> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.flash-payments.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developer.flash-payments.com/accounts/virtual-account-numbers.md).

# Virtual account numbers

Generate named Virtual Account Numbers (aka sub-clients) for your clients' for collection

The sub-client (aka *merchant*) feature allows you to create client accounts for deposit collection purposes. These virtual accounts can be issued to individuals, companies, or other organisations.

{% hint style="info" %}
Note: This feature is **disabled** by default. Contact us if you want it.
{% endhint %}

Each sub-client will receive a dedicated **BSB** and **Vitrual Account Number** (VAN) that you or your clients can use to accept and withdraw domestic AUD transfers within Australia.

{% hint style="warning" %}
IMPORTANT: Your Australian VAN will be restricted to local Australian transfers. For international payments (aka FX payments), we offer different solutions.
{% endhint %}

The **account name** is your sub-client's name. For companies - it's their `tradingAsName` or `legalName`. For individuals - it's their `fullName` (`firstName` + `middleName` + `lastName`).

For `company` sub-clients we also need to record their [principals](/accounts/virtual-account-numbers/create-sub-clients/principals.md) - the people who own or control the business: ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs), beneficial owners, directors, company secretaries and trustees. Our banking partners require this information for every company that holds a virtual account. 

Sub-clients can also be paid by **PayID**. Register an alias at your own domain on a sub-client's virtual account via the [PayIDs API](/accounts/virtual-account-numbers/sub-client-payids.md), and your customer can use it instead of the BSB and account number. Payments to a PayID arrive as ordinary deposits on the sub-client's VAN.

If your Flash account has a multi-currency feature enabled, each of your sub-clients will also have access to virtual accounts in the selected currencies for which you hold balances.

All [deposits](https://developer.flash-payments.com/deposits) sent to your sub-client Virtual Account Numbers (VANs) are booked on your (master-client's) corresponding account balances. **Sub-clients can't have their own balances**.

You can[ disburse funds](https://developer.flash-payments.com/withdrawals/withdraw-funds) and [make FX payments](https://developer.flash-payments.com/payments/send-funds) on behalf of your sub-clients by providing the sub-client ID when you create withdrawals or payments. This sub-client record will then be used as the sender, linked to the transaction, and reported to the government.

Notifications via [webhooks](/basics/webhooks/regular-webhooks.md) will provide important sub-client information as well.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://developer.flash-payments.com/accounts/virtual-account-numbers.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.