# Companies > In Odoo, a company is an individual business entity that operates independently, with its own legal identity, financial records. Fonte: https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/empresas/ In Odoo, a company is an individual business entity that operates independently, with its own legal identity, financial records, and specific operational settings. See also - [Branches](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/empresas/#general-companies-branches) - Multi-company []() ## Configuration To set up a company, follow these steps: 1. [Configure the company details](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/empresas/#general-companies-company). 2. [Manage users and their access rights](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/empresas/#general-companies-users). 3. [Customize the document layout](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/empresas/#general-companies-document-layout). []() ### Company To create a company, open the Settings app, navigate to the **Companies** section, and click oi-arrow-right **Manage Companies**. In the **Companies** list view, click **New** and configure the following fields: - **Company Name** - **Address** - **Tax ID**: tax identification number. - **LEI**: legal entity identifier. - **Company ID**: company's registry number, if different from **Tax ID** - [Currency](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/financeiro/multimoeda/#multi-currency-config-main-currency) - **Phone** and **Mobile** - **Email** - **Website** - **Email Domain** - **Color** Upload the company's logo and **Save**. Note - Alternatively, it is possible to create a company by going to **Settings -> Users & Companies -> Companies**. - The company's **General information** may vary based on the fiscal localization. []() ### Users After setting up a company, add [users](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/usuarios/) and configure their [access](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/usuarios/#users-add-individual) and [access rights](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/direitos-de-acesso/). See also [Users in multi-company environment](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/usuarios/#users-multi-companies) []() ### Document layout Configure the default layout for all company documents. []() ## Branches Branches represent subdivisions within a company, such as regional offices or departments, that operate under a common parent company. They support hierarchical company structures through [configurable settings](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/empresas/#general-companies-branches-configuration), enabling [comprehensive or branch-specific views](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/empresas/#general-companies-branches-consolidated-view) with flexible [access control](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/empresas/#general-companies-branches-user-access), [entity-specific or shared record visibility](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/empresas/#general-companies-branches-shared-records), and customizable [reporting](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/empresas/#general-companies-branches-reporting). Note Independent subsidiaries should be created as additional companies, not branches. See also - Multi-company - Branch accounting []() ### Configuration Each branch is linked to its parent company but may contain different or specific information, such as its address or logo. A branch can be a parent company of branches at a lower level to create a multi-level architecture. Important - Clarify the company's structure and hierarchy before creating companies and branches in Odoo. A company defined as a parent cannot be converted into a branch later, as doing so may result in [access rights](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/direitos-de-acesso/) issues. - Always create the parent company first. To create a branch, follow these steps in the Settings app: 1. Navigate to the **Companies** section, click oi-arrow-right **Manage Companies**, or go to **Settings -> Users & Companies -> Companies**. 2. In the **Companies** list view, open the desired parent company form. 3. In the **Branches** tab, click **Add a line** and fill in the [General Information](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/empresas/#general-companies-company) fields in the **Create Branches** window. To create branches from a branch and create a multi-level architecture, click **Add a line** in the new branch's **Branches** tab. Tip Activate the [developer mode](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/modo-de-desenvolvedor-modo-de-depuracao/#developer-mode) to set social media accounts and company-specific email system parameters. Warning Adding a branch to a company enables multi-company functions. []() ### Comprehensive or branch-specific view Note Selecting the parent company automatically links all its branches, while selecting a branch connects to that branch only. To switch between them, use the company selector. All configurations, except for accounting settings inherited from the parent company, must be set individually per branch. This allows for branch-specific setups such as loyalty programs, price lists, or inventory locations. []() #### User access Like in a multi-company environment, parent companies and branches support flexible [user access](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/usuarios/#users-multi-companies) control and [access rights](https://docs.kmee.com.br/en/odoo/18.0/modules/administracao/direitos-de-acesso/). User access can be granted or restricted at the parent company level, the branch level, or both. For example, a user can be limited to a specific branch, while an administrator with access to the parent company can manage all associated branches. []() #### Shared records In Odoo, some records are, by default, either specific to a single entity or shared across the parent company and all its branches. When creating a quotation, invoice, or vendor bill, the active company or branch is automatically selected and displayed in the **Company** field. If the active company is the parent company or one of its branches, then records specifically linked to that entity are accessible only within that entity and will only be visible when the company or branch is selected using the company selector. In contrast, some records, such as products or contacts, are not tied to any particular entity and are shared by default across the parent company and all its branches. However, they can be restricted to a single entity by setting the appropriate value in the **Company** field, if needed. See also Branches accounting []() #### Reporting All reports can be generated for the parent company alone or with its branches, based on user access.