What does the day-to-day work of finance and accounting specialists with a federal certificate look like?

The area of responsibility of finance and accounting specialists is very diverse, wide-ranging and varies depending on the size of the company. As experts in the field of financial accounting, they are professionally responsible for ongoing bookkeeping (general ledger as well as sub-ledgers) and prepare timely and accurate monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements. They are responsible for all payment transactions, dunning, reporting and controlling.

Their comprehensive knowledge of figures enables finance and accounting specialists to carry out robust budgeting and compile meaningful statistics, which serve as a basis for management to make important company decisions. In most cases, finance and accounting specialists are also responsible for the entire salary system, VAT settlements and administrative work relating to insurance. As team leaders, they are also confronted with tasks relating to personnel management on a daily basis.

(Important note: The weighting/frequency of the individual areas of responsibility can vary greatly depending on the company and job profile/function).

Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination (BP) for finance and accounting specialists with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The course and the professional certificate in accounting are suitable for

• Professionals with several years of practical experience in accounting who would like to prove their skills and knowledge with a federal certificate and thus increase their career opportunities
• Ambitious professionals with 3 years of professional experience in accounting who would like to deepen their knowledge of the subject in order to be able to offer their clients enhanced skills and knowledge.
• Professionals in accounting who would like to take on more responsible tasks and/or a managerial role (e.g. team leader) in the future

Finance and accounting specialists should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Analytical skills
• Flair for numbers
• Precise working method
• Ability to work in a team
• Flexibility
• Leadership skills
• Reliability
• Load capacity

Requirements for admission to the professional examination in finance and accounting with a federal certificate (BP):

In order to be able to take the federal professional examination for the specialist certificate in accounting, you must, in accordance with the examination regulations:

• Have one of the following qualifications: Federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ), high school diploma, vocational baccalaureate, technical high school diploma, a certificate or diploma recognized by the examination board as an accounting clerk, federal diploma (BP), federal diploma (HFP), HF degree or degree from a university or university of applied sciences

And

• 3 years of professional experience with a workload of at least 80%

Or

• None of the above qualifications, but 6 years of professional experience in finance and accounting, with a workload of at least 80%.

and

• Has an IT diploma recognized by the examination board

And

• Completed online modules in the area of leadership

And

• does not have an entry in the central criminal register in connection with the activity

You will find out whether you have been admitted to the professional examination at least three months before the start of the examination with a written notification including reasons and information on legal remedies in the event of rejection.

Note: The requirements, such as professional experience, only need to be fulfilled at the time of the federal final examination/examination registration. Some schools may be prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the professional examination for finance and accounting specialists if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. You must then ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination or examination registration (the responsibility lies with you).

Subject matter and content of the training

The subject matter and content of the preparatory courses for the Federal Professional Examination in Finance and Accounting are based on the requirements of the professional examination sponsor, the Association for Advanced Examinations in Accounting and Controlling BP/HFP.

The learning content taught in the preparation courses to acquire the necessary qualifications for the examination includes the following topics:

Accounting:

• Organizing finance and accounting
• Keeping the auxiliary books
• Management of financial accounting
• Management of operational accounting
• Preparation of accounting and consolidated financial statements
• Preparation of financial planning and investment calculations
• Establishing and ensuring financial management

Wages and insurance:

• Administration of salaries and social insurance
• Apply labor law
• Manage property insurance

Taxes:

• Accounting for value added tax
• Declaring direct taxes
• Settling withholding taxes

Data management
Guidance

Costs and financing of further training

Apart from the examination fees (these are set by the sponsoring body of the professional examination), the costs are set by the respective schools and can therefore vary. In general, the following costs must be expected for the 4 to 6-semester course to become a finance and accounting specialist:

• Course feesBetween CHF 11,400 and CHF 21,000 Of this, you will receive around 50% back from the federal government on application after the examination (regardless of the result).* Note: Members of the Kaufmännischer Verband receive a member discount of up to 10% on the course costs. You can find more information here: https://www.kv-business-school.ch/mitgliedschaft-kaufmaennischer-verband
• IT-SIZ Certificate PU41between CHF 900.- and CHF 1'600.-
• Examination fees:CHF 2,000 (as at: March 2023) The amount of the examination fee is determined by the sponsoring body of the BP, i.e. this course. It is paid by the candidate after admission has been confirmed.
• Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for teaching materials, training documents and simulation exams, for example, are not included in the course fees. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect.

*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) and higher professional examinations (HFP) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for BP, max. CHF 10,500 for HFP) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also paid out in advance.

Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort

• The further training for the accounting certificate has a modular structure and lasts 4 to 6 semesters (depending on the provider). It is completed on a part-time basis.
• Lesson times vary depending on the provider. As a rule, the approx. 672 to 750 lessons take place on one evening per week and Saturday or on two evenings per week and Saturday morning or all day on a weekday and/or Saturday.
• Many schools now offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study.
• Thanks to the in-service training concept, you can apply and deepen the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly for a taster lesson.

Degree, diploma and title

The professional examination for the specialist certificate in accounting takes place annually, provided that at least 40 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. It can be taken in German, French or Italian.

Candidates are notified at least 28 days before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (with details of the place and time of the examination as well as permitted aids) and the list of experts.

The federal professional examination comprises the following parts:

1. accounting (written, 8 hours, weighting 3)

In the form of three to six guided case studies, candidates work on problems in this part of the examination. These cover the core processes of accounting.

2. wages and insurance (written, 3 hours, weighting 1)

Here too, candidates work on problems in one to three guided case studies. These cover the core processes relating to the administration of salaries and insurance.

3. taxes (written, 3 hours, weighting 1)

Candidates work on problems in the form of one to three guided case studies covering the core processes in the processing of company-related taxes.

Diploma and title

Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Specialist in finance and accounting with a federal certificate".

• In French: "Spécialiste en finance et compatibilité avec brevet fédéral"
• In Italian: "Specialista in finanza e contabilità con attestato professionale federale"
• In English: "Chartered Specialist in Accounting and Financial Management, Federal Diploma of Higher Education" (Attention: No protected title only a recommendation)