Team analysing financial charts around a table

Accounting software for SA companies in Lumino without the stress: how it works

Accounting software for SA companies in Lumino rests on three pillars: federal law that applies across Switzerland, cantonal deadlines worth knowing, and tools that eliminate re-keying. This guide puts it all in order, fact by fact.

Digitalising accounting software: what actually works

The classic digitalisation traps are avoidable: scanning without quality control (unreadable records), stacking disconnected tools (double entry in disguise), or neglecting access rights. One single flow from document to entry, with clear roles, beats five shiny apps.

The winning pair for accounting software: a single inbox (e-mail, scan, photo) and one simple rule — no document sits more than a few days without a proposed entry.

The Swiss legal frame for accounting software

Swiss accounting law has been unified in the Code of Obligations since 2013: the same bookkeeping rules (art. 957a CO) and retention rules (art. 958f CO — 10 years for books, vouchers and reports) apply regardless of legal form. Accounting software sits squarely within this frame, including for companies based in Lumino.

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.

Outsource accounting software 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.

In Lumino, 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.

Team analysing financial charts around a table

QR-bills and friction-free collections

Supplier invoices benefit from the same standard: the QR code is read on receipt, the payment is staged in e-banking with the desired due date, and the expense entry is proposed with the correct VAT. The purchase-payment-posting chain takes three moves.

For an SME in Lumino, receivables are an asset to manage: a weekly ageing balance, graduated reminders and a provision for doubtful cases — accounting software provides the numbers, discipline does the rest.

Lumino: what changes, what does not

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

Lumino requires no special bookkeeping: the Code of Obligations applies at postal code 6533 as everywhere else, and a well-kept digital file transfers smoothly to any auditor in the canton.

Frequently asked questions

How long must records related to accounting software 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 Lumino can therefore archive fully digitally.

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 Lumino: the CO dictates it, not the commune.

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 Lumino as everywhere in Switzerland.

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 Lumino.

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Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

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

    Accounting software for SA companies in Lumino — Swiss guide