Swiss SME chart of accounts: structure, classes and veb.ch standards

Q: Is the Swiss chart of accounts compulsory?

There is no official, mandatory chart of accounts in Switzerland for SMEs. The Code of Obligations (CO) imposes general principles for bookkeeping and the preparation of financial statements, but leaves the choice of account nomenclature free. In practice, the majority of Swiss SMEs and fiduciaries use the veb.ch chart of accounts (Sterchi) as the reference framework, which facilitates exchanges with fiduciaries and banks.

Q: What is the structure of the Swiss SME chart of accounts?

The Swiss SME chart of accounts is organised into 9 classes: Class 1 (Current assets), Class 2 (Fixed assets), Class 3 (Short-term liabilities), Class 4 (Long-term liabilities and provisions), Class 5 (Equity), Class 6 (Operating expenses), Class 7 (Operating income), Class 8 (Non-operating results and income/expenses), Class 9 (Closing accounts). Accounts are numbered with 4 digits.

Q: Must the Swiss chart of accounts be followed to declare VAT?

The FTA does not require the use of a specific chart of accounts, but it does require that VAT returns be supported by regular bookkeeping. In practice, the Swiss SME chart of accounts includes specific accounts for VAT (accounts 1170/1171 for input tax, 2200/2201 for VAT payable) that directly facilitate the preparation of returns.

Definition

The Swiss chart of accounts for SMEs is a framework for the nomenclature and classification of accounting accounts, developed by veb.ch (Verband der Experten in Rechnungslegung und Controlling, formerly the SME branch of EXPERTsuisse). It is commonly referred to as the "Sterchi chart of accounts" after one of its principal authors.

Unlike some countries where the chart of accounts is prescribed by law, Switzerland gives companies the freedom to choose their chart of accounts, subject to compliance with the principles of the Code of Obligations (CO). The veb.ch chart of accounts has nevertheless established itself as the de facto standard for Swiss SMEs and fiduciaries.

Structure by class

The SME chart of accounts is organised into 9 classes, each grouping accounts of the same nature:

Class	Title
1	Current assets (cash, receivables, inventory)
2	Fixed assets (furniture, machinery, property)
3	Short-term liabilities (suppliers, VAT payable)
4	Long-term liabilities and provisions
5	Equity (share capital, reserves, profit)
6	Operating expenses (salaries, purchases, rent)
7	Operating income (turnover, financial income)
8	Extraordinary results and non-operating income/expenses
9	Closing accounts

Accounts are numbered with four digits (e.g. 1020 = Bank, 2000 = Suppliers, 3000 = Turnover).

VAT accounts

The Swiss chart of accounts includes dedicated accounts for VAT, notably:

1170 — Input tax on purchases of goods
1171 — Input tax on investments and other charges
2200 — VAT payable (effective method)
2201 — Tax on acquisitions

These accounts are directly used to generate the quarterly FTA VAT return.

Swiss context

The Code of Obligations (CO), revised in 2012 (entering into force in 2013), strengthened accounting obligations for Swiss companies. It requires regular bookkeeping, the preparation of annual accounts (balance sheet, income statement, notes) and their retention for 10 years. For companies whose turnover exceeds CHF 500,000, enhanced accounting standards apply.

Switzerland also has higher accounting standards for larger companies: Swiss GAAP FER (for medium to large companies) and IFRS (for listed companies). SMEs generally use only CO accounting law.

How Neoffice provides it

Neoffice is delivered with the Swiss SME chart of accounts (veb.ch) pre-configured. From the moment the company is created in the ERP, the 200+ standard accounts are available and VAT mappings are already in place. Fiduciaries will find a familiar structure and can directly import entries into their review tool.