How much does basic accounting cost for an LLC in Switzerland?

Cost overview for Swiss LLCs

The accounting costs for an LLC in Switzerland vary considerably depending on the scope and complexity of the business activities. For a simple LLC without employees and with a low volume of bookings, you can expect to pay between CHF 200 and 500 per month. For LLCs subject to VAT or with additional requirements such as payroll accounting or more complex accounts receivable management, the costs typically rise to CHF 500 to 1,200 per month.

Detailed cost breakdown (estimate)

Example annual costs for an LLC without employees

Additional cost items

For more extensive requirements, the following will be added:

• Payroll accounting: CHF 50-150 per employee/month
• Accounts receivable management: CHF 200-500 per month
• Accounts payable monitoring: CHF 100-300 per month
• Advanced consulting: CHF 150–300 per hour
• Special evaluations: CHF 200–800 per report

Main cost factors in detail

Number of business transactions

The volume of documents significantly determines the amount of work involved:

• 20–50 documents/month: Basic price range (CHF 200–300)
• 51–100 documents/month: Medium price range (CHF 301–500)
• 101–200 documents/month: Upper price range (CHF 501–800)
• Over 200 documents/month: Premium price range (CHF 801–1,200+)

VAT treatment and complexity

The VAT situation has a significant impact on the amount of work involved:

Net tax rate method:

• Simpler billing, less work
• Quarterly flat-rate billing
• Typical additional costs: CHF 150-300 per quarter

Effective VAT method:

• Detailed input tax recording required
• Monthly or quarterly statements
• Typical additional costs: CHF 200–400 per quarter

VAT exemption:

• No VAT statements required
• Cost savings of CHF 600–1,200 per year

Payroll accounting as a cost driver

As soon as employees are hired, costs rise significantly:

• 1-3 employees: CHF 150-400 additional per month
• 4-10 employees: CHF 400-800 additional per month
• More than 10 employees: Individual agreements required

Usually included:

• Monthly payroll accounting
• Social security registrations and statements
• Accident insurance processing
• Withholding tax statements for foreign employees

Business model complexity

Different industries and structures require different levels of effort:

Simple services:

• Consulting, IT services, freelance work
• Less complex accounting processes
• Lower price range

Trade and e-commerce:

• Warehouse management and goods receipts/issues
• More complex VAT treatment
• Online shop connections and payment providers
• Medium to high price range

Production and processing:

• Asset accounting and depreciation
• Cost center accounting and calculation
• Raw material and finished goods valuation
• Upper to premium price range

Holding structures:

• Investment management and consolidation
• International interdependencies
• Tax-optimized structuring
• Premium price range with specialist rates

Pricing models and billing types

Monthly flat rates

Advantages for LLCs:

• Predictable, even cost distribution
• Often includes more comprehensive support
• No surprises with fluctuating volumes
• Better budgeting for companies

Typical structure:

• Basic flat rate for ongoing accounting
• Separate flat rates for VAT and payroll accounting
• Annual financial statements often as an additional package

Annual packages

Particularly attractive for LLCs:

• Usually 10-15% cheaper than 12 individual months
• All main services included
• Simple annual budget planning
• Often includes extended consulting services

Hourly billing

Flexible for irregular requirements:

• Typical hourly rates: CHF 120-200
• Suitable for project-based additional services
• Transparent billing based on time and effort
• Risk of unpredictable costs

Market comparison of different types of providers

Traditional trust companies

CHF 300-800 per month for LLC support

• Personal, local support
• Many years of experience with LLC structures
• Often comprehensive tax and legal advice
• Higher prices due to overhead costs

Digital accounting service providers

CHF 200-500 per month through automation

• Modern online platforms and apps
• Standardized processes for cost savings
• Self-service elements for clients
• Less personal contact

Specialized LLC services

CHF 250-600 per month with a focus on LLCs

• Packages specialized for legal entities
• Experience with typical LLC challenges
• Standardized processes for efficiency
• Good value for money

Findea.ch: Cost-effective LLC solution

Findea.ch offers transparent fixed prices starting at CHF 145 per month (excl. VAT), including for LLCs. The digital offering combines modern technology with LLC-specific expertise.

Findea advantages for LLCs:

• Scalable fixed prices with no hidden costs
• LLC-experienced trustees with industry knowledge
• Digital platform for efficient collaboration
• Complete packages including annual financial statements and tax returns
• Flexible expansion as your company grows

Customized quote: At https://www.findea.ch/en/services/accounting, you can get a free quote tailored to your LLC.

Hidden costs in LLC accounting

Frequent additional costs

Watch out for potential extras:

• Commercial register entries: CHF 100-300 per change
• Capital increases/reductions: CHF 500-1,500
• Shareholder meeting minutes: CHF 200-500
• Liquidation support: CHF 1,000–3,000
• Auditor coordination: CHF 300–800 per year

Software and IT costs

Technical infrastructure can be an additional expense:

• Accounting software licenses: CHF 50–200 per month
• ERP system connections: CHF 100–500 setup
• Backup and archiving: CHF 30–100 per month
• Support and updates: CHF 200–500 per year

Realize cost savings

Digital optimization

Modern working methods reduce costs:

• Digital document capture saves processing time
• Automated bank data imports reduce manual effort
• Online dashboards minimize communication effort
• Standardized processes enable economies of scale

Efficient collaboration

Your cooperation can reduce costs:

• Structured document filing reduces sorting effort
• Regular transmission avoids backlogs and time pressure
• Clear communication minimizes queries
• Standardized formats speed up processing

Weighing up quality vs. price

What justifies expensive offers

Higher prices may be justified in the following cases:

• Specialized industry expertise for complex business models
• Comprehensive consulting services beyond pure accounting
• Personal support with dedicated contact persons
• Additional services such as controlling or financial planning

Warning signs for offers that are too cheap

Be wary of unrealistically low prices:

• Unclear service definitions with many additional costs
• Lack of qualifications or certifications
• Poor availability or long processing times
• Hidden costs that only become apparent later

Practical selection recommendations

Compare offers correctly

Important comparison criteria:

• Total annual costs including all services
• Scalability as the company grows
• Technical equipment and degree of digitization
• References from comparable LLCs

Optimize contract design

Aim for flexible agreements:

• Adaptable packages for business development
• Fair notice periods for flexibility
• Clear service definitions for cost control
• Escalation mechanisms in case of problems

Conclusion on LLC accounting costs

Accounting costs for Swiss LLCs typically range between CHF 4,000 and 9,000 per year for simple structures. The costs can increase accordingly for more complex requirements or personnel costs. Modern, digital providers such as Findea.ch with fixed prices starting at CHF 145 per month make professional LLC accounting accessible and economically viable even for smaller companies. The decisive factor is the right balance between costs, scope of services, and service quality in line with the individual requirements of your LLC.

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