Accounting and bookkeeping in Switzerland

Swiss companies keep full accounts. The SME portal states that legal entities such as an SA or a Sàrl keep books under the Code of Obligations, Art. 957 and following, and records are kept for at least ten years. A founder from abroad usually hands the monthly bookkeeping and the year-end statements to a fiduciary, which is the Swiss term for a firm combining accounting, tax and administration.

The first thing to compare is language. Switzerland works in German, French and Italian depending on the canton, and your accountant should be able to keep the books in the language of the local authorities while reporting to you in English. Ask which entity types the firm serves (AG, GmbH, SA, Sàrl, sole proprietorships), which software it uses and whether it belongs to a professional association.

307 firms list accounting here: 251 accounting firms and 56 corporate services providers. Of the 307, 209 work in English, 182 in German, 151 in French and 64 in Italian. Real estate is named by 42 firms. Zurich and Geneva have the largest city pages. The Switzerland guide sets out the wider setup.

Firms offering accounting in Switzerland

Gescofid SA

Accounting firm · Medium-sized firm

Chiasso

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +5 more

Languages: Italian · English · German

View profile of Gescofid SA

Kaurum

Accounting firm · Medium-sized firm

Geneva

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +6 more

Languages: English · French

View profile of Kaurum

KENDRIS

Corporate services provider · Medium-sized firm

Zug

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +5 more

Languages: English · German

View profile of KENDRIS

Altiqa

Corporate services provider · Boutique firm

Lugano

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +6 more

Languages: English · Italian · French

View profile of Altiqa

283 more firms offering accounting in Switzerland

Frequently asked questions

Does a Swiss GmbH need full double-entry accounts?

Yes. Legal entities keep accounts under the Code of Obligations. Sole proprietorships and partnerships follow a simpler regime below a turnover set by law, so the form you choose matters.

Which language will my Swiss accountant use?

Usually the language of the canton for official filings, and English with you if the profile lists it. Check this before you sign, because it affects every report and every letter.

Other services in Switzerland

Accountants by city in Switzerland

Setting up a company in Switzerland: the guide and every firm

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules, rates and fees change: check them with the official sources linked on this page or with a qualified adviser before you act.