Optimal payroll management for SMEs and startups in Switzerland: THE complete guide 📚

In Switzerland, SMEs and startups have two main options for managing their payroll: working with an accountant or managing it internally. This guide aims to clarify the processes involved in both methods.

The path of the accountant 🧮

Hiring an accountant means outsourcing your payroll process, but this does not necessarily reduce your workload. You are still responsible for compiling all payroll-related information and reporting any changes, such as allowances, expenses, or life events, such as the birth of a child.

Unfortunately, this communication is often done via email or PDF. The accountant will then manually enter the data into their payroll software. This process may involve an enterprise solution such as Abacus or Microsoft Dynamics, to which SMEs will not have direct access.

In some cases, more user-friendly payroll solutions such as Bexio or Klara can be used. But even with these tools, SMEs often need the help of an accountant to set up and manage payroll processes, especially when it comes to complex situations such as insurance reimbursements or hiring a new employee with a B permit.

One crucial aspect to note is that every time you hire your accountant, the clock is ticking. Fees can range from $35 to $60 per employee per month, not including additional costs such as business setup, employee onboarding, or payroll changes. These expenses are in addition to the costs associated with using payroll software.

The DIY (Do It Yourself) approach 👨‍💻

The alternative to hiring an accountant is to manage payroll internally. However, this option requires a good understanding of insurance policies, payroll software, and the ability to identify the appropriate salary type for each unique situation.

To set up your own payroll system, you need:

1. Company information (UID number, legal form, address, etc.)
2. Accident insurance policies
3. Daily health insurance policies
4. Supplementary insurance policy (optional)
5. Retirement policy
6. Employee information for each employee
7. Company policies (working hours, vacations, etc.)

Once you have gathered all this information, you should choose SwissDec-certified payroll software to ensure the accuracy of your payroll calculations. Examples of SwissDec payroll software include Bexio, Klara, and our backend product Mega SalariesEarny.

Simplify your payroll with Earny

Whether SMEs decide to outsource their payroll to an external provider or manage it themselves, they inevitably spend a lot of time setting up and monitoring their payroll. At Earny, we believe that this time could be better spent growing your business.

Our vision is based on a simple payroll setup and an automated system in which employees report their changes, which are seamlessly integrated into the next payroll cycle. We aim to reduce the administrative burden of payroll management for SMEs, startups, and accountants.

With Earny your payroll provider, you can spend more time on your core business, confident that your payroll management is accurate, efficient, and compliant.

The future of payroll is bright with Earny. If you're interested, follow us on LinkedIn or contact us to be part of the revolution. 🌟