Advisor handing a document and pen to a client

Real estate accounting for architecture firms in Sommeri: what every SME should know

Between VAT, social contributions and the year-end close, a Swiss SME juggles dozens of deadlines a year. This page focuses on real estate accounting in Sommeri: what the law requires, what can be automated, and when to delegate.

The Swiss legal frame for real estate accounting

For an owner in Sommeri, the question is never “do we need accounts?” but “at what level of detail?”. The CO sets the floor; the bank, the tax office and the shareholders set the rest.

The good news: the Swiss frame is stable and predictable. Structure real estate accounting once — chart of accounts, document flow, calendar — and the same organisation pays off for years.

Outsource real estate accounting or keep it in-house?

Splitting roles clearly avoids duplication: the company captures documents and approves payments; the fiduciary checks postings, closes the year and defends the file before the authorities. Each side does what it does best — and nobody keys the same invoice twice.

For real estate accounting, a quarterly 30-minute check-in with the fiduciary beats an annual marathon: questions get handled while they are small.

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.

Handing deadline monitoring to a tool is no luxury: automatic reminders, a status per obligation, and an “all green” view that clears the mind. What matters is not who ticks the box — but that the box exists and everyone can see it.

Pen pointing at a bar chart on paper

A well-structured SME chart of accounts

Shareholder current accounts demand strict hygiene: every private withdrawal documented, interest at the rates accepted by the tax administration, and a clean-up at closing.

For real estate accounting, a few well-chosen analytical accounts (by activity, by site) beat a forest of sub-accounts nobody ever reads.

Sommeri: what changes, what does not

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

Federal deadlines do not move in Sommeri: VAT within 60 days, salary declaration in January, 10-year record retention — postal code 8580 changes nothing about those rules, only the sender's address.

Frequently asked questions

What is simplified bookkeeping and who can use it?

Sole proprietorships and partnerships under CHF 500,000 of revenue may limit themselves to recording income, expenses and assets (art. 957 para. 2 CO). Once over the threshold — or upon founding a Sàrl or an SA — full accounts with balance sheet, income statement and notes become mandatory. The CHF 500,000 threshold is assessed the same way in Sommeri.

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 Sommeri too.

What are the legal obligations for real estate accounting 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 Sommeri: federal law applies.

Which documents should be prepared for the year-end closing?

Bank and cash statements at the closing date, the inventory of stock and work in progress, final AHV/LPP/accident settlements, contracts signed or amended during the year, invoices straddling two years and the detail of accruals. With an up-to-date document archive, most of it is already there. The list is identical in Sommeri: the CO dictates it, not the commune.

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Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

MyFiducia.ai automates real estate accounting for businesses in Sommeri: 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.

    Real estate accounting for architecture firms in Sommeri