SME Accounting Vaud —
bookkeeping, VAT, reporting and annual closing
Outsourced accounting for an SME in Vaud includes monthly bookkeeping, VAT returns, annual closing under Swiss CO and corporate tax preparation — within a clearly defined scope from CHF 290/month.
Robuste Fiduciaire supports Sàrl, SA, structured self-employed professionals and SMEs in the canton of Vaud with clear, usable accounting tailored to real business needs: up-to-date records, controlled VAT, anticipated closing and reliable financial visibility.
Accounting that is not only for filing a tax return
For SMEs, accounting has two roles: meeting legal obligations and giving the owner a useful basis for decisions. Correct bookkeeping delivered too late is not enough.
Bookkeeping
Posting, matching, bank reconciliation, document classification and account checks according to the agreed scope.
VAT and FTA compliance
VAT returns, method selection, applicable rates, mixed activities and verification of sensitive entries.
Management reporting
A clear reading of profit, cash flow, liabilities, expenses and points to correct before closing.
Annual closing
Accruals, depreciation, provisions, VAT checks, transitory accounts and tax preparation elements.
Payroll if applicable
Payroll management, AVS, LPP, LAA, withholding tax and annual salary certificates if included in the mandate.
File takeover
Review of existing records, document recovery, balance checks and setup of a reliable monthly rhythm.
VAT: current rates, effective method, flat-rate method and registration
In Switzerland, the current VAT rates are 8.1%, 2.6% and 3.8%. The usual registration threshold is CHF 100,000 of relevant turnover.
Standard rate
Applies to most goods and services, unless exceptions are provided under Swiss VAT law.
Reduced rate
Applies to specific categories. The correct qualification must be checked depending on the activity.
Special rate
Mainly linked to accommodation. Mixed activities require a clear and documented allocation.
Applicable rates must always be verified according to the exact nature of the service or product. The rates used on this page are 8.1%, 2.6% and 3.8%. The choice between the effective method and the flat-rate method depends on the file and should never be presented as automatic.
Effective method
The SME declares VAT charged to clients and deducts input VAT paid on business purchases. It gives a more precise picture but requires rigorous documentation.
Flat-rate method
The SME applies a flat rate depending on its activity. It can simplify administration, but it is not always the most advantageous option.
Useful accounting starts with a clear rhythm
Real comfort comes from a simple monthly organisation: documents transmitted regularly, checks done on time, VAT prepared without stress and annual closing made much smoother.
Document collection
Client invoices, supplier invoices, bank statements, cards, payroll if applicable and expense receipts.
Posting and reconciliation
Transactions are recorded, payments reconciled and missing documents identified.
VAT and consistency checks
Rates, method, sensitive entries and suspense accounts are reviewed.
Management reporting
The owner receives a clear view: profit, cash flow, liabilities, VAT and points to anticipate.
The more regularly documents are provided, the simpler the closing becomes
A clean file every month avoids emergencies, forgotten documents and costly corrections at year-end.
Banks and payments
Bank statements, credit cards, Stripe, SumUp, Twint, PayPal or secondary business accounts.
Monthly baseClient and supplier invoices
Issued invoices, received invoices, credit notes, professional subscriptions and purchase receipts.
VAT essentialPayroll if applicable
Entries, exits, hours, holidays, absences, work permits, withholding tax and contract changes.
According to mandateExpenses and expense reports
Mileage, business meals, travel, representation costs and supporting receipts.
To documentInventory and stock
Year-end inventories, goods, raw materials or work in progress if relevant.
ClosingImportant contracts
Leasing, credit, shareholder loans, important client contracts, new commitments or guarantees.
To reportWhat must be clarified before closing
Annual closing is the moment when accounts are checked, corrected, documented and prepared for taxation.
Accruals and adjustments
Accrued expenses, accrued income, invoices not yet received, prepayments, provisions and corrections.
