Swiss Accountant

A Swiss accountant must respect the accounting standards set by the Swiss Foundation for Accounting and Reporting. Since all companies registered in the Commercial Register in Switzerland are under the authority of the Swiss Code of Obligations, an accountant in Switzerland must keep records of a balance sheet, a profit and loss statement and an inventory in Swiss Francs. A compulsory audit is required from an accountant in Switzerland if the company he works for has a turnover that exceeds 20 million CHF or a balance sheet of more than 50 million CHF or more than 50 employees. A Swiss accountant must also take into consideration the International Public Sector Accounting Standards.

Admission

An accountant in Switzerland must hold a Swiss Certificate for Specialists for Finance and Accounting as a guarantee of the high education and the qualified skills. This diploma is considered the most complete for a Swiss accountant. An accountant in Switzerland may also choose to continue specialising in order to obtain a Swiss Certified Experts Diploma for Accounting and Controlling. This certificate can only be gained by passing Swiss diploma examinations in accounting, controlling, taxes and auditing. An accountant in Switzerland has plenty of abilities in planning and control, financial accounting, enterprise accounting, reporting and provision of information, taxes, personnel administration, organisation, international accounting, communication and leadership. Besides, the accountants in Switzerland obtain a Swiss Certificate for Specialists in Finance and Accountings only if they practice for a certain period of time.

Activities

Swiss accountants must be able to produce annual financial statements, balance sheet, a cash flow statement and a management report. Accountants in Switzerland who work in smaller companies are only responsible for keeping proper records, recording receipts and items of expenditure and also keeping updated records of the employees.  In order to avoid penalties, Swiss accountants are also responsible to provide accurate documents and records to tax authorities on demand.

BridgeWest offers company registration in Switzerland, including virtual office and other related services.