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Art. 959 ff. of the Swiss Code of Obligations governs the structure of a company's annual financial statement, which includes the balance sheet, income statement, and notes to the accounts. The balance sheet shows the assets and financial position, while the income statement reflects the earnings situation and the notes explain this information.

Accounting according to Art. 957 ff. of the Swiss Code of Obligations includes principles such as clarity, completeness, and conservative accounting. The accounting must be adapted to company-specific characteristics and balance sheets must be retained for 10 years.

Value adjustments adjust book values of tangible assets and receivables to reflect actual depreciation; they adhere to the principle of accounting truth. Distinctions are made between straight-line and declining balance depreciation methods as well as special accounts for unreal receivables losses.

Accounting informs about the financial situation of a company and assists with tax calculations and pricing. It follows the principles of truth, clarity, and continuity.

Corporations and limited liability companies, as legal entities, are subject to multiple taxation, in which both the company and the shareholders are taxed. They pay federal, cantonal, municipal, and sometimes church taxes on profits and capital.

The Swiss tax system emphasizes federalism, where the Confederation, cantons, and municipalities levy taxes, and the federal constitution regulates the competencies. For the purpose of standardization, the Tax Harmonization Law exists.

Owners of sole proprietorships can use their accrued pension fund money when switching to self-employment, but not the founders of a corporation or a limited liability company. To receive it, they must prove their self-employment to the pension fund.

Waiving salary is possible in joint-stock companies and limited liability companies, but obligations such as minimum social security contributions still exist. An alternative to salary could be dividends, however, this entails the problem of double taxation.

The taxation of a sole proprietorship avoids economic double taxation, unlike in the case of corporations. Disadvantages arise from the tax treatment in the event of business cessation or sale.