1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. Continuing education
  3. CAS
  4. Business Research
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Accounting in Switzerland for International Professionals and Expats

Develop the accounting and reporting expertise needed to succeed in Switzerland. Gain practical skills in Swiss CO, Swiss GAAP FER and IFRS for accounting, controlling, reporting and finance roles.

Switzerland offers attractive career opportunities for finance and accounting professionals. However, many international candidates face challenges when entering the Swiss labour market because they are unfamiliar with Swiss accounting standards and reporting requirements.

This CAS provides a practical introduction to Swiss accounting and financial reporting. Participants gain a comprehensive understanding of Swiss Code of Obligations (Swiss CO), Swiss GAAP FER and IFRS and learn how these standards are applied in Swiss companies. The programme combines technical expertise with practical case studies and real-world business applications.

You will:

  • Understand Swiss CO, Swiss GAAP FER and IFRS in a practical business context.
  • Develop accounting and reporting skills relevant for the Swiss labour market.
  • Analyse and prepare financial statements under Swiss and international standards.
  • Strengthen your profile for positions in accounting, controlling, reporting and finance.

Why attend?

  • Build Swiss accounting expertise demanded by employers.
  • Increase employability in finance and controlling positions.
  • Understand Swiss reporting requirements and business practices.
  • Gain practical skills immediately applicable in professional settings.
  • Expand your professional network within the Swiss finance community.

Factsheet

  • Degree/Certificate Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)
  • Duration 18 teaching days
  • Schedule schedule follows shortly
    8 Online Sessions + 1 week on-campus in Zurich + Self-Study
  • Application deadline 6 weeks prior to the start, if places are available, later registration is possible.
  • ECTS credits 12 ECTS-Credits
  • Costs CHF 8,500
  • Teaching language Englisch
  • Location online and on-campus
  • School Business School
  • Next session Autumn 2026

Contacts

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Content + Structure

Portrait

This CAS provides international professionals with a comprehensive understanding of Swiss accounting and financial reporting requirements. The programme focuses on Swiss Code of Obligations (Swiss CO), Swiss GAAP FER and IFRS while emphasising practical application and real-world business scenarios.

Participants learn how Swiss companies prepare financial statements, evaluate accounting issues, perform financial analysis and communicate financial information to internal and external stakeholders. Through interactive online sessions, practical workshops and an intensive on-campus week in Zurich, participants develop the skills required for accounting, controlling, financial reporting and audit roles within the Swiss market.

Unique Features

  • Specifically designed for international professionals and expatriates
  • Fully taught in English
  • Swiss CO, Swiss GAAP FER and IFRS in one integrated programme
  • Hybrid format combining flexibility and practical application
  • Intensive on-campus case-study week in Zurich
  • Direct relevance for accounting, finance, controlling and reporting careers in Switzerland

Learning objectives

Upon successful completion of the programme, you will:

  • Understand Swiss accounting standards and reporting requirements.
  • Apply Swiss CO, Swiss GAAP FER and IFRS in practice.
  • Analyse financial statements prepared under different accounting standards.
  • Evaluate accounting treatments and valuation decisions.
  • Understand consolidated financial statements and group reporting.
  • Communicate financial information effectively to stakeholders.

Modules 1 – 8

  • Swiss CO, Swiss GAAP FER and IFRS
  • Financial Reporting and Disclosures
  • Hidden Reserves, Valuation and Accounting Policies
  • Recognition, Measurement and Reporting Issues
  • Group Reporting and Consolidation
  • Financial Analysis, KPIs and Performance Measurement
  • Governance, Audit and Tax Implications
  • ESG, Digitalisation and AI in Finance

On-Campus Week (Zurich)

  • Synoptical Case Studies under Swiss CO, Swiss GAAP FER and IFRS
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Group Reporting and Consolidation Cases
  • Accounting Policy Decisions
  • Reporting and Disclosure Challenges
  • Transfer of Knowledge into Swiss Business Practice

Self-Study

  • Preparation Readings
  • Annual Report Analysis
  • Case Preparation
  • Transfer Project

The programme combines interactive online learning, practical exercises, case studies and an intensive on-campus week in Zurich.

The emphasis is on application rather than memorisation. Participants work on realistic business cases, reporting challenges and financial statement analyses similar to those encountered in Swiss companies.

