Bookkeeping · SMEs · Vaud · English

SME bookkeeping in Vaudmonthly accounts, reconciliations and VAT-ready records

Regular bookkeeping keeps invoices, banks, payment platforms and open customer or supplier balances under control before annual closing becomes urgent.

Robuste Fiduciaire processes recurring accounting documents, reconciles financial flows, matches open accounts and prepares a traceable file for VAT and year-end work. This page covers the operational bookkeeping layer. A broader mandate is available through our SME accounting service in Vaud.

Recurring document entry and classification
Bank, card and payment-platform reconciliation
Customer and supplier matching
VAT-ready coding when included in the mandate
🇨🇭 Swiss accounting context
📍 Lausanne · Vaud · Riviera · Chablais
🔒 Confidential document handling
💻 Digital-first collaboration
Direct answer

What SME bookkeeping actually covers

Bookkeeping is the recurring processing and control of accounting transactions.

It typically includes document entry, classification, bank and payment reconciliation, customer and supplier matching, VAT-ready coding and regular account checks. It does not automatically include payroll, annual closing, corporate tax, advanced reporting or strategic advice unless those modules are expressly included in the mandate.

Defined mandate

Included in bookkeeping — and what needs a separate scope

A precise mandate avoids the most common source of frustration: assuming that every accounting, VAT, payroll and year-end task is automatically included under the word “bookkeeping”.

Typical bookkeeping scope

  • Entry and classification of customer and supplier documents.
  • Bank, card and payment-platform reconciliation.
  • Matching customer receipts and supplier payments.
  • Identification of missing documents and unresolved entries.
  • VAT-ready coding and recurring consistency checks, when agreed.
  • Preparation of a cleaner file for annual closing.

Not automatic unless contracted

  • Payroll processing, social declarations and salary certificates.
  • Annual closing entries and statutory financial statements.
  • Corporate tax return or detailed tax advice.
  • Cash-flow forecasts, KPI dashboards or management reporting.
  • Historical clean-up before the agreed takeover date.
  • Bank payment execution or commercial approval decisions.
Recurring workflow

A bookkeeping cycle built around regular controls

The software matters, but the rhythm matters more. A stable process reduces missing documents, unresolved transactions and year-end correction work.

01

Collect

Documents, bank data and business context are shared through the agreed digital workflow.

02

Process

Transactions are entered, classified and linked to the relevant documents and accounts.

03

Reconcile

Banks, cards, platforms and open customer or supplier balances are checked and matched.

04

Clarify

Missing evidence, unusual entries and unresolved differences are flagged before the next cycle.

Document flow

What your SME should provide regularly

A reliable accounting file depends on complete supporting evidence and a predictable transmission routine.

Sales

Customer documents

Invoices, credit notes, payment confirmations, contracts and information needed to understand unusual revenue entries.

Purchases

Supplier and expense evidence

Supplier invoices, receipts, subscriptions, expense claims, travel costs and supporting documents.

Cash flows

Banks and payment methods

Bank statements, cards, Twint, Stripe, PayPal, SumUp or other payment-platform exports used by the business.

Commitments

Important contracts

Rent, leasing, loans, insurance, financing arrangements and commitments that affect recurring entries or year-end work.

Staff

Payroll totals where relevant

Payroll journals and related information for posting and reconciliation when payroll accounting entries are part of the scope.

Year-end

Inventory and fixed assets

Stock, work in progress, equipment and investment information required for the closing process.

Bookkeeping quality

VAT-ready records start with correct recurring entries

VAT treatment depends on the activity, supporting documents, applicable method and correct coding. Bookkeeping can prepare the necessary data, but filing responsibility and controls must be stated in the mandate.

Monthly rhythm

Best for active SMEs

Useful when the business has regular volume, VAT, several banks or payment methods, customer receivables, supplier balances or a need for timely figures.

Quarterly rhythm

Possible for a simpler file

Can be suitable for fewer transactions and limited complexity, provided documents remain complete and deadlines can still be met without rushed catch-up work.

VAT scope rule

VAT preparation, review and filing should never be assumed merely because recurring bookkeeping is outsourced. The written mandate should define the method, frequency, checks, submission process and division of responsibilities.

