Smiling team looking at a laptop

Accounting records archiving for construction companies in Val Terbi: the practical guide

Between VAT, social contributions and the year-end close, a Swiss SME juggles dozens of deadlines a year. This page focuses on accounting records archiving in Val Terbi: what the law requires, what can be automated, and when to delegate.

Digitalising accounting records archiving: what actually works

Security is part of digitalisation: named access, tested backups, encryption of sensitive data. A digital accounting file is protected like a safe — because it is one.

Electronic archiving is fully recognised: Swiss bookkeeping regulation admits electronic retention of records provided integrity and readability are guaranteed for the 10 years of art. 958f CO. A paper binder is no longer an obligation — provided the archiving system is serious.

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 Val Terbi with a clean audit trail sails through these exercises.

The good news: the Swiss frame is stable and predictable. Structure accounting records archiving once — chart of accounts, document flow, calendar — and the same organisation pays off for years.

A well-structured SME chart of accounts

Account labels deserve as much care as numbers: “Third-party fees” says nothing, “Fiduciary fees” and “IT fees” say everything. Meaningful labels cut posting errors and make dashboards readable without a glossary.

In an SME in Val Terbi, the chart of accounts is also a delegation tool: clear posting rules let a non-accountant prepare most entries without error.

Smiling advisor with a headset at their workstation

Outsource accounting records archiving or keep it in-house?

The scope goes down in writing: who enters data, who approves payments, who answers the tax office, who keeps the originals. Every “we'll see” at the start becomes a December misunderstanding — in Val Terbi as elsewhere.

In Val Terbi, 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.

Val Terbi: what changes, what does not

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

Federal deadlines do not move in Val Terbi: VAT within 60 days, salary declaration in January, 10-year record retention — postal code 2824 changes nothing about those rules, only the sender's address.

Frequently asked questions

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 Val Terbi.

What is the difference between a limited and an ordinary audit?

The ordinary audit applies to companies exceeding, for two consecutive years, two of three thresholds: CHF 20 million balance sheet total, CHF 40 million revenue, 250 full-time positions. Others fall under the limited audit, and those with no more than ten full-time positions on annual average can opt out with all shareholders' consent. These federal thresholds do not depend on the registered seat — in Val Terbi as anywhere.

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 Val Terbi too.

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 Val Terbi: federal law applies.

Also worth reading

In neighbouring municipalities

Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

MyFiducia.ai automates accounting records archiving for businesses in Val Terbi: 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 in Val Terbi