Looking for a reliable and competent fiduciary for your company in Lausanne or the canton of Vaud? AX-Fiduciaire (Ark Fiduciaire SA) supports Vaud-based entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals and SMEs with a comprehensive range of fiduciary services: company formation, accounting, tax advisory, payroll management and domiciliation. Based in Geneva, just 45 minutes from Lausanne by train, our team of 9 professionals has thorough expertise in the canton of Vaud and offers fully digitalised support, accessible wherever you are.
This guide presents our services for Lausanne-based companies, the canton of Vaud specifics you need to know, our transparent pricing and the reasons to choose AX-Fiduciaire as your fiduciary partner in the Lake Geneva region.
Why Lausanne-based companies choose AX-Fiduciaire
The canton of Vaud is the third most populous canton in Switzerland and hosts a dynamic economic ecosystem, driven by EPFL, CHUV, the technology sector and a dense network of SMEs. Lausanne is experiencing strong growth, with a record number of company formations in recent years. In this context, Vaud-based entrepreneurs need a fiduciary partner who understands their specific challenges and offers quality service at competitive rates.
AX-Fiduciaire stands out with several concrete advantages for companies based in Lausanne and the canton of Vaud:
- Bi-cantonal Geneva-Vaud expertise: we work daily with clients in both cantons and master the tax, administrative and legal specifics of each. Whether you are deciding between Geneva and Vaud for your company, we advise you objectively on the most advantageous option.
- 100% digital collaboration: thanks to our Odoo platform and online collaboration tools, distance is no longer an obstacle. Submission of accounting documents by email or secure platform, real-time access to your accounts, video conferences with your dedicated accountant: everything is done online, without unnecessary travel.
- Transparent and competitive pricing: our pricing is published and identical for all clients, whether in Geneva, Lausanne, Nyon or Yverdon. No distance surcharge, no hidden travel costs.
- Team of 9 professionals: certified accountants, tax specialists, project managers. A dedicated contact person is assigned to each file to ensure continuity and in-depth knowledge of your business.
- Official Odoo partner: as the official Odoo partner for French-speaking Switzerland, we can implement and manage a complete ERP for your company, integrating accounting, invoicing, CRM, inventory management and human resources in a single system.
Our services and pricing for Lausanne-based companies
Company formation in the canton of Vaud
We support company formation in the canton of Vaud from A to Z: choice of legal form, drafting of articles of association, Vaud notary appointment, inscription in the canton of Vaud commercial register, bank account opening and accounting setup. We know the specific procedures of the Vaud commercial register and the requirements of the Cantonal Tax Administration (ACI).
| Formation service | AX-Fiduciaire fee | Included |
|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship | From CHF 900.- | Advice, CR application, AVS registration, VAT and insurance advice |
| LLC (Sarl) | From CHF 2,500.- | Custom articles of association, notary, CR, full support |
| Corporation (SA) | From CHF 3,500.- | Articles, board of directors, notary, CR, share register |
| Transformation / restructuring | On request | Sole prop to LLC, LLC to SA, merger, demerger |
The canton of Vaud has some specifics for company formation. Vaud notary fees range from CHF 500 to CHF 1,200 for an LLC. The canton of Vaud commercial register charges approximately CHF 600 for LLC inscription. For a detailed budget including all cost items, see our complete guide on company formation costs in Switzerland. Deciding between LLC and corporation? Our LLC vs Corporation comparison will help you make the right choice.
Accounting
Our accounting service is fully adapted to Vaud-based companies. We provide day-to-day bookkeeping in accordance with the Swiss Code of Obligations, quarterly VAT returns, annual closing, preparation of the balance sheet and income statement, configuration of the chart of accounts compliant with Swiss standards, and the tax return to the canton of Vaud Cantonal Tax Administration.
| Accounting plan | Monthly price | Included |
|---|---|---|
| Start-up | CHF 149.-/month | Up to 40 entries/month |
| Small Enterprise (SME) | CHF 229.-/month | Up to 80 entries/month, VAT, tax return |
| Medium Enterprise (ME) | CHF 349.-/month | Up to 150 entries/month, VAT, tax return, monthly reporting |
All plans include a dedicated contact person, real-time access to your accounts via Odoo, and the Vaud cantonal tax return. Rates are identical for Geneva and Vaud clients. For a market rate comparison, see our analysis: how much does an accountant cost in Switzerland.
Tax advisory
Our team of tax specialists supports you on all tax matters specific to the canton of Vaud. The tax return in the canton of Vaud has particularities that our team masters perfectly:
- Corporate tax return: taxable profit calculation, authorised deductions, capital tax, annexes required by the Cantonal Tax Administration (ACI). Electronic preparation and filing.
