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SME chart of accounts for medical practices in Bernex: what every SME should know

Whether you run a Sàrl, an SA or a sole proprietorship in Bernex, SME chart of accounts eventually lands on your desk. Here are the practical reference points — legal basis, deadlines and common pitfalls — to decide with a clear head.

The Swiss legal frame for SME chart of accounts

Three documents summarise the health of a Swiss business: the balance sheet (what it owns), the income statement (what it earns) and the notes (what else you should know). All the work of SME chart of accounts converges on those three pages, in Bernex too.

For SME chart of accounts, the classic early mistake remains mixing private and business: a dedicated bank account and documented private withdrawals eliminate half the discussions with the tax office.

A Swiss SME's accounting calendar

Three families of deadlines shape the year: federal (VAT within 60 days, salary declaration in January), cantonal (tax return, extensions depending on the canton, including in Bernex) and internal (closing, general meeting within six months). Mixing them up is the leading cause of delays.

For SME chart of accounts, two dates lock themselves in every year: the January salary declaration and the general meeting within six months — everything else is planned around them.

Digitalising SME chart of accounts: what actually works

The classic digitalisation traps are avoidable: scanning without quality control (unreadable records), stacking disconnected tools (double entry in disguise), or neglecting access rights. One single flow from document to entry, with clear roles, beats five shiny apps.

Migrate in stages: supplier invoices first (high volume, immediate gain), then receivables with the QR-bill, finally payroll and the closing. At each stage, comparing one month before/after is enough to prove the gain — no theoretical promises needed.

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Outsource SME chart of accounts or keep it in-house?

Splitting roles clearly avoids duplication: the company captures documents and approves payments; the fiduciary checks postings, closes the year and defends the file before the authorities. Each side does what it does best — and nobody keys the same invoice twice.

In Bernex, as everywhere, the right collaboration rhythm follows the activity: monthly for payroll and data entry, quarterly for VAT, yearly for the closing and tax advice.

Bernex: what changes, what does not

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

Bernex requires no special bookkeeping: the Code of Obligations applies at postal code 1233 as everywhere else, and a well-kept digital file transfers smoothly to any auditor in the canton.

Frequently asked questions

How much does SME chart of accounts cost in Bernex?

It depends on document volume, the number of salaries and VAT complexity — no serious figure can be quoted without examining the file. Two levers cut the bill everywhere: digitised, well-filed receipts and software that prepares entries instead of having them re-keyed.

Do you need a fiduciary for SME chart of accounts, or can you do it yourself?

Both are defensible. Below CHF 500,000 of revenue, a sole proprietorship may keep simplified accounts itself. As soon as payroll, VAT and a closing with tax stakes are involved, professional support prevents mistakes that cost more than the fees. With a shared platform, the fiduciary does not even need to be in Bernex.

Which social contributions does a Swiss employer pay?

AHV/IV/APG: 5.3% employer share (the same is withheld from the employee); unemployment insurance: 1.1% each up to CHF 148,200 a year; occupational pension (LPP) by age and plan (employer at least 50%); occupational accident insurance paid by the employer; family allowances by canton. For an employer in Bernex, family allowances follow the canton's rates.

What are the legal obligations for SME chart of accounts 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 Bernex: federal law applies.

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Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

MyFiducia.ai automates SME chart of accounts for businesses in Bernex: 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.

    SME chart of accounts for medical practices in Bernex