Limited statutory audit for startups in Mex (VD): the practical guide
Delegate, digitalise or do it all yourself? Around limited statutory audit in Mex (VD), every SME draws its own line. The reference points below — federal law, cantonal practice and lessons from the field — help you place the cursor well.
Year-end closing: how the mechanics work
The order of operations matters: reconciliations first (bank, cash, receivables, payables), then the closing entries, finally the VAT and AHV consistency checks. Reversing the order means starting over.
For an SME in Mex (VD), the closing is also decision time: distributions, provisions, investments to anticipate. A file ready in February leaves time to decide; one ready in June just endures.
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 Mex (VD) as elsewhere.
In Mex (VD), 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.
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.
A Swiss SME's accounting calendar
Tax instalments are steered: too low, they set up a salty final bill; too high, they tie up cash. Adjusting them on current figures is a profitable reflex, in Mex (VD) as anywhere.
Delays rarely come alone: neglected bookkeeping postpones the closing, hence the tax return, hence the recalculated instalments — and the business flies blind for months. Keeping the books current as you go is the only sustainable way to hold every cascading deadline.
Mex (VD): what changes, what does not
Sole proprietorship, Sàrl or SA in Mex (VD): the AHV contact remains the competent compensation office, and taxes follow the scales of the canton Vaud.
For a business in Mex (VD), that means VAT returns identical to anywhere in Switzerland, but a tax return and family allowances governed by the canton Vaud.
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 Mex (VD).
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 Mex (VD) 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 Mex (VD): federal law applies.
Effective VAT method or net tax rate: how to choose?
The effective method deducts actual input VAT and files quarterly; the net tax rate method applies a flat industry rate to turnover, semi-annually, with no separate input VAT deduction. The flat rate suits low-cost structures; as investments grow, the effective method usually wins again. The choice rests on the company's own figures, in Mex (VD) as anywhere.
Also worth reading
In neighbouring municipalities
Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date
MyFiducia.ai automates limited statutory audit for businesses in Mex (VD): 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.