese corporate accounting towards transparency, modernity, and international integration. The shift from a bookkeeping mindset to strategic financial management will help businesses improve reporting quality, optimize operational efficiency, and create a significant advantage when working with investors, banks, and international auditors. 

2026 will be a pivotal year, so businesses need to proactively review their accounting systems or seek advice. full accounting service from professional and reputable units. Specialized units accounting services For example, the MAN – Master Accountant Network will quickly grasp and update changes in policies, thereby providing timely support to businesses instead of requiring training for the team.

Businesses needing in-depth advice on converting accounting systems, reviewing opening balances, or standardizing financial statements according to the latest regulations should contact the MAN – Master Accountant Network team immediately for quick, accurate, and optimal support.

Contact information MAN – Master Accountant Network

• Address: No. 19A, Street 43, Tan Thuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
• Mobile/Zalo: 0903 963 163 – 0903 428 622
• Email: man@man.net.vn

Content production by: Mr. Le Hoang Tuyen – Founder & CEO MAN – Master Accountant Network, Vietnamese CPA Auditor with over 30 years of experience in Accounting, Auditing and Financial Consulting.

Questions and answers regarding the accounting chart of accounts under Circular 99.

Is the transfer of balances from abolished accounts (such as account 441) into the accounting system under Circular 99 carried out retrospectively or non-retrospectively?

According to the accounting chart of accounts stipulated in Circular 99, this change is considered a change in accounting policy as required by legal documents. Typically, businesses will make non-retroactive adjustments to the opening balances for 2026. However, to ensure the comparability of information on the Statement of Financial Position, accountants need to restate the figures in the "Opening Balances" column of the 2026 report to match the new classification of the accounting chart of accounts under Circular 99.

How do you determine the fair value for Account 215?

This presents a significant technical challenge within the Circular 99 accounting system. In the absence of an active market to determine the listing price, businesses can use the present value method of the expected net cash flows from the asset, or use the original cost minus accumulated depreciation and impairment. The Circular 99 accounting system encourages the hiring of independent valuation firms to ensure objectivity for high-value biological assets.

What about exchange rate differences arising from the revaluation of monetary items denominated in foreign currencies?

The accounting system under Circular 99 maintains the principle of accounting for exchange rate differences in account 413 during the pre-operational phase for certain types of businesses. For most other businesses, the exchange rate difference from the year-end revaluation will be immediately transferred to financial revenue or expenses in the period, accurately reflecting the nature of the change in asset value.

Is a business allowed to change account numbers in its accounting system to match the coding system of its parent company abroad?

Businesses are required to use the correct account numbers and names for level 1 and level 2 accounts as stipulated in the Ministry of Finance's catalog when submitting reports to relevant authorities in Vietnam. However, for management purposes and to consolidate reports with the parent company, businesses can establish a parallel coding system to the group's system.