Pen pointing at a bar chart on paper

Everything that matters about limited statutory audit for architecture firms in Buchillon

Swiss accounting law (art. 957 ff. of the Code of Obligations) sets a precise frame, yet day-to-day practice often stays fuzzy. This guide walks through what actually matters for a business based in Buchillon.

Year-end closing: how the mechanics work

The closing is prepared all year long: a monthly bank reconciliation and accruals tracked as you go turn the year-end into a formality, for businesses in Buchillon too.

A company in Buchillon that presents clean, punctual annual accounts gains credibility — with its bank, its suppliers and the tax administration.

The Swiss legal frame for limited statutory audit

In Switzerland, the duty to keep accounts stems from art. 957 ff. of the Code of Obligations. Legal entities (Sàrl, SA) and sole proprietorships with at least CHF 500,000 in revenue keep full accounts: balance sheet, income statement and notes. Below that threshold, a simplified record of income, expenses and assets is sufficient.

One simple principle drives limited statutory audit: every franc in or out must be explainable by a document, an entry and an account. All of Swiss accounting law fits inside that traceability requirement.

A Swiss SME's accounting calendar

Every deadline has an owner: an obligation “of everyone” is kept by no one. Naming one person per deadline family (VAT, payroll, taxes) closes the gaps.

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

Advisor handing a document and pen to a client

Outsource limited statutory audit or keep it in-house?

Outsourcing limited statutory audit to a fiduciary frees up time and secures compliance; keeping it in-house preserves a continuous view and costs less in fees. The best answer is often hybrid: the company captures and digitises as it goes, the fiduciary supervises, closes the books and represents the company before the authorities.

In Buchillon, 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.

Buchillon: what changes, what does not

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

Buchillon requires no special bookkeeping: the Code of Obligations applies at postal code 1164 as everywhere else, and a well-kept digital file transfers smoothly to any auditor in the canton.

Frequently asked questions

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 Buchillon too.

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 Buchillon: federal law applies.

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 Buchillon, family allowances follow the canton's rates.

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 Buchillon as anywhere.

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Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

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    Limited statutory audit for architecture firms in Buchillon