Best accounting software in Switzerland + Top 5 (2024)

Whether you are a freelance entrepreneur or the owner of a small business, choosing the right accounting software is crucial for your business.

Accounting software can help you track your finances, create invoices, manage your bank transactions, and prepare your tax returns.

With so many options available on the market, it can be tough to know which software to choose. Karpeo CPAs are here to help.

Compare the features of accounting programs

Once you have determined your needs, you need to compare the features offered by different accounting software.

There is a variety of features, such as Swiss salary management, stock management, project management, invoicing, etc. You need to choose software that offers the features you need.

Keep in mind that the more features software offers, the more expensive it will be. Therefore, it’s important to find the right balance between features and cost.

Ensure the program is compatible with your business applications

When selecting accounting software, it’s crucial to ensure it’s compatible with your other applications.

For instance, if you use payroll management software, you must verify that your accounting software can synchronize with it. If you use inventory management software, you need to ensure your accounting software can import and export data to and from it.

If you work with a trust company or an accountant, you also need to ensure that your accounting software can export data in a format that can be imported into your accountant’s software.

Check user reviews

It’s important to look at user reviews before choosing accounting software. Reviews can give you an idea of users’ experiences with the software, its pros and cons, and any potential issues users have encountered.

Reviews can also help you identify software that has compatibility, security, or reliability problems.

Pricing and costs of the chosen accounting solution

Price is obviously an important factor when choosing accounting software. It’s important to consider the associated costs of the software, such as monthly subscription fees, training costs, technical support costs, updates, installation fees, etc.

Compare the prices of different accounting software to find one that fits your budget.

Technical support and assistance

Finally, you should consider the level of technical support offered by the software provider. Technical support is important if you encounter problems with your accounting software.

Look for accounting software that offers technical support via phone, email, or live chat. Make sure that the technical support is available during normal working hours and that it’s effective.

Comparison of the Top 5 accounting software for SMEs in Switzerland

We asked our accounting experts to compile a list of the top 5 accounting software for businesses in Switzerland. Here are the results :

1 – Bexio : the accounting program for small enterprises

Bexio is accounting software specially designed for small businesses, sole proprietors, and freelancers.

It allows you to automate the management of your accounting to the maximum. Bexio is cloud-based, meaning you can access it from any device connected to the internet. It offers powerful and comprehensive financial tools, as well as quality assistance. Bexio enables you to manage your clients, process your orders, record your accounting transactions, and send invoices.

The only downside is that you’ll need a trust company to check your accounts and the costs of such services can quickly increase if your accounting was not very well kept.

2 – Cresus : the simplest accounting software

Cresus is a Swiss accounting software designed to meet the needs of SMEs, small and medium-sized industries (SMIs), and freelancers in Switzerland.

This software is very user-friendly and well adapted to Swiss legislation. It offers numerous features such as budget management, trial balance, and chart of accounts, as well as automations and customizations to better manage your accounting. Cresus is available on PC, Mac, and Linux operating systems.

3 – Sage : the most well-known accounting software

Sage is one of the most popular and recognized accounting solutions in the business world.

It offers a wide range of software to meet the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as mid-sized companies looking to improve their accounting management. Although Sage software is very comprehensive and powerful, it may require some time to master.

However, Sage’s automated tools can assist you in analyzing your accounts, managing your cash flow, the working hours of your employees, your tax obligations, and managing your data on the cloud.

4 – Winbiz : the most popular in French-speaking Switzerland

Winbiz is an affordable and easy-to-use accounting solution designed primarily for small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and freelancers in Switzerland. It faced some technical issues recently but still is sufficiently complete to appear on this list.

With Winbiz, you can manage all the financial aspects of your business, such as invoicing, payments, VAT, salaries, and accounting. The software is specially adapted to the Swiss market and supports the new Swiss QR-bills. Once you get the hang of Winbiz, it is very easy to use to manage your business.

5 – Office Maker : the accounting program for Mac OS

Office Maker is a Swiss company that offers management solutions in the fields of finance, commerce, and human resources.

They specialize in accounting software for Mac computers. What sets Office Maker apart from other companies is the user-friendly interface of their software. The software offers a pleasant and efficient user experience for all your management operations.

Questions to ask when choosing the best accounting solution

What is accounting software ?

Accounting software is a computer tool that manages a company’s finances. It keeps the company’s accounts up to date, creates invoices, manages bank transactions, prepares tax returns, etc.

Why do businesses need accounting software ?

Businesses need accounting software to efficiently manage their finances. Accounting software tracks the company’s revenue and expenses, manages invoices, prepares tax returns, follows cash flow, etc. This allows businesses to make informed decisions about their management.

What are the benefits of accounting software for small businesses ?

Accounting software offers many benefits to small businesses. It saves time by automating accounting tasks, reduces errors, efficiently manages invoices and payments, tracks cash flow, easily prepares tax returns, and much more.

How to choose accounting software for a small business ?

To choose accounting software for a small business, it’s important to identify the business’s needs, compare the features offered by different software, check compatibility with other applications used by the business, verify the software’s security and reliability, consider the costs, and check the level of technical support offered.

What is the difference between online accounting software and desktop accounting software ?

Online accounting software is hosted on a remote server, while desktop accounting software is installed on a local computer. Online accounting software offers the advantage of easy access from anywhere and the ability to work with real-time data, while desktop accounting software offers greater security and can be used without an internet connection.

How to know if accounting software is suitable for my business ?

To determine if accounting software is suitable for your business, you need to identify your needs, compare the software’s features to your needs, check compatibility with your other applications, verify the software’s security and reliability, consider the costs, and check the level of technical support offered. By doing this, you will be able to choose accounting software that meets your business’s needs.

In conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the right accounting software can be a challenging process. By determining your needs, comparing features, checking compatibility, verifying security, consulting user reviews, considering the costs, and considering the level of technical support offered, you will be able to choose the best accounting software for your business.

The Karpeo team can assist you in this choice. Contact our accounting experts in Lausanne and Geneva to learn more.