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Accounting software guide in Biglen: the practical guide

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

Digitalising accounting software: what actually works

Automation is judged on the exceptions: what happens when the document is unreadable, the supplier unknown, the amount divergent? A good tool isolates those cases and lets a human decide fast — precious for teams in Biglen.

For accounting software, migrating history must not block the start: begin on day one of the current financial year and import the history later if needed.

Outsource accounting software or keep it in-house?

A good test before choosing: ask the fiduciary HOW it wants to receive the documents. A precise answer (formats, frequency, platform) says more than any brochure — including in Biglen.

A business in Biglen can combine the models: internal day-to-day entry, monthly external supervision, closing and taxes with the specialist — accounting software splits very well.

QR-bills and friction-free collections

Instalments and partial payments are handled cleanly with distinct references per tranche: each collection finds its share, and the remaining balance stays correct at all times.

A business in Biglen can collect by QR-bill even without sophisticated software: what matters is that every incoming payment finds its invoice, manually or automatically.

Smiling advisor with a headset at their workstation

The Swiss legal frame for accounting software

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

Art. 957a CO requires complete, truthful and systematic recording of transactions, each entry backed by a supporting document. For accounting software, that means in practice: no movement without a receipt, and an audit trail that can be reconstructed at any time — including during a VAT or AHV inspection.

Biglen: what changes, what does not

Biglen (postal code 3507, canton Bern) applies the same federal rules as the rest of the country: what changes in Biglen are the cantonal counterparts — tax administration, compensation office, commercial register.

Federal deadlines do not move in Biglen: VAT within 60 days, salary declaration in January, 10-year record retention — postal code 3507 changes nothing about those rules, only the sender's address.

Frequently asked questions

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 Biglen, family allowances follow the canton's rates.

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 Biglen as anywhere.

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 Biglen as anywhere.

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 Biglen.

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Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

MyFiducia.ai automates accounting software for businesses in Biglen: 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.