- Tax optimisation: analysis of your situation to identify legal optimisation opportunities. The canton of Vaud offers attractive instruments such as the patent box (reduction of up to 90% on intellectual property income) and the R&D super-deduction (up to 50% of research expenditure).
- VAT: registration with the FTA, quarterly or semi-annual returns, choice between effective method and net tax rate method (NTRM), input tax recovery.
- Withholding tax: management of declarations and refund applications to the FTA.
- Withholding tax on salaries: application of specific Vaud schedules for employees without C permits, monthly declarations to the canton of Vaud ACI.
- International taxation: double taxation agreements, transfer pricing, cross-border structures for Vaud companies active internationally.
| Tax service | Rate |
|---|---|
| Corporate tax return (if not included in accounting plan) | From CHF 500.- |
| Ad hoc tax advice | From CHF 250.- |
| Structure optimisation | On request |
| Tax ruling (advance ruling request) | On request |
Payroll management
We provide complete payroll management for Vaud-based companies: monthly payslips, social charges statements (AVS/AI/APG, LPP, LAA), annual salary certificates and work permit management. We apply the canton of Vaud specific contribution rates and Vaud withholding tax schedules.
| Payroll service | Rate |
|---|---|
| Monthly payslip | From CHF 29.-/slip |
| Annual salary certificate | Included |
| Social charges statements (AVS, LPP, LAA) | Included |
| Work permit management | From CHF 350.-/file |
Audit
For Vaud-based companies that have not opted for opting-out, we coordinate the audit of your accounts with approved auditors. If your company meets the opting-out conditions (it does not exceed two of the three thresholds: assets CHF 20M, revenue CHF 40M, 250 employees), we support you in implementing this waiver, saving you CHF 1,500 to 5,000 per year in audit fees.
Canton of Vaud specifics for companies
Vaud cantonal taxation in 2026
Since the TRAF tax reform that came into force in 2020, the canton of Vaud offers a particularly attractive tax framework for companies. The effective corporate income tax rate is approximately 14%, a rate comparable to Geneva and among the most competitive in French-speaking Switzerland. Here are the main Vaud tax parameters for 2026:
| Tax element | Rate / Amount (VD 2026) |
|---|---|
| Corporate tax rate (effective) | ~14% |
| Capital tax | 0.04% to 0.06% |
| Patent box (reduction on IP income) | Up to 90% reduction |
| R&D super-deduction | Up to 50% of expenditure |
| Family allowances (employer contribution) | 2.28% |
| Child allowance | CHF 300/month |
| Education allowance | CHF 400/month |
The canton of Vaud offers particularly advantageous instruments for innovative companies. The patent box allows a reduction of up to 90% in taxation on income generated by patents and intellectual property rights. The R&D super-deduction authorises an additional deduction of up to 50% of research and development expenditure carried out in Switzerland. These measures make the canton of Vaud a destination of choice for technology companies and EPFL spin-offs.
Vaud economic ecosystem
Lausanne and the canton of Vaud benefit from a remarkable economic ecosystem that attracts new entrepreneurs each year:
- Innovation and technology: EPFL is one of the top technology campuses in Europe, generating more than 30 spin-offs per year. The EPFL Innovation Park hosts over 300 innovative companies and constitutes a genuine European technology hub.
- Life sciences: the canton of Vaud is home to numerous companies in health, biotechnology and medtech, supported by CHUV, the University of Lausanne and numerous world-renowned research laboratories.
- Food industry: the Lake Geneva region is a global centre for the food industry, with the headquarters of Nestle in Vevey and numerous SMEs in the sector.
- International sport: Lausanne is the Olympic capital, home to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and more than 50 international sports federations. This concentration generates a unique economic ecosystem around sport.
- Quality of life: regularly ranked among the world's most pleasant cities, Lausanne attracts highly qualified international talent who contribute to the region's economic dynamism.
Accessibility and transport
Lausanne benefits from an ideal geographical location on the shores of Lake Geneva. Lausanne station is a major railway hub: Paris in 3h40 by TGV, Geneva in 35 minutes, Zurich in 2h10. Geneva International Airport is accessible in 45 minutes by train. The M2 metro, Switzerland's only fully automated metro, and the TL bus network provide efficient urban mobility. This accessibility facilitates business and professional travel.
