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Limited statutory audit for law firms in Falera: the practical guide

Limited statutory audit for law firms in Falera 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.

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.

The timetable is tight: accounts drawn up and approved by the general meeting within six months of the year-end. For limited statutory audit, chasing missing documents from January (bank statements, contracts, insurance settlements) avoids the last-minute sprint and auditor reservations.

Outsource limited statutory audit 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 Falera as elsewhere.

A business in Falera can combine the models: internal day-to-day entry, monthly external supervision, closing and taxes with the specialist — limited statutory audit splits very well.

The Swiss legal frame for limited statutory audit

Whether a business sits in Falera or elsewhere in Switzerland, the same federal law applies — one of the strengths of the Swiss system for limited statutory audit. Cantonal differences concentrate on taxation (rates, filing deadlines); bookkeeping itself follows art. 957 ff. CO everywhere.

The law also settles the form: accounts may be kept in a national language or in English, on paper or electronically (art. 957a para. 5 CO). That pragmatism lets limited statutory audit run entirely on digital tools — no paper binder is required.

Handshake during a business meeting, top view

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.

For limited statutory audit, year-end is prepared in October: last invoices, investment decisions, provisions to assess — December is too late to act, January is for recording.

Falera: what changes, what does not

Falera (postal code 7153, canton Grisons) applies the same federal rules as the rest of the country: what changes in Falera are the cantonal counterparts — tax administration, compensation office, commercial register.

Falera requires no special bookkeeping: the Code of Obligations applies at postal code 7153 as everywhere else, and a well-kept digital file transfers smoothly to any auditor in the canton.

Frequently asked questions

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 Falera.

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 Falera too.

How long must records related to limited statutory audit 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 Falera can therefore archive fully digitally.

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 Falera as anywhere.

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Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

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    Limited statutory audit for law firms in Falera