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Knowledgebase
Accounting Services in Switzerland 2025: Bookkeeping, Payroll & Tax Compliance
Alex Buri, Off-Counsel
7 April, 2025
Table of Contents
1. Who needs an accountant in Switzerland?
2. Services offered by our accountants in Switzerland
3. Our main accounting services for companies in Switzerland
4. Setting up taxation for a Swiss company
5. Bookkeeping services in Switzerland
6. Audit services in Switzerland
7. Payroll and HR services for Swiss companies
8. Accounting Standards in Switzerland
9. Regulations for accounting procedures presented by our accountant in Switzerland
10. Financial documents for Swiss commercial companies
11. Accounting services in various cities across the country
12. Why externalize the accounting department?
13. The Swiss taxation system
14. FAQ
2. Services offered by our accountants in Switzerland
3. Our main accounting services for companies in Switzerland
4. Setting up taxation for a Swiss company
5. Bookkeeping services in Switzerland
6. Audit services in Switzerland
7. Payroll and HR services for Swiss companies
8. Accounting Standards in Switzerland
9. Regulations for accounting procedures presented by our accountant in Switzerland
10. Financial documents for Swiss commercial companies
11. Accounting services in various cities across the country
12. Why externalize the accounting department?
13. The Swiss taxation system
14. FAQ
Who needs an accountant in Switzerland?
After starting a business in Switzerland, most foreign investors will require reliable accounting services to ensure full compliance with the country’s tax and bookkeeping rules. Our experienced accountants in Switzerland are ready to support companies of all sizes with personalized solutions tailored to their sector and financial goals.
Working with a local accountant helps avoid common regulatory pitfalls and ensures that your financial reporting is aligned with Swiss laws and international standards.
Working with a local accountant helps avoid common regulatory pitfalls and ensures that your financial reporting is aligned with Swiss laws and international standards.
Services offered by our accountants in Switzerland
Our accountants in Switzerland offer a broad range of financial and administrative services adapted to the needs of both local businesses and foreign investors. Whether you're launching a startup, expanding an international brand, or managing a holding company, we tailor our assistance to fit your operational and regulatory landscape.
Core services offered:
Our Swiss accounting specialists also handle:
We help simplify internal processes while ensuring full compliance with both national and international regulations.
- Preparation for financial audits;
- Interaction with Swiss tax authorities;
- Liaison with social security and pension funds;
- Reporting adapted to international group requirements.
We help simplify internal processes while ensuring full compliance with both national and international regulations.
Our main accounting services for companies in Switzerland
Our accounting firm provides comprehensive support to businesses that operate under Swiss law. Whether you're managing a limited liability company (GmbH), a joint stock company (SA), or a branch of a foreign enterprise, our services ensure accurate records and reporting.
We adapt our approach based on company size, industry sector, and applicable regulations.
We adapt our approach based on company size, industry sector, and applicable regulations.
We offer:
We work with modern accounting platforms and tailor each workflow to ensure compliance with Swiss Code of Obligations, Swiss GAAP FER, or IFRS, depending on your company’s obligations or international reporting structure.
Our team ensures not only timely and accurate submissions, but also proactive communication with authorities to address tax queries and audits.
Our team ensures not only timely and accurate submissions, but also proactive communication with authorities to address tax queries and audits.
Setting up taxation for a Swiss company
Every Swiss company must be registered for taxation with both federal and cantonal authorities. Our experts assist in coordinating these registrations and ensuring your business complies with all tax requirements from day one.
What we handle:
- Corporate income tax registration
- VAT registration and number issuance
- Withholding tax declarations (if dividends or royalties are paid)
- Preparation of initial tax filings and advance tax payments
- Application of double tax treaty benefits, where applicable
We also help clients evaluate which canton is most suitable from a tax optimization perspective. Since tax rates vary significantly between cantons (ranging from 12% to 25%), selecting the right location can have a major impact on your long-term financial performance.
