This interview was published in issue 24-3, page 21 of topsoft, the Swiss magazine for digital business: https://issuu.com/topsoft/docs/topsoft_magazin-24-3
What are the benefits of Swissdec-certified software for Swiss companies?
Swissdec-certified software significantly reduces the time, effort and administrative workload. The standardisation brings consistency and quality, helping HR professionals meet legal and regulatory requirements.
How does this benefit companies in practice?
A Swissdec-certified software accurately calculates all social security contributions, net salary equalisation and withholding tax. For companies with employees from different cantons or abroad, the software automatically applies the correct tax rates and generates cross-border reports.
All payroll data only needs to be entered once, speeding up the entire declaration process. Manual data entry using paper or web forms is no longer necessary. Communication with authorities happens with just one click, directly from the software.
How does the payroll data reporting work?
The payroll software automatically compiles the data, reducing the need for checks and preventing errors in calculations. Legal and regulatory requirements are met and time-consuming corrections become a thing of the past.
How secure is the data transmission?
Swissdec-certified software ensures maximum data protection. The payroll data is securely sent to over 190 recipients, including tax offices, social security institutions, insurance companies and authorities throughout Switzerland via encrypted XML files. The data is only transmitted to authorised recipients and the company decides who receives the information.
What should be considered when choosing Swissdec-certified software?
The payroll software should meet all operational and specific needs, taking into account the size and industry of the company. We recommend choosing software that integrates payroll, HR and recruitment processes seamlessly. An integrated ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system provides transparency and bundles all relevant information in one place and in real time. This means HR professionals only need to maintain the data once.
It’s also important to ensure that access is clearly defined for the HR team, finance managers, accountants and the company's employees. The interface should be intuitive and easy to use.
What preparations are needed for implementation?
A thorough analysis of the payroll processes as well as the existing data structures and current database is crucial. Modern ERP software offers the option to integrate this information directly into the system or store it online.
What challenges can arise during implementation?
An upgrade to the Swiss payroll standard can be complex, as both upstream and downstream processes always need to be reviewed and adjusted. The technical requirements and the people involved in the project also play a key role in successful implementation. Expertise, planning and commitment are essential.
How long does it take to switch to the unified payroll reporting system (ELM)?
Depending on the size of the company, the switch can be completed in just a few days. The transition can happen at any time, but it’s usual to do it at the beginning of the year. A retrospective migration is also possible.
In conclusion, what role does Swissdec play in a company’s digital transformation?
Swissdec standardises a very important area of a business: human resources. With Swissdec-certified software, Swiss companies not only optimise their payroll accounting for current requirements, but also benefit from ongoing adjustments to legal standards.
Our experience shows that implementing Swissdec-certified payroll software is an excellent foundation for driving digital transformation within a company.
Swissdec-certified Payroll for Odoo
braintec initiated the Swissdec certification for Odoo Business Software in Switzerland in 2013 and has since made significant technical and professional contributions.
Swissdec-certified payroll accounting fulfils all legal standards for the electronic transmission of salary data to various social security institutions and authorities in Switzerland through the unified payroll reporting system (ELM).