Practical examples

Three bookkeeping situations with different operational needs

Consulting Sàrl with monthly invoices

One bank account, supplier subscriptions, expense claims and open customer invoices require regular matching rather than an annual catch-up.

Useful focus: receivables, bank reconciliation and clean VAT-ready coding.

E-commerce company with several payment flows

Bank, card processor, marketplace fees, refunds and platform payouts must be reconciled so the recorded revenue matches the actual cash flows.

Useful focus: platform reconciliation, fees, refunds and missing settlement documents.

SME changing fiduciary mid-year

The takeover requires a cut-off date, validated balances, open items, VAT status, software access and a clear list of work already completed.

Useful focus: controlled transition before recurring bookkeeping resumes.
Quote logic

How the bookkeeping quote is calculated

The same legal form can represent a very different workload. Pricing is therefore based on the actual file rather than a generic package name.

Document volume

Number of customer, supplier, expense and recurring documents to process.

Banks and platforms

Number of accounts, cards and payment providers that require reconciliation.

VAT complexity

Method, filing rhythm, rates, mixed activities and sensitive transactions.

Open-account matching

Volume and quality of customer receivables and supplier payables.

Condition of the file

Up-to-date records, missing evidence, historical delays or takeover corrections.

Required controls

Processing frequency, review depth, reporting needs and additional modules.

No fixed package is assumed before reviewing the file. A written proposal should identify what is included, what remains inside the company, the recurring timetable and any separate annual or specialist work.
Choose the right route

This page is not the right service if your first need is different

Bookkeeping owns the recurring transaction-processing intent. Other accounting needs should lead to their dedicated English service page.

You need a complete accounting mandate

For broader responsibility covering bookkeeping, VAT, closing coordination and recurring fiduciary support.

SME accounting in Vaud →

You are deciding what to outsource

For complete, partial or hybrid delegation and a documented responsibility map.

Accounting outsourcing →

You need cost centres and margin analysis

For profitability by activity, client, project or product and cost-allocation rules.

Management accounting →

You mainly want a digital workflow

For remote document exchange, online collaboration and a digital-first fiduciary process.

Online accounting service →
SME bookkeeping FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Each answer below matches the structured FAQ data included in this page.

What does SME bookkeeping include?
The recurring scope can include document processing, accounting entries, bank and payment reconciliation, customer and supplier matching, VAT-ready coding, account checks and preparation of the file for annual closing. The exact scope is confirmed in the written mandate.
How often should bookkeeping be processed?
Monthly processing is usually more suitable when the company has regular transaction volume, VAT, several payment methods or open customer and supplier accounts. A quarterly rhythm may be sufficient for a simpler activity with fewer movements.
Is VAT included in bookkeeping?
VAT preparation and filing support can be included when stated in the mandate. The applicable method, filing frequency, rates, mixed activities and responsibility for submission must be clarified before the recurring work begins.
Does bookkeeping include annual closing?
Not automatically. Regular bookkeeping prepares a cleaner file for annual closing, but closing entries, statutory financial statements and tax preparation may be included in a broader mandate or handled as a separate service.
Can Robuste take over bookkeeping from another fiduciary?
Yes. A structured takeover normally reviews the accounting cut-off date, balances, open customer and supplier items, bank reconciliation, VAT status, software access, missing documents and work already completed by the former provider.
How is the bookkeeping quote calculated?
The quote depends on the real monthly document volume, number of banks and payment platforms, VAT complexity, open-account matching, current condition of the file, software, processing rhythm and whether takeover or additional controls are required.
Bookkeeping scope request

Describe the file and receive a structured proposal

Useful information includes your legal form, approximate monthly document volume, bank and payment accounts, VAT situation, current software, processing delay and whether a takeover is required.

  • Real volume and workflow reviewed before proposing a recurring scope.
  • Bookkeeping, VAT, annual closing and other modules separated clearly.
  • English communication and digital-first document exchange.
  • No commitment created by submitting the initial scope request.

SME bookkeeping request

Describe the accounting flow and the support you need.

Information is used to review the requested scope and handled confidentially.