Our team ensures that all setup steps are completed efficiently and that your accounting structure is aligned with both Swiss and international tax regulations.
Our team ensures that all setup steps are completed efficiently and that your accounting structure is aligned with both Swiss and international tax regulations.
Bookkeeping services in Switzerland
Swiss companies are required by law to maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records. Our bookkeeping services ensure full compliance with the Swiss Code of Obligations and facilitate efficient year-end reporting, audits, and tax declarations.
Key bookkeeping tasks:
Our bookkeepers work with leading accounting platforms and customize the chart of accounts according to the client’s industry, group reporting obligations, and VAT status.
We offer on-site and remote solutions, giving flexibility to foreign investors and business owners without a permanent presence in Switzerland.
We offer on-site and remote solutions, giving flexibility to foreign investors and business owners without a permanent presence in Switzerland.
Get in touch
Please contact us directly or via email if you require assistance. We are here to help you move forward.
Audit services in Switzerland
In Switzerland, audit requirements depend on the size and legal form of the company. Our audit services are tailored to both mandatory and voluntary audits, ensuring regulatory compliance and transparent financial reporting.
Types of audits:
What our audit support includes:
- Coordination with licensed external auditors registered with the FAOA;
- Pre-audit checks to ensure accounting accuracy and regulatory readiness;
- Preparation of documentation and supporting schedules;
- Audit representation during external reviews;
- Advisory on improving internal controls and financial systems.
Our audit specialists can also support international firms subject to group-level consolidation or those needing IFRS-compliant audits.
Payroll and HR services for Swiss companies
Managing payroll and HR compliance in Switzerland requires adherence to detailed legal and procedural standards. Our accounting firm supports employers in handling all aspects of personnel management, ensuring lawful compensation and reporting.
Our payroll & HR services include:
We also assist with drafting internal regulations, employment policies, and expatriate compensation planning.
Our payroll systems are digitized and encrypted, with secure cloud access for HR managers and company executives.
Our payroll systems are digitized and encrypted, with secure cloud access for HR managers and company executives.
Accounting Standards in Switzerland
Swiss companies are required to follow recognized accounting standards based on their size, ownership structure, and financial reporting objectives. Our accountants assist clients in adopting and maintaining the correct framework.
Commonly used accounting standards:
The selection of a reporting standard depends on:
We support companies with:
Our role is to ensure that your accounting system matches your strategic needs, facilitates transparency, and meets both national and international obligations.
- Legal requirements (e.g., listing on a stock exchange);
- Stakeholder expectations (investors, banks);
- Group consolidation needs;
- Sector-specific practices.
We support companies with:
- Transitioning from one standard to another (e.g., CO to IFRS);
- Creating conversion templates and reports;
- Training internal staff on new policies;
- Ensuring tax and audit compatibility.
Our role is to ensure that your accounting system matches your strategic needs, facilitates transparency, and meets both national and international obligations.
Regulations for accounting procedures presented by our accountant in Switzerland
Our accountants in Switzerland ensure that your company follows the national accounting and financial reporting obligations, as stipulated in the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO).
Legal obligations:
Accounting must be true and fair, reflecting the actual financial situation of the company. Additional disclosure is required for:
Our firm ensures your company complies with all local regulations and provides audit-ready financial packages.
- Group companies with controlling interests;
- Listed firms or companies deemed of public interest;
- Enterprises exceeding thresholds defined for ordinary audits.
Our firm ensures your company complies with all local regulations and provides audit-ready financial packages.
Financial documents for Swiss commercial companies
Swiss commercial entities are obligated to prepare a specific set of financial documents that reflect their activities and comply with regulatory standards. These reports are essential for internal management, tax purposes, and external stakeholders such as investors and banks.
Required financial documents:
These documents must be prepared annually and in accordance with the Swiss Code of Obligations or the applicable financial reporting standard (e.g. Swiss GAAP FER or IFRS).
