Is the CRA mandatory for all consultants?

The CRA is mandatory for consultants in salary portage (Decree 2008-1330). For IT services firms with standard contracts, the timesheet is used; the CRA may be required by some clients for mission traceability.

What is the legal framework for the CRA?

The framework is set by Decree no. 2008-1330 of 17 December 2008. It requires a monthly activity report for employees in portage, with validation by the client and the portage company.

How often must the CRA be completed?

The CRA is prepared monthly. It must cover each working day of the month and be sent within the deadlines set by the portage company (often before the 5th of the following month).

Who must validate the CRA?

The CRA must be validated by the client (ordering party) who attests to the hours worked, then by the portage company. Double validation is a legal requirement.

What happens if the CRA is not submitted or is late?

A missing or late CRA can lead to a delay or suspension of salary payment by the portage company. Recurring failure may result in contractual sanctions.

Can a CRA that has already been validated be modified?

In case of error, a modification can be requested according to the portage company's rules. CRAs already sent to payroll may require an amendment or adjustment the following month.

Must CRAs be kept and for how long?

Yes. CRAs must be kept for at least 5 years to meet legal obligations and in case of audit (URSSAF, labour inspection).

What is the difference between CRA and timesheet?

The CRA is a regulatory monthly document for salary portage, with a qualitative and justificatory purpose. The timesheet is a time-tracking tool (often daily/weekly) used for billing and steering, especially in IT services. Both can coexist.

Can the CRA be completed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signature and storage are allowed provided validity conditions are met (identification, integrity, timestamp). Compliant CRA software meets these requirements.

Is the client's electronic signature valid?

Yes, electronic signature has the same value as a handwritten signature when it uses a reliable process (signatory identification, link to the document).

Should supporting documents (attendance, order forms) be attached?

It depends on the portage company's requirements. Some ask for additional documents; the CRA itself remains the core document. Keeping proof internally is recommended.

How to handle days of leave or absence in the CRA?

Leave and absences (sickness, training, etc.) are usually indicated in the CRA with the type of absence. Worked hours are limited to days actually worked at the client.

Is CRA software mandatory?

No, the law does not require software. However, compliant CRA software simplifies entry, double validation, traceability and storage, and reduces errors and omissions.

What criteria for choosing CRA software?

Compliance with the decree, simple and fast entry, double validation (client + portage), electronic signature, reminders, secure storage, payroll/portage integration if needed. See our [CRA software guide](/en/blog/cra-software-complete-guide-2026).

Free or paid CRA software?

Free solutions exist but are often limited (basic forms, few reminders, no integration). Paid software offers compliance, time savings and support. Comparison: [Free CRA software vs alternatives](/en/blog/free-cra-software-comparison-alternatives-2026).

Can the CRA be generated from the timesheet?

Yes. Some software (including TimeTrack) can produce a compliant CRA from timesheet data: a single entry for time, with the CRA generated or pre-filled for validation.

Who fills in the CRA: the consultant or the company?

The consultant fills in the CRA (hours, activities). The client validates, then the portage company validates. In IT services, the admin can centralize CRAs if the process allows.

Can you have a partial CRA (incomplete month)?

Yes. When a mission starts or ends mid-month, the CRA only covers the relevant period. Non-worked days (before or after) are handled according to portage rules (leave, bench, etc.).

CRA and remote work: specific rules?

The same rules apply. Place of work (client office or remote) may be indicated if the portage company or client requires it. The CRA attests to working time, not location.

How to prove hours in case of dispute?

The CRA validated by the client and portage company is the main evidence. Keeping exchanges (emails, software history) and possibly access/attendance records strengthens traceability.

Several missions in the month: one CRA or several?

It depends on portage company practice: one CRA per mission, or one CRA with detail per mission/client. The important thing is that all hours and activities are covered and validated.

What is the difference between portage CRA and CRA in IT services?

In portage, the CRA is a mandatory legal document. In IT services, 'CRA' often refers to a client activity report (qualitative description); legal and payroll follow-up relies more on the timesheet and mission contract.

Common mistakes to avoid on the CRA?

Missing days, inconsistent hours/activities, late validation, missing signature, wrong client or mission. Entering regularly and reviewing before sending reduces errors.

Can the CRA serve as proof for client billing?

Yes. In portage, the validated CRA justifies activity and is the basis for payment by the portage company. In IT services, the client CRA (activity description) often complements the timesheet for billing and client relations.

CRA and payroll/portage integration?

Serious CRA software offers export or integration with the payroll or portage system. This avoids double entry and reduces transfer errors.

Automatic reminders for the CRA?

Yes. Many CRA tools send reminders (consultant, client) for entry and validation before deadlines. TimeTrack includes configurable reminders.

Where to find a CRA template?

Your portage company usually provides a template or access to a tool. Sample templates are also available online. For a complete, compliant solution, [dedicated CRA software](/en/blog/cra-software-complete-guide-2026) is recommended.

Activity Report (CRA) FAQ: 30 Frequently Asked Questions in 2026

Q: What is a CRA and what is it for?

The CRA (Compte Rendu d'Activité / Activity Report) is a mandatory document in France for consultants in salary portage. It describes activities carried out and hours worked during the month. It is used to justify activity to the portage company and ensure legal compliance.

Discover answers to the 30 most common questions about the CRA (Activity Report), salary portage and CRA software in 2026.

CRA and legal framework

What is a CRA and what is it for?

The CRA (Compte Rendu d'Activité / Activity Report) is a mandatory document in France for consultants in salary portage. It describes activities carried out and hours worked during the month, and is used to justify activity to the portage company and ensure legal compliance (Decree 2008-1330).

Obligations and frequency

The CRA is prepared monthly, must be validated by the client then by the portage company, and must be kept for at least 5 years. Non-submission or late submission can lead to consequences (salary delay, sanctions) under your contract.

CRA vs timesheet

The CRA is a regulatory, monthly document for portage. The timesheet is a time-tracking tool (often daily/weekly) used for billing and steering in IT services. Both can coexist; some software generates the CRA from the timesheet.

Filling and validation

Mandatory content

The CRA must contain: the period (month), hours worked per day, nature of activities, identification of consultant and client, and validations. Templates may add mission or project detail.

Signature and proof

Electronic signature (client and portage) is valid if the process is reliable. Electronic storage is allowed. Attaching proof (attendance, order forms) depends on your portage company's requirements; keeping proof internally is recommended.

Modifications and deadlines

A CRA already validated can be modified according to portage rules (amendment, adjustment). Client validation deadlines are typically 5 to 10 working days to meet payroll deadlines.

CRA software

Mandatory or not and selection criteria

CRA software is not legally required, but it makes compliance, double validation, traceability and storage easier. Useful criteria: compliance with the decree, simple entry, reminders, electronic signature, payroll/portage integration. See our CRA software guide and comparison of free CRA software.

CRA generated from timesheet

With a tool like TimeTrack, a single timesheet entry can be used to produce a compliant CRA: time savings and consistency between time worked and CRA.

Salary portage and IT services

In portage, the CRA is the central legal document. In IT services, "CRA" often means a client activity report (qualitative); legal and payroll follow-up relies on the timesheet and contract. To compare CRA and timesheet, see our dedicated guide.

Conclusion

Filling in and having your CRA validated on time reduces risk and disputes. Suitable CRA software and, if needed, a tool that links CRA and timesheet, save time while staying compliant.

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