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Accounting records archiving for electricians in Thun: rules, deadlines, best practice

Accounting records archiving for electricians in Thun 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

Access for the fiduciary, the auditor and employees is set by roles: view, enter, approve, close. Well-set rights protect the data and speed up collaboration.

An SME in Thun 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.

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.

The winning trio remains: QR-bills for collections, e-banking connected to the accounts for statement imports (camt.053), and automatic matching rules. Exceptions — partial payments, duplicates, missing references — are then handled in minutes, not hours.

A well-structured SME chart of accounts

A chart of accounts gets documented: one description line per account (what, when, VAT) is enough for two people to post the same way. It is the quality manual of accounting records archiving, valid in Thun as anywhere.

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

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Outsource accounting records archiving or keep it in-house?

The Swiss fiduciary market is dense and governed by professional practice: industry standards, business secrecy, civil liability. Compare offers on three concrete criteria — exact scope (data entry? closing? payroll? VAT?), a named contact person, and the tools used. It prevents year-end misunderstandings.

For accounting records archiving, the internal-external duo works when both sides see the same file: same entries, same documents, same deadlines. Misunderstandings are born from parallel copies.

Thun: what changes, what does not

Thun (postal code 3600, canton Bern) applies the same federal rules as the rest of the country: what changes in Thun are the cantonal counterparts — tax administration, compensation office, commercial register.

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

Frequently asked questions

When must a business register for VAT?

As soon as its worldwide annual turnover reaches CHF 100,000 (CHF 250,000 for non-profit sports or cultural associations). Below that, voluntary registration remains possible and often makes sense to reclaim input VAT on investments. The threshold is federal: it applies in Thun as everywhere in Switzerland.

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 Thun can therefore archive fully digitally.

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 Thun, family allowances follow the canton's rates.

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 Thun.

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Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

MyFiducia.ai automates accounting records archiving for businesses in Thun: 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 for electricians in Thun