Social charges specific to the canton of Vaud
Vaud employers must register with an AVS compensation fund in the canton of Vaud. Contribution rates are largely identical throughout Switzerland, but some cantonal specifics exist. Here is a summary of social charges for a Vaud-based company in 2026:
| Contribution | Employer share | Employee share | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVS / AI / APG | 5.30% | 5.30% | 10.60% |
| Unemployment insurance (AC) | 1.10% | 1.10% | 2.20% |
| Family allowances (VD) | 2.28% | -- | 2.28% |
| LAA (occupational accident) | ~0.80% | -- | ~0.80% |
| LAANP (non-occupational accident) | -- | ~1.50% | ~1.50% |
| LPP (pension, age 35-44) | 5.00% min. | 5.00% min. | 10.00% |
The most notable difference compared to Geneva concerns the family allowance rate: 2.28% in the canton of Vaud versus 2.45% in Geneva. The child allowance is CHF 300/month in the canton of Vaud (vs CHF 311 in Geneva) and the education allowance is CHF 400/month (vs CHF 415 in Geneva). For a complete breakdown of all contributions, see our 2026 social charges guide.
Geneva or Vaud: where to establish your company?
If you are deciding between the two cantons for forming your company, here are the key elements to consider for an informed choice:
| Criterion | Geneva | Vaud |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate tax rate | ~14% | ~14% |
| International image | Very strong | Strong |
| Tech / innovation ecosystem | Strong | Very strong (EPFL) |
| Office rents | High | More moderate |
| R&D super-deduction | Yes | Yes (very generous) |
| International airport | Direct (GVA) | Via Geneva (45 min) |
| Family allowances | 2.45% | 2.28% |
| AX-Fiduciaire domiciliation | From CHF 99/month | Via partners |
In summary, both cantons offer similar tax conditions and a high-quality business environment. Geneva is preferred for its international image, financial ecosystem and airport. Vaud is ideal for technology companies, EPFL spin-offs and companies seeking more moderate rents. In both cases, AX-Fiduciaire is your fiduciary partner for all your needs, with the same quality of service and the same rates.
How to work with AX-Fiduciaire from Lausanne
Our collaboration process with Lausanne and Vaud clients is simple, smooth and fully digitalised:
- First contact: call us at +41 22 566 84 21 or fill in our request form. The first 30-minute consultation is free and without obligation, by phone or video conference.
- Assessment and quote: we analyse your situation and specific needs, then send you a personalised and detailed quote within 24 hours. Pricing is transparent, with no surprises and no surcharge for clients outside Geneva.
- Setup: once the quote is accepted, we assign your dedicated contact person, configure your Odoo platform access and set up workflows (accounting document submission, reporting, tax and social deadline calendar).
- Day-to-day management: we manage your accounting, payroll and tax obligations on a daily basis. You have real-time access to your accounts and can reach your dedicated accountant by email, phone or video conference at any time during business hours.
- In-person meetings: if you wish to meet in person, we can receive you at our offices at Boulevard Georges-Favon 26 in Geneva (35 minutes by train from Lausanne) or arrange a meeting in Lausanne upon request.
Business sectors we support in Lausanne
Our experience covers a wide range of business sectors represented in the Lausanne region:
- Technology and digital: deeptech, fintech, edtech, cybersecurity startups from the EPFL ecosystem or attracted by the region's dynamism. We understand the specific challenges of startups in their seed phase: burn rate, fundraising, stock options, Innosuisse grant accounting.
- Life sciences: biotech, medtech, pharma. Specific accounting (R&D, intangible assets, grants), adapted taxation (patent box, R&D deductions).
- Business services: consulting, audit, law, recruitment, communications. Fee management, invoicing, time and project tracking.
- Retail and e-commerce: inventory management, VAT on online sales, multi-currency accounting for internationally active companies.
- Hospitality and catering: sector-specific accounting, reduced VAT rates, tip management, seasonal contracts and work permits.
- Self-employed and liberal professions: lawyers, doctors, architects, consultants. Simplified or double-entry accounting, personal and professional tax returns, self-employed AVS contributions.
Our contact details
| Legal name | Ark Fiduciaire SA (AX-Fiduciaire) |
| Address | Boulevard Georges-Favon 26, 1204 Geneva |
| Phone | +41 22 566 84 21 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 9am - 6pm |
| Service area | Geneva, Lausanne, Vaud, all of French-speaking Switzerland |
Do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your needs. Whether you are in Lausanne, Morges, Nyon, Yverdon-les-Bains, Montreux, Vevey or elsewhere in the canton of Vaud, we are your trusted fiduciary partner. See also our fiduciary in Geneva page for an overview of our services and team, or our fiduciary in Switzerland page for our national coverage.