Objectives

This course aims to deepen the concepts developed by the course "Financial Accounting I" over the fall semester, and the application of accounting principles with the consideration on legal and tax rules which constitute the accounting framework for preparing and evaluating the elements of financial statements. The application scope covers in particular the main types of commercial companies registered in Switzerland, as well as the accounting treatment for some special events that might occur during the life of Swiss firms. The course mainly refers to the Swiss Code of Obligation (Code des obligations) and to Swiss GAAP RPC (Recommendations for the presentation of accounts) and international accounting standards such as IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards).

Contents

The course is structured into two distinct parts:

Part 1: Valuation and accounting treatment of balance sheet items

• Key elements of accounting process
• General principles related to financial statements
• Evaluation of balance sheet items
• Other items related to financial statements

Part 2: Companies accounting

• Definition and legal aspects of Swiss companies
• Foundation and corporate transformation
• Financial operations between associated companies (distribution of dividend)
• Reorganization of companies and specific operations
• Cessation and disposal of business

References

• Dousse V., Dong M., et Y. Darbellay, R. Pianta "Maîtriser l'information comptable", Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes, Lausanne (vol. 2, 5th edition, 2020).
• Code of Obligations (CO). Edited by Federal Chancellery, 2021
  (http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/2/220.fr.pdf).
• FER, Swiss GAAP RPC, Recommendations for the presentation of accounts (www.fer.ch).
• IASB, International Financial Reporting Standard IFRS, edition 2020(http://www.iasb.org/).

Pre-requisites

Students must have taken the course "Financial Accounting I" taught in the fall semester, to have necessary knowledge base for understanding the topics covered in this course.

Evaluation

First attempt

Exam:

Written 2 hours

Documentation:

Allowed with restrictions

Calculator:

Allowed with restrictions

Evaluation:

No intermediary evaluation takes place; the final exam accounts for 100% of the final mark; Scientific Calculator according to Directive of HEC: TI-30X II (B ou S), TI-30 ECO RS or HP 10S – HP 10S+; Documentation: one page (two-sided) of personal notes.

Retake

Exam:

Written 2 hours

Documentation:

Allowed with restrictions

Calculator:

Allowed with restrictions

Evaluation:

Same conditions: No intermediary evaluation takes place; the final exam accounts for 100% of the final mark; Scientific Calculator according to Directive of HEC: TI-30X II (B ou S), TI-30 ECO RS or HP 10S – HP 10S+; Documentation: one page (two-sided) of personal notes.