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Everything that matters about accounts receivable for the self-employed in Courgevaux

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

The Swiss legal frame for accounts receivable

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

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

A Swiss SME's accounting calendar

An accounting calendar only lives if it is shared: owner, in-house bookkeeper and fiduciary must see the same deadlines and the same status — the rule holds for every SME in Courgevaux.

The useful reflex: date every obligation the moment it arises. An employee hired means AHV/LPP deadlines created; VAT registration means a filing cycle set; a closing date fixed means backward planning of the close. Well organised, the accounts receivable calendar fills itself.

Digitalising accounts receivable: what actually works

Digitising does not mean hoarding PDFs: without the document-entry link, a digital file is as opaque as a box of archives — true in Courgevaux as everywhere.

For an SME in Courgevaux, the real gain of digitalised accounts receivable shows day to day: no paper pile at month-end, VAT prepared continuously, and an owner reading today's figures rather than last quarter's.

Pen pointing at a bar chart on paper

Outsource accounts receivable or keep it in-house?

Responsibility stays with the client: the fiduciary executes with care, but the signed accounts bind the company. Understanding what you sign is not optional.

A business in Courgevaux is no longer limited to fiduciaries in its canton: with a shared online platform, collaboration works remotely, documents and entries visible to both sides in real time. The choice widens to all of Switzerland — competence becomes the criterion again, not the postcode.

Courgevaux: what changes, what does not

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

For a business in Courgevaux, that means VAT returns identical to anywhere in Switzerland, but a tax return and family allowances governed by the canton Fribourg.

Frequently asked questions

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 Courgevaux as anywhere.

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 Courgevaux as everywhere in Switzerland.

How long must records related to accounts receivable 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 Courgevaux can therefore archive fully digitally.

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 Courgevaux.

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Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

MyFiducia.ai automates accounts receivable for businesses in Courgevaux: 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.

    Accounts receivable for the self-employed in Courgevaux