Companies must ensure accuracy, clarity, and completeness in financial reporting to maintain good standing with the Swiss Commercial Register, tax authorities, and financial institutions.
Our team of accountants assists in preparing, reviewing, and filing all required documents, ensuring your company meets both legal and operational expectations.
Companies must ensure accuracy, clarity, and completeness in financial reporting to maintain good standing with the Swiss Commercial Register, tax authorities, and financial institutions.
Our team of accountants assists in preparing, reviewing, and filing all required documents, ensuring your company meets both legal and operational expectations.
Accounting services in various cities across the country
We provide professional accounting services to businesses located in all major Swiss cities. Each regional office adapts to local legal specifics, cantonal tax rules, and industry demands.
Our presence includes:
In each location, our certified accountants ensure that your business stays compliant and takes advantage of local incentives and tax benefits.
We work in German, French, English, and Italian, depending on the client’s region and preference. Whether you are just launching or scaling operations, we help streamline your financial management.
We work in German, French, English, and Italian, depending on the client’s region and preference. Whether you are just launching or scaling operations, we help streamline your financial management.
Why externalize the accounting department?
Outsourcing your accounting department to a professional firm in Switzerland brings multiple benefits in terms of cost, expertise, and compliance. For both startups and established businesses, it enables more efficient resource allocation.
Key benefits of outsourcing:
Externalizing is particularly valuable for foreign-owned companies that lack local infrastructure or familiarity with Swiss procedures.
Our accounting firm offers modular service packages, enabling clients to outsource fully or partially, from bookkeeping and payroll to tax advisory and audit prep.
Our accounting firm offers modular service packages, enabling clients to outsource fully or partially, from bookkeeping and payroll to tax advisory and audit prep.
The Swiss taxation system
Switzerland applies a federal, cantonal, and municipal tax system, making it one of the most diversified in Europe. Our accounting firm helps clients understand and manage this structure for optimal tax performance.
Key features of the Swiss tax system:
Tax obligations depend on the company’s legal form, location, and turnover. Some cantons (e.g., Zug, Lucerne) offer preferential tax regimes to attract international businesses.
Switzerland’s vast network of double taxation treaties (100+ jurisdictions) allows for significant reductions in cross-border tax exposure.
Our certified tax advisors assist with:
We ensure your company remains fully compliant while benefiting from every legitimate tax advantage.
Switzerland’s vast network of double taxation treaties (100+ jurisdictions) allows for significant reductions in cross-border tax exposure.
Our certified tax advisors assist with:
- Cantonal tax planning and rulings;
- Structuring intercompany payments under treaty protection;
- Group tax filings and international compliance;
- Regular updates on changing tax rates and reforms.
We ensure your company remains fully compliant while benefiting from every legitimate tax advantage.
FAQ
Any company operating in Switzerland — from startups to large enterprises — needs accounting to stay compliant with local tax and financial laws.
Services include bookkeeping, tax filings, payroll, VAT, audit preparation, and compliance with Swiss GAAP or IFRS.
Yes, if annual turnover exceeds CHF 100,000, the company must register for VAT and submit regular declarations.
Effective rates range between 12% and 25%, depending on the canton and municipality.
Only companies meeting specific thresholds (assets, revenue, staff) are subject to mandatory audits; others may opt out or request voluntary audits.
Yes. Many firms choose to externalize payroll, employment contracts, and social security reporting for efficiency and accuracy.
Swiss Code of Obligations is mandatory. Larger or listed firms often adopt Swiss GAAP FER or IFRS.
Companies must retain financial records and documents for 10 years.
Yes. We serve clients in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Zug, Lucerne, Bern, and more.
Outsourcing ensures cost-efficiency, expert support, full compliance, and allows business owners to focus on core operations.
Legal disclaimer. This article does not constitute legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. The article should be used for informational purposes only.