Depreciation
Equipment, vehicles, IT, installations, furniture or activity-specific assets.
VAT and clearing accounts
VAT balance checks, reconciliation with the FTA, transitory accounts and shareholder accounts.
Tax package
Preparation of the elements required for the corporate tax return according to the agreed scope.
Annual closing, tax return preparation, payroll, VAT and reporting may be included or separate depending on the mandate. The scope is clarified before the mission begins.
When should you consider a file takeover?
Changing fiduciary is often a healthy decision when the relationship no longer provides reliable accounts, respected deadlines or sufficient visibility.
Repeated delays
VAT returns filed at the last minute, annual closing always late, documents delivered under pressure.
Weak signalLack of visibility
You receive an annual balance sheet, but no useful monthly reporting to manage your activity.
FrequentUnclear answers
Your questions about VAT, payroll, dividends or expenses remain without a clear answer.
To correctUnpredictable pricing
Variable invoices without explanation, unannounced work, unclear mandate scope.
Relationship riskDifficult file recovery
You do not know which documents belong to you or how to recover your accounts.
We helpRepeated errors
VAT, payroll, shareholder accounts, missing documents or frequent corrections.
Audit advisedMonthly packages adapted to your real situation
The prices below provide a realistic starting point. The final fee depends on volume, VAT, payroll, possible file takeover and expected reporting level.
Essential
From CHF 290 / monthVery simple case, without payroll, without complex VAT and with few transactions.
- Simple monthly bookkeeping
- Bank reconciliations
- Document classification and checks
- Simplified closing according to mandate
- Basic e-mail support
Standard SME
CHF 490 – 790 / monthActive SME with VAT, regular volume and a need for management reporting.
- Complete monthly accounting
- VAT returns according to the applicable method
- Readable monthly reporting
- Checks of suspense accounts and liabilities
- Annual closing according to scope
- Owner support
Premium / complex
CHF 790 – 990+SME with file takeover, payroll, multi-activity or tax issues.
- File takeover or audit
- More complex VAT or mixed activities
- Payroll if included in the mandate
- Analytical or advanced reporting
- Senior involvement when needed
- Management meetings
Indicative hourly rate for one-off work or work outside the package: CHF 180/h. Payroll, tax returns, complex VAT or specific services are defined separately in the mandate.
What we analyse during the first exchange
Before any proposal, we perform a quick diagnostic to understand the real complexity of the file and avoid vague packages. The goal: clarify risks, volume, VAT, closing and genuinely useful services.
The risks of poorly monitored accounting
In practice, many tax problems do not come from intentional fraud, but from repeated accounting errors and insufficiently documented files.
- VAT incorrectly allocated or declared using an unsuitable method.
- Private expenses booked as business expenses without sufficient justification.
- Shareholder current account not controlled or not explained.
- Payroll incorrectly declared: AVS, LPP, LAA or withholding tax if applicable.
- Insufficient supporting documents or irregular archiving.
- Closing performed in a rush, with late corrections and lack of visibility.
These situations may lead to tax corrections, interest or penalties in case of audit. A clear mandate allows them to be handled upstream.
Is this service adapted to your SME?
A strong service page should also say when the offer is appropriate — and when it is not. This avoids unrealistic expectations and improves the quality of requests.
Adapted if:
- You are a Sàrl, SA or structured self-employed business in Vaud.
- You have VAT, regular documents or an annual closing to secure.
- You want readable reporting to manage your activity.
- You have or expect payroll, a file takeover or business growth.
- You are looking for a clear relationship with a defined scope.
Less adapted if:
- Your activity is extremely simple with no VAT, no volume and no follow-up need.
- You only want the lowest possible price, without support or controls.
- You want to handle everything yourself and delegate only a one-off correction.
- You expect payroll, complex VAT and closing to be included without a clear mandate.
Estimate the accounting package adapted to your SME
This estimate gives an order of magnitude. It does not replace a quote: the final package depends on real volume, VAT, payroll, annual closing, takeover and file complexity.
