Fiduciary in Geneva: accounting, taxation and company formation

What is a fiduciary in Switzerland?

A fiduciary (French: fiduciaire, German: Treuhand) is a professional firm that provides financial, accounting and administrative services to businesses and individuals. In Switzerland, fiduciary companies play a central role in the business ecosystem. They act as trusted intermediaries between entrepreneurs and the complex regulatory landscape of Swiss federal, cantonal and communal taxation, corporate law and social insurance systems.

Unlike in some countries where accountants focus primarily on bookkeeping, Swiss fiduciaries typically offer a much broader range of services. A full-service fiduciary like AX-Fiduciaire handles everything from the initial company registration and structuring, through ongoing accounting and annual financial statements, to tax planning and compliance, payroll management, and even business advisory services.

For businesses operating in the Canton of Geneva, having a local fiduciary is especially valuable. Geneva has its own cantonal tax laws, specific requirements for commercial register filings, and unique economic incentives. A Geneva-based fiduciary understands these local regulations intimately and can help businesses take advantage of opportunities while ensuring full compliance with all applicable rules and deadlines.

The role of a fiduciary extends beyond mere number-crunching. A good fiduciary serves as a strategic business adviser, helping clients make informed decisions about their corporate structure, tax strategy, investment timing and growth planning. At AX-Fiduciaire, we take this advisory role seriously, positioning ourselves as long-term partners in our clients' success rather than simply service providers.

Detailed overview of our fiduciary services

Company formation in Switzerland

Forming a company in Switzerland involves navigating a series of legal, administrative and regulatory steps. At AX-Fiduciaire, we manage the entire process on your behalf. For an LLC (Sàrl/GmbH), this includes drafting the articles of association, coordinating with the notary for the founding deed, opening a capital deposit account at a Swiss bank, filing the registration with the Geneva commercial register, obtaining your company's unique IDE/UID number, and completing initial tax registrations with both cantonal and federal authorities.

We advise on the optimal legal structure based on your business goals, the number of shareholders, liability considerations, tax implications and future growth plans. Whether you are forming a simple sole proprietorship or a complex holding structure, our team ensures that every step is completed efficiently and in full compliance with Swiss law. The typical timeline from initial consultation to receiving your official commercial register extract is two to three weeks for standard formations.

Accounting and bookkeeping

Our accounting services are designed to give business owners peace of mind and clear financial visibility. We handle day-to-day bookkeeping, process invoices and expenses, reconcile bank statements, prepare quarterly VAT returns and produce annual financial statements in accordance with Swiss GAAP (OR 957 ff.). Our monthly packages include a fixed number of transactions, ensuring predictable costs.

As an official Odoo partner, we offer clients the option of an integrated ERP system that combines accounting with invoicing, inventory management, CRM and HR modules. This digital-first approach provides real-time access to your financial data, automated bank reconciliation and seamless collaboration between your team and ours. For clients using other platforms such as Bexio, Abacus or Crésus, we are equally proficient and flexible.

Tax advisory and compliance

Swiss taxation is complex, with three levels of government (federal, cantonal and communal) each levying their own taxes. In the Canton of Geneva, corporate tax rates, personal income tax brackets, wealth tax and property taxes all require careful planning. Our tax specialists prepare corporate and personal tax returns, advise on tax-efficient structures, handle VAT registration and quarterly filings, manage withholding tax declarations for foreign shareholders, and assist with tax rulings where appropriate.

For international clients, we navigate double taxation agreements (DTAs), transfer pricing regulations and cross-border reporting obligations such as CRS (Common Reporting Standard) and FATCA. Our aim is always to ensure full compliance while legally minimising your overall tax burden through proven optimisation strategies.

Payroll management

Managing payroll in Switzerland requires precise knowledge of social insurance contributions (AVS/AHV, AI/IV, APG/EO, unemployment insurance), accident insurance (LAA/UVG), occupational pension (LPP/BVG) and withholding tax calculations for foreign employees. We handle all of this, producing compliant payslips each month, filing quarterly and annual social insurance declarations, and issuing annual salary certificates.

We also assist with work permit applications for foreign employees, ensuring smooth coordination with the cantonal labour market office (OCIRT in Geneva). Whether you have one employee or fifty, our payroll service is scaled to match your needs at a competitive per-slip rate.

