Handshake during a business meeting, top view

Accounting records archiving digitalisation in Lancy: rules, deadlines, best practice

Accounting records archiving digitalisation in Lancy rests on three pillars: federal law that applies across Switzerland, cantonal deadlines worth knowing, and tools that eliminate re-keying. This guide puts it all in order, fact by fact.

Digitalising accounting records archiving: what actually works

Artificial intelligence has changed the economics of accounting records archiving: automatic invoice reading reaches recognition rates that make manual entry marginal, and posting suggestions learn from corrections. The accountant does not disappear — the job shifts from data entry to control and advice.

The winning pair for accounting records archiving: a single inbox (e-mail, scan, photo) and one simple rule — no document sits more than a few days without a proposed entry.

The Swiss legal frame for accounting records archiving

AHV audits and VAT audits follow the same logic: start from the documents, trace to the entries, check consistency. A business in Lancy with a clean audit trail sails through these exercises.

Art. 957a CO requires complete, truthful and systematic recording of transactions, each entry backed by a supporting document. For accounting records archiving, that means in practice: no movement without a receipt, and an audit trail that can be reconstructed at any time — including during a VAT or AHV inspection.

A well-structured SME chart of accounts

A good chart of accounts tells the story of the business: classes 1 and 2 describe what it owns and owes, class 3 what it sells, classes 4 to 6 what it consumes. Private accounts (sole proprietorships) and shareholder current accounts (Sàrl/SA) must stay spotless: they are the first thing examined in a tax audit.

Standard numbering also enables automation: stable posting rules (same supplier, same account) make data entry predictable and the audit faster. Avoid changing the chart of accounts mid-year — migrate at the closing date, with a documented mapping table.

Professional in a suit reviewing documents

QR-bills and friction-free collections

Technically, two routes coexist: the classic IBAN with an optional reference, or the QR-IBAN which requires a structured 27-position QR reference. Only the second route makes matching truly automatic — every payment carries the exact identifier of its invoice.

For an SME in Lancy, receivables are an asset to manage: a weekly ageing balance, graduated reminders and a provision for doubtful cases — accounting records archiving provides the numbers, discipline does the rest.

Lancy: what changes, what does not

Sole proprietorship, Sàrl or SA in Lancy: the AHV contact remains the competent compensation office, and taxes follow the scales of the canton Geneva.

For a business in Lancy, that means VAT returns identical to anywhere in Switzerland, but a tax return and family allowances governed by the canton Geneva.

Frequently asked questions

How much does accounting records archiving cost in Lancy?

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.

What are the current Swiss VAT rates?

Since 1 January 2024: 8.1% (standard), 2.6% (reduced — for example food and medicines) and 3.8% (accommodation). Returns must be filed and paid within 60 days after the period ends (quarterly under the effective method, semi-annually under the net tax rate method). These federal rates apply unchanged in Lancy.

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 Lancy can therefore archive fully digitally.

When is entry in the commercial register mandatory?

A Sàrl and an SA only come into existence with their registration. A sole proprietorship must register from CHF 100,000 of annual revenue; below that, registration stays voluntary but adds credibility and protects the business name. Registration goes through the canton's commercial register office — for Lancy too.

Also worth reading

In neighbouring municipalities

Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

MyFiducia.ai automates accounting records archiving for businesses in Lancy: 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.