The most common accounting mistakes and how outsourcing can help

Why accounting errors are so serious

Accounting errors can have serious consequences – both legally and financially. SMEs in Switzerland in particular often underestimate the effort required for proper accounting. Typical consequences of accounting errors:

• Additional tax claims or fines
• Delays in annual financial statements
• Loss of trust among investors or banks
  
• Tax audits and additional work

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The most common accounting errors at a glance

1. Incorrect or duplicate entries

A classic mistake: transactions are entered twice or posted to the wrong account. This leads to:

• Distorted financial reports
• Problems with VAT returns

2. Missing or incomplete receipts

Without valid receipts, entries are not recognized for tax purposes. Reasons for missing receipts can include:

• Loss of receipts
• Improper filing

3. Incorrect calculations

Even small calculation errors can have a big impact—for example, when calculating:

• Salaries and social security contributions
• Value added tax (VAT)
• Provisions or depreciation

4. Unclear account assignment

Missing or inconsistent accounting guidelines mean that entries are not recorded uniformly. This makes it difficult to:

• Analyze the figures
• Identify trends

5. Late entries

If entries are recorded too late, current figures are missing for:

• Liquidity planning
• Tax forecasts
• Business decisions

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How outsourcing helps prevent errors

A professional accounting service provider not only brings expertise to the table, but also processes and technologies that significantly reduce sources of error.

1. Standardized processes and controls

External providers work with clearly defined processes and checklists, e.g.:

• Four-eyes principle for critical bookings
• Automated checks for duplicates
• Regular account reconciliations
  

2. Digital tools for document processing

Modern accounting firms use:

• OCR technologies for document recognition
• Automatic allocation of transactions
• Cloud archiving with full-text search

These tools help to avoid missing or incorrectly allocated documents.

3. Ongoing training

Accounting professionals stay up to date through training and industry updates – including legal changes such as the revDSG or VAT.

4. Specialization by industry

An experienced service provider is familiar with industry-specific challenges. Examples:

• Project-based accounting in the construction industry
• E-commerce-specific VAT issues

5. Transparent communication and reporting

• Clear interfaces with the internal team
  
• Monthly reports with plausibility checks
• Advice on unclear accounting transactions

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Practical examples: How outsourcing helps in concrete terms

Example 1: Restaurant in Lucerne

A restaurant had been struggling with document collection for years. By switching to digital document capture with a fiduciary, the effort was halved – and the accounting has been ready for audit at any time since then.

Example 2: IT start-up in Bern

The start-up had numerous transactions with foreign customers. Errors in VAT assessment led to uncertainties. An external service provider took over the accounting and integrated VAT-compliant processes for international services.

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How to find the right accounting service provider

Not every provider is right for every company. When making your selection, look for:

• Experience in your industry
  
• Certifications such as Expert or Treuhand Suisse membership
• Use of technology (cloud, automation)
• References and customer testimonials

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Conclusion: Avoid errors and save resources through outsourcing

Errors in accounting are not uncommon – but they are avoidable. Those who rely on outsourcing benefit from:

• Professional expertise
• Efficient processes
• Reduction of risks
  

Our recommendation: Review your current accounting structure and evaluate whether an external partner can improve your processes and reduce your error rate.

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