Domiciliation services

Our domiciliation service provides companies with a professional business address in the heart of Geneva, on Boulevard Georges-Favon. This is particularly valuable for foreign companies entering the Swiss market, entrepreneurs who work remotely, or businesses that want a prestigious Geneva address without the cost of maintaining a full office. The service includes mail handling and forwarding, an optional dedicated telephone number with answering service, and access to meeting rooms for client meetings.

Why choose AX-Fiduciaire?

Local expertise in Geneva

Located in the heart of Geneva at Boulevard Georges-Favon 26, 1204 Geneva, we know the Geneva economic ecosystem inside out. We understand the cantonal tax regulations, the local commercial register procedures, the specific requirements of Geneva-based social insurance offices and the unique business culture of this international city. We support start-ups and established SMEs alike, from sole proprietors to subsidiaries of international groups.

Transparent and competitive pricing

No surprises: all our prices are published on our website and our quotes are detailed. You know exactly what is included and what is not. Our monthly accounting plans include a defined number of entries, the annual tax return and a dedicated contact person. We believe transparency builds trust, which is why we publish our rates openly and provide detailed breakdowns of every quote. View our full pricing.

Official Odoo ERP partner

We are the official Odoo partner for French-speaking Switzerland. This means we can integrate your accounting, invoicing, inventory management, CRM and HR into a single, powerful ERP system. For growing SMEs, this integration eliminates data silos, reduces manual entry errors and provides real-time business intelligence. Our team handles the full implementation, from initial configuration and data migration to staff training and ongoing support.

Multilingual team

Our team speaks six languages: French, English, German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. In Geneva, one of the most international cities in the world, this linguistic range is essential. We support expatriates setting up businesses, international companies establishing Swiss subsidiaries, and local firms with cross-border operations. Whatever your language preference, we communicate clearly and professionally.

Personalised, dedicated service

Every client is assigned a dedicated contact person who knows their business inside out. You will not be passed from one anonymous call centre agent to another. Your dedicated adviser understands your industry, your history and your goals. This continuity of relationship is fundamental to delivering truly valuable fiduciary services.

Digital-first approach

We embrace technology to make your life easier. Secure document sharing portals, automated bank reconciliation, digital signature workflows and real-time financial dashboards mean you always have access to your data, wherever you are. Our digital-first philosophy reduces turnaround times and ensures accuracy across all our services.

Why Geneva for your business?

Geneva is one of the world's leading business centres, renowned for its political stability, strong legal framework, highly skilled workforce and exceptional quality of life. As the European headquarters of the United Nations, the seat of the World Trade Organisation, the World Health Organisation and numerous other international organisations, Geneva offers unparalleled access to global networks and decision-makers.

The Canton of Geneva provides a favourable business environment with competitive corporate tax rates, a well-developed financial services sector, excellent infrastructure and a central European location with Geneva International Airport connecting to major cities worldwide. The canton actively supports innovation and entrepreneurship through various economic promotion programmes and incentives.

Geneva's bilingual character (French and English are widely used in business) makes it an ideal gateway for international companies entering the Swiss and European markets. The city's cosmopolitan population, with over 40% of residents being foreign nationals, creates a diverse and dynamic business ecosystem that welcomes entrepreneurs from around the world.

Key industries in Geneva include finance and banking, commodity trading, watchmaking and luxury goods, life sciences and biotechnology, information technology and international trade. Whatever your sector, Geneva provides the infrastructure, talent pool and business environment needed for success.

Geneva in key figures

Our office and how to reach us

Our Geneva office is situated at Boulevard Georges-Favon 26, 1204 Geneva, in the Plainpalais district, one of the most central and accessible areas of the city. The office is located just minutes from the Plainpalais tram stop (lines 12, 15 and 17) and is easily accessible from Geneva Cornavin central railway station.

By public transport, take tram 15 from Cornavin station towards Palettes and alight at Cirque. Our office is a one-minute walk from the stop. Alternatively, bus lines 1 and 4 stop at nearby Place du Cirque. For clients arriving by car, public parking is available at the Parking de Plainpalais, located approximately 200 metres from our office.

We welcome clients by appointment Monday through Friday between 9:00 and 18:00. We are also happy to arrange meetings outside standard hours for clients with demanding schedules. Video conference meetings are available for clients who prefer remote consultations.

We also have an office in Lausanne for clients based in the Canton of Vaud.