Online accounting service in Switzerland with human fiduciary support
Send documents online, review questions by video and keep your Swiss accounting organised without routine office visits. Robuste combines a digital-first workflow with human bookkeeping review, VAT control and year-end coordination. On-site support can be arranged when operationally necessary.
This is not a self-service accounting app. It is a remote fiduciary relationship for SMEs, Sàrl, SA, freelancers and international businesses that need Swiss accounting handled by people — with clear responsibilities and an agreed monthly rhythm.
- Digital document exchange and remote onboarding
- Human review of bookkeeping and accounting questions
- VAT, payroll and closing modules if included
- Working communication in English or French
An online accountant is not the same as accounting software
The distinction matters for both service expectations and search intent. A platform gives access to tools. An online fiduciary provides a professional accounting mandate delivered remotely.
What is an online accounting service in Switzerland?
An online accounting service combines digital document exchange, remote collaboration and cloud-based access with accounting work performed and reviewed by a Swiss fiduciary. Depending on the agreed scope, the service may include recurring bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, VAT, payroll coordination, annual closing and management follow-up. The delivery is online; the accounting responsibility is still human.
Digital describes how documents, access and meetings are organised. Fiduciary service describes who analyses, reviews and delivers the accounting work.
You do not simply receive login credentials and automated entries. The mandate defines which documents you provide, which controls Robuste performs, which questions require your approval and which outputs are delivered.
Software, online bookkeeping and a digital fiduciary solve different problems
The right choice depends on whether you need tools, transaction processing or a broader accounting relationship.
Online accounting is strongest when the business is ready for a regular digital rhythm
The model is particularly useful when documents are already digital, managers work across locations or English-speaking owners need Swiss accounting explained without recurring travel.
Consultants and service businesses
Recurring invoices, business expenses, bank transactions and VAT questions can be handled through a simple monthly flow.
Small Sàrl and SA
Companies that need controlled accounting and annual closing but do not need a full-time internal accounting employee.
Foreign-owned Swiss companies
Directors and shareholders abroad receive English explanations while the accounting remains aligned with Swiss requirements.
Digital and SaaS businesses
Subscriptions, foreign suppliers, online payments and international services require a digital workflow plus careful VAT review.
E-commerce and platform businesses
Stripe, PayPal, marketplace fees, refunds and payment settlements need structured exports and reconciliation rules.
Remote or multi-location teams
One document channel and a shared timetable reduce the fragmented email chains that often delay bookkeeping and closing.
If months of records are missing, bank accounts are unreconciled or VAT deadlines are already overdue, the first phase is a separate file review and catch-up plan rather than an immediate standard monthly package.
From digital onboarding to a controlled monthly accounting cycle
Online delivery should simplify the client experience without hiding responsibilities. The process starts with scope and access — not with mass uploading documents into an undefined folder.
Scope and file review
You describe the legal form, activity, VAT, payroll, software, monthly volume, current provider, backlog and expected outputs.
Digital setup
We define document channels, user access, naming rules, approval points, banking exports and the monthly cut-off date.
Document transmission
Invoices, statements, receipts and exports are supplied at the agreed frequency instead of being collected only before a deadline.
Processing and reconciliation
Entries are prepared, bank and payment movements are matched, missing documents are identified and unusual items are flagged.
Human review and questions
Accounting treatment, VAT-sensitive items and unresolved balances are reviewed. Questions are sent in a structured list.
Deliverables and video follow-up
VAT, payroll coordination, reporting or closing work follows the agreed calendar, with video review when useful.
A practical online flow: send, control, decide
Good online accounting reduces unnecessary movement of documents while keeping the decision trail visible.
Uploads complete source documents
Client and supplier invoices, bank and card data, expense receipts, payroll inputs and relevant contracts are supplied through the agreed channel.
Processes, reconciles and raises questions
Documents are connected to accounting entries, transactions are reconciled and missing or sensitive items are grouped for review.
Approves decisions and receives outputs
Management validates unresolved business facts, approves selected treatments and receives the accounting, VAT or reporting output in scope.
What an online accounting mandate may include
Online delivery does not mean every accounting service is automatically included. Each module is confirmed in writing according to the actual file.
Recurring digital bookkeeping
The monthly core is built around complete documents, bank reconciliation and a clear list of unresolved items.
- Posting of client and supplier transactions
- Bank, card and payment-platform reconciliation
- Open-item and missing-document follow-up
- Expense classification and account checks
- Closing-ready accounting records according to scope
Historic catch-up, file clean-up, complex inventory, group consolidation, software migration, legal review and exceptional management analysis are quoted separately unless explicitly included.
VAT preparation and filing support
VAT work can be handled remotely when invoices, transaction data and the business model are sufficiently documented.
