Team analysing financial charts around a table

Limited statutory audit comparison in Martigny: what every SME should know

Limited statutory audit comparison in Martigny 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.

Year-end closing: how the mechanics work

The CO's accounting principles frame the closing: regularity, prudence and consistency of presentation (art. 958c CO), on the going-concern assumption (art. 958a CO). In practice, that means valuation methods kept constant from one year to the next — and documented whenever they change.

For limited statutory audit, a closing checklist reused every year transforms the exercise: same steps, same checks, same documents — only the year changes.

The Swiss legal frame for limited statutory audit

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

For limited statutory audit, 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 well-structured SME chart of accounts

Nearly all Swiss SMEs rely on the standard SME chart of accounts (Sterchi/Käfer): classes 1 (assets) to 9 (closing), with revenue in class 3 and expenses in classes 4 to 6. Using this standard structure makes conversations with your fiduciary, auditor and tax administration far easier.

For limited statutory audit, 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

A Swiss SME's accounting calendar

The professionals' trick: handle every deadline at D-30, not D-1. A VAT return prepared a month early leaves time to chase a missing document without penalty.

An SME in Martigny that holds its calendar twelve months straight changes its position: fewer official reminders, easier extensions — and limited statutory audit stops being a source of worry.

Martigny: what changes, what does not

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

Martigny requires no special bookkeeping: the Code of Obligations applies at postal code 1906 as everywhere else, and a well-kept digital file transfers smoothly to any auditor in the canton.

Frequently asked questions

How much does limited statutory audit cost in Martigny?

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 legal obligations for limited statutory audit 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 Martigny: federal law applies.

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 Martigny as everywhere in Switzerland.

Do you need a fiduciary for limited statutory audit, 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 Martigny.

Also worth reading

In neighbouring municipalities

Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

MyFiducia.ai automates limited statutory audit for businesses in Martigny: 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.

    Limited statutory audit comparison in Martigny — Swiss guide