Transfer report

  • Participants apply the acquired knowledge to a practical accounting, reporting or controlling challenge from their own professional environment.

We offer short, free learning courses for all students on our CAS programmes. With these offers, we would like to support you in successfully and sustainably completing your CAS.

Effective learning in continuing education at universities of applied sciences (WLF)

You will familiarise yourself with transfer-oriented learning models and techniques. You will reflect on your own learning biography and be encouraged to try out new learning behaviour (online teaching).

Transfer report workshop (WTB)

You will be supported in writing your report and benefit from active peer counselling. You present your unfinished work in progress and receive feedback from the audience as well as from a specialist (face-to-face realisation planned).

Methodology transfer report (MTB)

You will get to know and understand the exact task of a transfer report. We will teach you the quality criteria for writing a good report.

The methodology transfer report is compulsory for all CAS students (including UNI, FH, PH and ETH graduates). Voluntary only for those students who have already attended this course or are taking courses in which no transfer or research report is written.

Our lecturers are recognised experts with sound practical and theoretical knowledge. They have a university degree and many years of experience in adult education.

  • Prof. Dr. Robert Gutsche
  • Dr. Stephan Gossner
  • Roland Ruprecht
  • Dr. Marc Sager
  • Prof. Dr. Gianfranco Siciliano

Admission requirements

If you have a professional background in accounting, finance, controlling, audit or related field and you want to dive into Swiss Accounting, then our CAS is the right programme for you.

Typical participants are: 

  • International Professionals working in Switzerland
  • Expatriates seeking careers in accounting and finance
  • Financial or Business Controllers
  • FP&A Professionals
  • Auditors and Consultants
  • Finance Managers
  • Accounting Professionals transitioning into the Swiss market

Conditions of admission

University degree

You will be admitted to the programme with a degree from a university, university of applied sciences, university of teacher education, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, or an equivalent foreign university and at least two years of professional experience.

Higher vocational training

If you have a qualification from a higher vocational education institution (Diploma Höhere Fachschule HF, Federal Diploma, Federal Certificate of Proficiency) and several years of professional experience, you will also be admitted to the programme. However, you will be required to attend our Introduction to Academic Study before starting the CAS. Completion of this module is a prerequisite for admission to the CAS.

Exceptions

In exceptional circumstances applicants may still  be admitted. The head of the degree programme will make a decision based upon your application and extenuating circumstances. Please contact us. If you are admitted, you will in any case attend the course «Introduction to Academic Writing» (in German) before the first CAS.

Specific requirements

Professional experience in accounting, finance, controlling, audit or related fields.

Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) Bern University of Applied Sciences in «Accounting in Switzerland» (12 ECTS-Credits).

Upon request, this CAS may be credited towards:

Organisation + Application

This CAS comprises 8 Online Modules, On-Campus Week and Self-Study

Online Application

Documents required for your application

You apply via our portal. Please upload the following documents, even if you have already submitted them for another application:

Organisational information

The application deadline for the degree programme is 6 weeks before the start. If places are available, later registration is possible.

CHF 8,500 including all compulsory literature, course materials and proof of competence.

The continuing education regulations of the Bern University of Applied Sciences and the implementation regulations for the continuing education regulations apply. The right to make changes is reserved. In case of doubt, the wording of the legal provisions and regulations shall prevail.

Continuing Education Regulations of Bern University of Applied Sciences (WBR) (PDF, 133 KB)
Implementation Provisions for the Continuing Education Regulations WBR in the Business School (PDF, 81 KB)
Implementation Provisions for the Continuing Education Regulations (PDF, 77 KB)
Framework Study Regulations at Bern University of Applied Sciences (PDF, 127 KB)
Regulations on Scientific Integrity at Bern University of Applied Sciences (WissIR) (PDF, 140 KB)
Legal foundations

Advice

In our FAQ you will find answers to many questions about the administration and organisation of our continuing education programme (in Germany only).

Study Counselling

If you have any questions, please get in touch with us. We are happy to help.

Head of the Degree Programme

Information events in German

In addition to the online information events of BFH Business school, we naturally offer you our personal counsellingconsultation service. By telephone or online via MS Teams. Contact us via e-mail weiterbildung.wirtschaft@bfh.ch or telephone 031 848 34 02

Location

8 Online Modules, On-Campus Week (location will follow) and Self-Study