- VAT coding consistency checks
- Preparation of returns according to the applicable method
- Review of input tax and sensitive invoices
- Questions on foreign services and acquisition tax
- Reconciliation between VAT returns and accounting
Registration, deregistration, mixed activities, international supply chains, import/export, platform models and historic corrections should not be assumed to be part of routine VAT filing.
Annual closing preparation
A regular online workflow makes the year-end file easier, but the annual closing remains a separate control phase.
- Balance and account review
- Accruals, deferrals and depreciation entries
- Open receivables and payables review
- VAT and payroll consistency where applicable
- Preparation of statutory financial statements according to scope
Annual closing, corporate tax return preparation, audit coordination and shareholder documentation may be included in a broader mandate or quoted separately. The proposal states this explicitly.
Payroll coordination in the same digital cycle
Where payroll is included, monthly inputs and approval deadlines are integrated into the accounting calendar.
- Collection of salary variables and approved changes
- Payslip and accounting-entry coordination
- AVS, LPP, accident insurance and withholding-tax data
- Annual salary-certificate preparation
- Reconciliation with accounting records
Employment contracts, labour-law advice, complex international payroll, permits and insurance disputes require separate review or coordination with the relevant specialist.
Management follow-up in English
When the bookkeeping is current, selected reporting outputs can be added for directors, shareholders or a foreign parent company.
- Monthly P&L and balance-sheet review
- Cash, receivables and payables follow-up
- Short English commentary
- Budget-versus-actuals where data exists
- Video review according to the agreed frequency
Advanced KPIs, 13-week cash flow, board packs, forecasting and part-time CFO support belong on the dedicated financial reporting page.
Online delivery works when roles are explicit
Remote collaboration should create more clarity, not less. The mandate and onboarding file establish who supplies data, who approves decisions and who prepares each output.
Business facts and approvals
- Provide complete and timely source documents
- Explain the business purpose of unusual transactions
- Approve payments, salaries and management decisions
- Notify changes in activity, staff, ownership or contracts
- Maintain access to required business systems
Accounting work in scope
- Process and reconcile agreed accounting records
- Identify missing documents and inconsistencies
- Prepare VAT, payroll, closing or reporting modules if included
- Explain accounting questions in English or French
- Maintain the agreed working calendar and deliverables
Decisions requiring exchange
- VAT classification for unusual or cross-border supplies
- Provisions, write-offs and year-end estimates
- Related-party and shareholder transactions
- Software changes and data migrations
- Deadlines affected by missing information
The company remains responsible for business decisions, the completeness of information supplied and approvals. Robuste is responsible for the professional work explicitly accepted in the mandate.
A digital fiduciary should fit the accounting process — not force technology for its own sake
The objective is a reliable flow with clear access, exports and approvals. The best tool depends on the company’s volume, current setup and reporting needs.
We assess whether the current system provides workable access, exports, document links and a coherent chart of accounts.
Invoices and receipts are transmitted through an agreed structure rather than scattered across personal inboxes.
Bank, card, Stripe, PayPal or marketplace movements require suitable exports and reconciliation logic.
Access is limited to what each participant needs for processing, review or approval.
Documents, entries and corrections should remain understandable and traceable throughout the accounting cycle.
Questions are grouped by period or topic so that the director can respond efficiently without losing context.
Online accounting must remain readable, traceable and defensible
Digital transmission makes collaboration easier. It does not replace the legal and control requirements attached to accounting records, VAT and personal data.
Accounting records and retention
Accounting books and records, annual reports and audit reports generally have a ten-year retention period. Electronic records must remain accessible, readable and verifiable throughout that period.
Online filing and supporting evidence
VAT reporting has been mandatory online since 1 January 2025. Digital filing does not remove the need for correct invoices, VAT coding, reconciliations and supporting documents.
Personal data and access controls
Companies processing personal data in Switzerland must apply the current data-protection framework. Channels, permissions and service providers should be chosen according to the data and mandate.
A folder can hold files without proving completeness, integrity or correct accounting treatment. The workflow must connect documents, entries, approvals, access and retention.
Online accounting fees based on real scope and operating complexity
These are starting points, not automatic packages. The final quote depends on document volume, accounts, VAT, payroll, closing, reporting, software, international flows, deadlines and the condition of the file.
Digital Bookkeeping
For a small, organised activity with a limited number of transactions and a simple digital document flow.
- Recurring bookkeeping according to scope
- Bank reconciliation
- Missing-document follow-up
- Email-based accounting questions
- VAT or closing only if expressly included
Online SME Accounting
For an active Sàrl, SA or SME with recurring accounting, VAT and a more structured monthly review.
