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Accounting records archiving how to choose in Bonvillars: rules, deadlines, best practice

Accounting records archiving how to choose in Bonvillars raises the same questions for most Swiss SME owners: which obligations apply, which deadlines are running, which documents to prepare. This page covers the federal rules in force — without unnecessary jargon.

Digitalising accounting records archiving: what actually works

A serious accounting document archive links every record to its entry, timestamps versions and logs access — exactly what Swiss bookkeeping regulation expects from probative electronic retention. Chronological filing by financial year becomes an automatic by-product.

An SME in Bonvillars that digitalises gains owner time first: less filing, fewer “where is that receipt?” questions, more attention to the trade — that is the real return of accounting records archiving.

The Swiss legal frame for accounting records archiving

Whether a business sits in Bonvillars or elsewhere in Switzerland, the same federal law applies — one of the strengths of the Swiss system for accounting records archiving. Cantonal differences concentrate on taxation (rates, filing deadlines); bookkeeping itself follows art. 957 ff. CO everywhere.

Also worth knowing: accounts may be drawn up in the currency most relevant to the business; if that is not the franc, values must additionally be stated in CHF (art. 958d para. 3 CO). Internationally active companies gain books that match their economic reality.

A well-structured SME chart of accounts

Concretely, accounting records archiving benefits from three tiers: balance-sheet accounts (classes 1-2) kept spotless for the closing, income accounts (classes 3-6) shaped for steering, and closing accounts (class 9) reserved for year-end entries. Each tier has its rhythm and its owner.

For accounting records archiving, a few well-chosen analytical accounts (by activity, by site) beat a forest of sub-accounts nobody ever reads.

Advisor handing a document and pen to a client

Outsource accounting records archiving or keep it in-house?

Responsibility stays with the client: the fiduciary executes with care, but the signed accounts bind the company. Understanding what you sign is not optional.

A business in Bonvillars can combine the models: internal day-to-day entry, monthly external supervision, closing and taxes with the specialist — accounting records archiving splits very well.

Bonvillars: what changes, what does not

Working with a fiduciary from Bonvillars no longer depends on geography: the documents of a business in Bonvillars are shared online, while the canton Vaud keeps its own deadlines for the tax return.

Federal deadlines do not move in Bonvillars: VAT within 60 days, salary declaration in January, 10-year record retention — postal code 1427 changes nothing about those rules, only the sender's address.

Frequently asked questions

What are the legal obligations for accounting records archiving in Switzerland?

The foundation is the Code of Obligations: proper bookkeeping (art. 957a CO), annual accounts (balance sheet, income statement, notes) and 10-year retention of books and records (art. 958f CO). VAT applies from CHF 100,000 of turnover, and social insurance settlements from the first employee. Nothing is different in Bonvillars: federal law applies.

Which documents should be prepared for the year-end closing?

Bank and cash statements at the closing date, the inventory of stock and work in progress, final AHV/LPP/accident settlements, contracts signed or amended during the year, invoices straddling two years and the detail of accruals. With an up-to-date document archive, most of it is already there. The list is identical in Bonvillars: the CO dictates it, not the commune.

What is simplified bookkeeping and who can use it?

Sole proprietorships and partnerships under CHF 500,000 of revenue may limit themselves to recording income, expenses and assets (art. 957 para. 2 CO). Once over the threshold — or upon founding a Sàrl or an SA — full accounts with balance sheet, income statement and notes become mandatory. The CHF 500,000 threshold is assessed the same way in Bonvillars.

How long must records related to accounting records archiving be kept?

Ten years from the end of the financial year concerned (art. 958f CO). Electronic retention is permitted if the integrity and readability of the records are guaranteed — a serious digital archive validly replaces paper binders. A business in Bonvillars can therefore archive fully digitally.

Also worth reading

In neighbouring municipalities

Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

MyFiducia.ai automates accounting records archiving for businesses in Bonvillars: AI-read documents, posting suggestions, VAT and exports ready for your fiduciary. Try the platform or browse our other guides.

The application is operated in French.

    Accounting records archiving how to choose in Bonvillars