Very simple profile, generally without payroll or complex VAT.
Request a precise quote →Important: this simulation is deliberately indicative. It helps frame the budget but does not replace a contractual proposal. The exact scope is always fixed in the mandate.
Three frequent situations we handle for SMEs in Vaud
These examples are anonymised and indicative. They show how the mandate scope varies depending on VAT, payroll, accounting volume and management needs.
Service Sàrl in Lausanne
Around 40 monthly transactions, no employees, simple VAT and standard annual closing.
- Monthly bookkeeping
- VAT return if applicable
- Annual closing under Swiss CO according to mandate
- Indicative package: from CHF 290–390/month
Active SME with VAT and payroll
Company in Vaud with 3–6 employees, quarterly VAT, monthly reporting and need for visibility.
- Complete monthly accounting
- VAT and payroll if applicable
- Management reporting
- Indicative package: CHF 590–790/month
Takeover after previous fiduciary
Accounting delayed, suspense accounts to clean, VAT to verify and closing to secure.
- File takeover and review
- Accounting clean-up
- VAT and closing analysis
- Indicative package: from CHF 990/month + one-off work
SME accounting must be clear before it is fast
Our goal is to frame the mandate from the start: what is included, what remains outside the package, which documents must be provided and how figures will be followed every month.
What you gain
- Less uncertainty about deadlines, documents and responsibilities.
- VAT monitored according to current rates and the relevant method.
- Smoother annual closing thanks to monthly organisation.
- Better visibility over cash flow and financial performance.
What you avoid
- Unrealistic expectations about what is included or not.
- Late corrections at annual closing.
- VAT returns prepared in a rush.
- Unexpected invoices linked to a poorly defined mandate.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions business owners most often ask before outsourcing their accounting.
How much does SME accounting cost in Vaud?
A very simple case can start from CHF 290/month. A standard SME with VAT and reporting is often around CHF 490 to CHF 790/month.
Is VAT included?
Yes if it is included in the mandate. The scope depends on the VAT method, the number of returns and the complexity of transactions.
Is annual closing included?
It can be included or invoiced separately depending on the package. The exact content is clarified before the mission begins.
Do you handle payroll?
Yes if the SME has employees and if this is included in the mandate: AVS, LPP, LAA, withholding tax and salary certificates if relevant.
How does a file takeover work?
We analyse the existing file, recover documents, check balances and set up a clear monthly organisation.
Do you work with Bexio, Abacus or other tools?
Yes. The choice depends on volume, activity type, VAT, payroll and reporting needs.
What business owners expect from a clear fiduciary
Anonymised examples of common situations: mandate clarification, file takeover, VAT monitoring, monthly reporting and anticipated closing.
We mainly needed to understand what was included in the mandate. The new framework is much clearer: VAT, payroll, closing and reporting are separated properly, with a readable budget.
The file takeover helped put order back into suspense accounts and supporting documents. The most useful part for us was monthly reporting: it finally gives us a usable view of cash flow.
Before, we discovered important questions only at year-end closing. Now the documents to provide are clear every month, which makes closing much more predictable.
Examples anonymised and reformulated to preserve confidentiality. Prices, deadlines and results always depend on the signed mandate and the quality of documents provided.
Receive a clear proposal for your SME
Send us your situation: document volume, VAT, possible payroll, current software, file takeover or closing needs. We usually reply within 24 working hours with a clear scope.
- Analysis of real volume and complexity.
- Clarification of VAT, payroll, closing and reporting.
- Package proposal adapted to the mandate.
- First exchange without obligation.
Quote request
Free · No obligation · Reply usually within 24 working hours
Outsourcing accounting is not just delegating a task
It means setting up a method: regular documents, controlled VAT, anticipated closing, useful reporting and a clear mandate. For an SME in Vaud, this clarity is often worth more than the package price itself.