Here are the most important trends in accounting that are currently gaining in importance both in Switzerland and internationally:
1. automation & artificial intelligence
- Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Routine activities such as bookings, reconciliations or simple checks are automated.
- AI-supported analytics: systems recognize patterns, generate reports and forecast risks or liquidity developments.
- Fewer manual errors, greater efficiency.
2. digitization & cloud accounting
- More and more companies are relying on cloud-based accounting systems (e.g. Abacus, Bexio, Sage).
- Real-time access to data is becoming the norm - also for external auditors, trustees and CFOs.
- Mobile apps and dashboards enable location-independent working and live control.
3. data analytics & business intelligence
- The focus is shifting from pure reporting to data interpretation and decision support.
- Controlling and accounting are growing together, especially in SMEs and start-ups.
- Data literacy is becoming a key qualification for accountants.
4. sustainability reporting (ESG)
- Companies must increasingly disclose non-financial information (carbon footprint, social & governance data).
- From 2025, the pressure will increase massively due to EU requirements (CSRD) and Swiss ESG requirements.
- Accounting is becoming more strategically and regulatory integrated.
5. skills shortage & upskilling
- We are not just looking for accountants - but accounting professionals with an understanding of IT and analysis.
- Many companies invest in training and upskilling their finance departments (e.g. in SAP, DATEV, Microsoft Power BI).
- The job description is also changing: from accountant to business partner.
6 Regulatory changes
- New accounting standards (e.g. IFRS 18) and local adjustments require ongoing adjustments.
- Tax accounting is moving more into focus due to OECD minimum tax and new offsetting rules.
Conclusion
Modern accounting is becoming more digital, more analytical, more sustainable - and increasingly requires interdisciplinary skills. If you want to be successful in the industry today, you need to understand technologies and business models as well as figures.
André Batterman / CEO
