Short introduction

Swiss bookkeeping and financial reporting are governed by the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) and scale with company size—from simplified cash basis accounting for micro entities to full double-entry bookkeeping, statutory annual financial statements and, where required, a consolidated financial statement. This page provides a practical overview and links to in-depth subpages.

Foundations & scope

The CO requires businesses to keep books and prepare annual financial statements. Depth and scope depend on legal form, revenue/balance sheet total, and headcount. For thresholds, components of the annual accounts, audit types, and disclosure, see the Swiss Accounting Guide.

Bookkeeping obligations by company size

Micro entities / cash basis

Very small businesses may use simplified cash basis accounting instead of double-entry bookkeeping. It records income, expenses, and net assets in a streamlined format. Eligibility and practical setup are covered in the Swiss Cash Basis Accounting Guide.

Full double-entry bookkeeping (LLC/AG/GmbH/SMEs)

Once thresholds are exceeded—or for most capital companies—double-entry bookkeeping is mandatory. This includes day-to-day postings, accruals/deferrals, accounts receivable/payable, fixed assets, and a structured monthly or quarterly close. The annual statements (balance sheet, income statement, notes—plus cash flow statement where applicable), deadlines, and audit requirements are outlined in the Swiss Accounting Guide.

Group accounting

Under certain conditions, a consolidated financial statement is required. Key topics include defining the consolidation perimeter, eliminations, unrealized profit adjustments, currency translation, and reporting. Frameworks such as Swiss GAAP FER or international standards may apply. See the Swiss Group Accounting Guide for a compact overview.

Ongoing bookkeeping & month-end

Robust books start with document control: timely capture, a clear chart of accounts (e.g., SME chart), approval workflows, and reconciliations (bank, AR, AP, VAT, payroll). Periodic closes keep figures reliable: provisions/accruals, depreciation, inventory valuation, and intercompany reconciliations. How to turn this into an efficient year-end workflow through approved accounts is described in the Swiss Accounting Guide.

Value Added Tax (VAT)

VAT obligations depend on revenue and activity. Core topics: effective method vs. net tax rate method, filing periods, correct tax codes in the ledger, export/reverse-charge treatment, and expenses. A proper VAT reconciliation each period helps avoid year-end surprises. (Practical notes are embedded in the guides linked above.)

Year-end closing & deadlines

Statutory accounts include the balance sheet, income statement, and notes; depending on size, also a cash flow statement and a management report. Observe deadlines, approvals by governing bodies, and—where applicable—audit requirements. Publication duties may apply depending on legal form. Detailed checklists are in the Swiss Accounting Guide; for group matters see the Swiss Group Accounting Guide.

Tools & internal controls

Whether you use cloud accounting or existing systems, the essentials are clear processes (segregation of duties, roles & permissions), document workflows (e.g., digital AP approvals), integrations (bank feeds, payroll, e-commerce), and standardized reporting for management and authorities. These building blocks streamline monthly and annual closes and strengthen audit and tax compliance.

Next steps

Not sure if cash basis fits, want to establish a monthly close, or need to prepare group reporting? We can help with setup, process design, and closing.  → Contact us