Buchhaltung in der Schweiz—simple bookkeeping
for freelancers (and small businesses)

If you’re self-employed in Switzerland, bookkeeping can feel like a mix of Milchbüechli, admin overload, and “I’ll ask a Treuhänder later.” The good news: for many freelancers and micro-businesses, Swiss bookkeeping can be straightforward—when you have a clear workflow and Swiss-ready tools (QR invoices, CHF, VAT/MWST rates, and clean exports).

This guide explains how bookkeeping in Switzerland works, what you should track, what it typically costs (DIY vs. trustee), and how Magic Heidi helps you handle Buchhaltung Schweiz in a simple, modern way—without switching to an enterprise suite before you need it.

Note: This page provides general information, not legal or tax advice. Requirements can vary by legal form, turnover, and VAT status.

Do you need double-entry bookkeeping in Switzerland?

It depends on your legal form, size, and obligations.

Simple bookkeeping (income/expense ledger)

Many self-employed people start with a straightforward system: track income, expenses, and keep receipts. This can be enough for small operations—especially early on.

Double-entry bookkeeping

As you grow (or if your business structure/requirements demand it), double-entry bookkeeping becomes relevant because it provides:

• A full balance sheet view (assets, liabilities)
• Cleaner year-end closing workflows
• More robust reporting and control

Practical takeaway: Start with a tool that matches your current needs and doesn’t block you from collaborating with a trustee later.

A simple Swiss bookkeeping workflow (that actually works)

If you want bookkeeping to stay under control, aim for a repeatable weekly/monthly routine:

Step 1: Create invoices the Swiss way (QR-bill)

Use a system that supports QR invoices and CHF by default. This reduces payment friction and avoids manual formatting.

Step 2: Capture expenses as you go

Instead of collecting receipts in a shoe box:

• Scan or photograph receipts
• Assign categories
• Attach documents to transactions

Modern tools increasingly include OCR/AI-style scanning so you spend less time typing.

Step 3: Keep VAT in mind (if applicable)

If you’re VAT-registered:

• Record whether each invoice/expense includes VAT
• Track VAT totals consistently throughout the year (not just at filing time)

Step 4: Reconcile and review monthly

Once a month:

• Check unpaid invoices
• Review expense categories
• Make sure documents are attached

Step 5: Export for your trustee (Treuhänder) when needed

At quarter-end or year-end, export your data so your trustee can:

• Validate your books
• Prepare financial statements (where applicable)
• Support tax and VAT filing

What does bookkeeping cost in Switzerland?

Costs vary widely—but Swiss buyers expect transparency. Here’s a realistic overview.

1) Accounting software costs (typical ranges)

Swiss bookkeeping software is often priced as a monthly subscription. Expect roughly:

• Entry-level / single-user tools: ~CHF 10–30/month
• All-in-one SME suites: often higher, depending on modules/users
• Desktop subscriptions: sometimes billed annually (e.g., CHF/year plans)

The key is not just price—it’s fit: QR billing, Swiss VAT support, export for trustee, and ease of use.

2) Treuhänder / fiduciary bookkeeping costs (typical ranges)

Trustee pricing is usually:

• Hourly, often roughly CHF 95–180+ per hour depending on region and seniority
• Monthly packages, often based on:
  • number of bookings/transactions
  • VAT filing frequency
  • payroll headcount
  • year-end closing complexity

Some firms publicly announce rate adjustments (including changes effective in 2026), which is a reminder to budget for gradual increases over time.

3) What drives your total cost the most

Whether you DIY or outsource, these factors typically drive cost:

• Number of invoices + expense receipts per month
• VAT registration and reporting complexity
• Payroll (employees, AHV/AVS-related processes, etc.)
• How organized your documents are (messy inputs cost money)

If you want lower trustee costs: use software to keep receipts clean, categorized, and attached—so your trustee reviews instead of reconstructs.

Why Magic Heidi fits “Buchhaltung Schweiz” intent

You get a practical, Swiss-first setup for day-to-day admin:

• Invoice fast (including Swiss QR invoices)
  Create professional invoices that match how Swiss customers pay.
• Track income and expenses without heavy accounting complexity
  Keep a clear overview of what’s coming in and what’s going out—without building an enterprise finance department.
• Swiss VAT/MWST support
  Stay organized for VAT reporting with Swiss-ready handling (especially important once you register).
• Expense scanning and automation
  Use scanning/OCR-style workflows so receipts don’t pile up.
• Work across devices
  Built for modern work: handle tasks on web/desktop/mobile depending on your routine.
• Collaborate with your trustee (Treuhänder)
  Keep your data exportable and reviewable—so you can DIY day-to-day and still get professional help when it matters.
• Swiss hosting + multilingual support
  Switzerland runs on trust. Having Swiss context and support (including French for Romandie) matters.

Who Magic Heidi is best for (and when you might want something else)

Magic Heidi is ideal if you are…

• A freelancer / independent professional (Einzelfirma, Einzelunternehmer)
• A micro-business that wants QR invoicing + simple bookkeeping
• Someone who wants to start DIY and optionally bring in a trustee later
• Switching from spreadsheets or a tool that’s too complex for your needs

You might prefer a heavier suite if you…

• Need deep inventory/warehousing workflows
• Have complex multi-entity structures
• Require advanced enterprise approvals and custom accounting processes

Many businesses start simple and only upgrade complexity once operations demand it.

Pricing: keep it predictable

Swiss founders are price-sensitive—and Swiss SaaS pricing changes do happen across the market. That’s why predictable, transparent pricing is a key decision factor.

Magic Heidi is positioned as a straightforward subscription (monthly or annual), so you can budget confidently and avoid paying for modules you don’t need.

Next step: choose a plan, set up QR invoicing, and build a monthly routine you can keep.

Call to action: start your Swiss bookkeeping setup now

If your goal is to stop worrying about admin and get a clean system in place:

• Create your first QR invoice
• Capture expenses with scanning
• Stay ready for VAT/MWST
• Export cleanly for your Treuhänder

Start with Magic Heidi and turn “Buchhaltung Schweiz” into a simple monthly routine.

CTA: Try Magic Heidi now and set up invoicing + bookkeeping in under an hour.

Summary: “Buchhaltung Schweiz” doesn’t have to be complicated

Swiss bookkeeping becomes manageable when you:

• invoice correctly (QR),
• capture expenses with receipts,
• stay VAT-ready (if applicable),
• and keep everything exportable for a trustee.

Magic Heidi is built for exactly that: Swiss-first, freelancer-friendly bookkeeping that stays simple—without limiting you later.