- Monthly accounting and reconciliations
- VAT module if applicable and agreed
- Structured question list
- Closing preparation according to scope
- Periodic video review
Digital Finance Support
For growing companies that need accounting, selected reporting and more frequent coordination in English.
- Broader monthly accounting scope
- VAT and payroll coordination if agreed
- Management reporting module
- Monthly review call
- English shareholder or director commentary
Historic catch-up, unreconciled balances, inventory, multiple entities, complex VAT, international transactions, payroll volume, platform sales, software migration, urgent deadlines and advanced reporting are assessed separately. Software licences and third-party fees are not assumed to be included.
This service is not the best starting point if your need is more specific
Online accounting describes the delivery model. The pages below focus on the exact accounting work you may need.
You want to delegate the whole accounting function
Use the outsourcing page for full, partial or hybrid delegation, responsibility matrices and file takeover.
Accounting outsourcing →You only need transaction processing and reconciliations
Use the bookkeeping page when the main need is recurring entries, bank matching and closing-ready records.
SME bookkeeping →Your immediate issue is the annual closing
Use the year-end page for statutory accounts, adjustments, reconciliations and the tax-ready closing file.
Annual closing →You need dashboards, cash flow or CFO insight
Use the reporting page when the accounting exists but management needs clearer KPIs and forecasts.
Financial reporting →You need margins by project, client or activity
Use analytical accounting for cost centres, allocation keys, contribution margin and profitability.
Analytical accounting →You are still comparing all accounting services
Use the English accounting hub to choose between bookkeeping, VAT, closing, reporting and outsourcing.
Accounting in Vaud →Swiss rules behind a digital accounting workflow
The official links below support the general points on electronic accounting, VAT reporting and data protection. File-specific treatment still depends on the facts.
Describe your current accounting workflow — before choosing software or a package
Tell us how your documents, banks, VAT, payroll and closing are currently organised. We will identify whether you need online bookkeeping, a broader digital accounting mandate or full accounting outsourcing.
- Legal form and main business activity
- Approximate monthly invoice and transaction volume
- Bank, card, Stripe, PayPal or marketplace accounts
- VAT status and payroll headcount if applicable
- Current accounting software and access model
- Latest completed closing and any backlog
Robuste works as a digital-first fiduciary. Most documents are exchanged online and meetings normally take place by video. On-site support can be arranged when the situation requires it; Robuste does not operate a permanent client-facing office.
Request an online accounting proposal
Scope-based quote · English or French · digital onboarding
Online accounting in Switzerland — practical questions
Short answers for companies comparing a digital fiduciary, bookkeeping software and traditional accounting support.
What is an online accounting service in Switzerland?
An online accounting service combines digital document exchange and remote collaboration with accounting work performed and reviewed by a Swiss fiduciary. The exact mandate may cover bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, VAT, payroll coordination, annual closing and reporting. It is a professional service, not merely access to accounting software.
Is Robuste an accounting software platform?
No. Robuste is a digital-first fiduciary service. Software is used to collect documents, process data and organise access, but accounting judgement, VAT review, reconciliations, closing work and client questions remain subject to human review within the agreed scope.
Can we keep our current accounting software?
Often yes, if the current system provides suitable access, exports, document traceability and a workable accounting structure. During onboarding, Robuste reviews whether the existing software can be retained or whether a different workflow would reduce duplication and control risks.
Which documents are needed for online accounting?
Typical documents include client invoices, supplier invoices, bank and card statements, expense receipts, payment-platform exports, payroll data where applicable, contracts relevant to accounting treatment, and information required for VAT or annual closing. The document list is adapted to the company and mandate.
Is online accounting compliant with Swiss accounting rules?
A digital workflow can comply with Swiss accounting rules when records remain complete, readable, traceable and available throughout the applicable retention period. Digital transmission does not remove the company’s duties under the Swiss Code of Obligations, VAT rules or data-protection requirements.
Can VAT, payroll and annual closing be handled online?
Yes, where these modules are included in the mandate and the required data is supplied on time. VAT filings, payroll coordination and annual closing can be managed remotely, but each area has its own deadlines, supporting documents and review points that must be defined before work starts.
Is the service suitable for foreign-owned Swiss companies?
Yes. The service is designed for English-speaking directors, foreign shareholders, Swiss subsidiaries and international service businesses that need Swiss accounting handled locally while communication, explanations and selected management outputs are provided in English.
How much does online accounting cost in Switzerland?
The price depends on document volume, number of bank and payment accounts, VAT, payroll, annual closing, reporting, software access, international transactions and the condition of the existing file. Indicative starting points on this page range from CHF 350 per month for a limited digital bookkeeping mandate to CHF 1,290 per month for broader digital finance support. The final scope is quoted after review.