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    Financial standard conversion

    Support with first-time adoption of a new accounting frameworks
    Contact our experts

    Are you considering a financial standard conversion?

    The requirements of the Swiss Code of Obligation do not provide for a fair presentation as a common practice due to its interpretation of the principle of prudence and its orientation towards creditor protection.

    For companies aspiring to greater transparency in their financial reports or pursuing a listing on the SIX Swiss Exchange, other stock exchange or for an exit of investors, a financial statement conversion becomes thus inevitable. 

    Consequently, those corporations must contemplate which accounting and valuation principles they want to apply along with the level of transparency they intend to provide to the readers of their financial statements.

    Currently, nearly half of the companies listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange publish IFRS-compliant consolidated financial statements. Comparatively, Swiss GAAP FER is in use by another third of the listed companies. The remaining companies apply US GAAP or special legal regulations (e.g. banks).

    Martin Stevka
    Martin Stevka

    Partner, Head Accounting Advisory Services Corporates

    KPMG Switzerland

    Daniel Haas
    Daniel Haas

    Partner, Co-Head Accounting Advisory Services Corporates

    KPMG Switzerland

    Conversion to national and international financial reporting standards

    Find out more about the challenges and benefits when considering an IFRS, US GAAP or Swiss GAAP FER conversion.

    Overview of differences between financial reporting standards

    Infographic table - overview of differences between financial reporting standards

    What needs to be considered before a financial standard conversion?

    Conversion of financial statements to Swiss GAAP FER, IFRS or US GAAP imposes certain challenges, which must be thoughtfully considered.

    1. Financial goals

      The employed accounting standards substantially influence the portrayal of a company's economic situation. Do you have financial ambitions when implementing a new GAAP?

    2. Governance and structure
      • Do you need to change your accounting standards as a result of being acquired or some other transaction?
      • Do you need to change your accounting standards as a result of planning an IPO?
      • What does an accounting conversion mean for your organization?
      • What are the main differences between your current accounting standards and your future setup?
    3. Staff and know-how
      • How many of your finance staff have accounting conversion know-how?
      • How many of your finance staff have profound knowledge of Swiss GAAP, IFRS or US GAAP?
      • Do you have sufficient resources for a conversion project, which may extend from multiple months up to one year and comes in addition to daily work?
      • Do you have a project organization, which will ensure effective and efficient execution of a conversion project?
    4. Processes

      What impact will the new accounting standards have on your systems, processes, and internal controls?

    5. Information

      Do you have quality data available for a successful implementation of a new accounting standards?

    Our contribution to your conversion

    • Methodology and experience to effectively assess your current accounting policies and to help you implement the required changes
    • Expertise in managing and delivering complex, large-scale global projects
    • Experienced project managers, which ensure appropriate level of project communication, identification and resolution of issue, meeting deadlines and alignment of responsibilities
    • Suite of tools to ensure smooth and efficient conversion projects
    • Audit trail documentation and support in discussions with auditors

    Your benefits

    • Expert team on short notice with accounting and project management expertise
    • Pragmatic and solution-oriented advice
    • Ongoing knowledge transfer to build Swiss GAAP FER, IFRS of US GAAP competence within your organization
    • Short communication channels
    • Quick and easy access to a wide range of expert knowledge within KPMG globally and across all disciplines and services
    • Smooth accounting conversion to Swiss GAAP FER, IFRS or US GAAP that allows you to devote more time to the daily business and the pursue of other projects
    • Financial report pragmatically tailored to the individual needs and characteristics of your company
    • Compliance with Swiss GAAP FER, IFRS or US GAAP accounting and reporting requirements

    Our approach to financial conversion projects

    Our Accounting Advisory Services for Corporates supports you with first-time adoption of a new accounting framework like Swiss GAAP FER, IFRS or US GAAP.

    Depending on prevailing circumstances, our delivery process is completed within 6 weeks to 12 months.

    Our GAAP conversion projects typically include the following steps:

    Phase 1: Analysis

    • Kick-off workshop
    • Compilation of project plan
    • Installation of project management organization
    • Preliminary analysis of your company's accounting landscape
    • Identification of accounting differences and definition of measures

    Phase 2: Design

    • Determination of accounting strategy and aspired level of disclosure in the financial statements 
    • Definition of accounting policies and compilation of accounting memoranda and accounting manuals  
    • Review chart of accounts and identification of adjustments
    • Compilation of reporting packages and preparation of mock-up financial statements
    • Compilation of accounting memoranda and accounting manuals

    Phase 3: Implementation

    • Preparation of financial statements or consolidated financial statements in accordance with the new GAAP incl. opening balances as of date of transition
    • Audit of the first financial statements, throughout which Accounting Advisory Services team can accompany you
    • Training to the financial staff members

    Phase 4: Stabilization

    • Design of interim financial statements
    • Review and adjustments to Internal Control System (ICS)
    • Planning of interim and annual financial statements preparation

    Other complementary services

    Contact us regarding your financial reporting needs

    Do you dare to analyze your situation?

    Click here to discuss the different options you have!
    Martin Stevka
    Martin Stevka

    Partner, Head Accounting Advisory Services Corporates

    KPMG Switzerland

    Daniel Haas
    Daniel Haas

    Partner, Co-Head Accounting Advisory Services Corporates

    KPMG Switzerland

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    Accounting Advisory Services for Corporates

    Your trusted partner in GAAP conversions, IPO readiness assessments, accounting for M&A and solving demanding accounting & reporting challenges.
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