Initial Consultation
Azzurra Consulting·Insights / News

Insights from daily mandate work.

Posts on trust services, IT, digitalisation and everything we actually come across in daily mandate work.

The Most Common Administrative Mistakes in Small Businesses
Business24 Jul 20266 min

The Most Common Administrative Mistakes in Small Businesses

Founders and executives running small enterprises in Switzerland are typically driven by passion for their products, services, and client relationships. Back-office administration, by contrast, is often treated as a burdensome chore tacked onto the end of the workday or squeezed into weekends. Yet, administrative oversights are far from harmless; they quietly act as profitability killers and can ultimately threaten the very survival of a company. A structured review of your operational and accounting processes protects your firm from unwelcome surprises during official audits and keeps your focus firmly on core business growth. Effective Swiss SME management relies on establishing robust back-office routines before small gaps turn into major liabilities.

Valerian WittmannRead post
Solar Power for Apartment Buildings: Benefits and Opportunities for Owners
Rental Law12 Jun 20265 min

Solar Power for Apartment Buildings: Benefits and Opportunities for Owners

Rising electricity prices and the debate over long-term energy security are major concerns for people across the country. Those who live in their own single-family homes have usually made the transition to renewable energy quickly: a few phone calls, a review of the solar installer’s quote, and soon the panels on the roof are producing clean electricity. The situation is quite different for people who live in an apartment building and own their units. The shared roof often remains unused, while expensive grid electricity is purchased month after month. Yet it is precisely this shared roof that offers enormous opportunities to drastically reduce one’s own fixed costs - provided you know how to navigate the democratic processes of the homeowners’ association.

Simone BlumRead post
Klemmbrett Bild
Inheritance Law16 Apr 20263 min

The True Cost of Unsettled Estates: A Comprehensive Guide

An unsettled estate is far more than a mere administrative inconvenience. It can rapidly turn into a crippling financial burden for surviving heirs. When clear provisions, a valid will, or a comprehensive inventory of assets and liabilities are missing, families face complex legal hurdles that drain time, energy, and, most importantly, wealth. This article outlines the true cost of an intestate estate and highlights why timely succession planning is vital.

Naomi PoloniRead post
Talent Shortages in Fiduciary Services: Why Retention Begins Before Day One
Business09 Apr 20263 min

Talent Shortages in Fiduciary Services: Why Retention Begins Before Day One

The fiduciary sector is under pressure. What was once considered a safe haven for finance professionals is now struggling with a severe image problem and an even greater shortage of qualified talent. Yet while many firms blame the younger generation or the education system, the solution is often much closer to home: within company culture. We need a radical shift in perspective. Employee retention isn't a process that starts after the probationary period - it begins well before the contract is signed.

Naomi PoloniRead post
Bla Bla Bla
Business26 Feb 20265 min

“This Could Have Been an Email” – Why We Should Truly Question Meetings

I still vividly remember a meeting at the beginning of the year. It was early morning, the coffee hadn’t even fully kicked in yet, and we were already sitting in a Teams meeting. The agenda? A long list of items no one had really read. After twenty minutes, it became obvious: the entire discussion could easily have been handled in a five-line email. One of those moments you silently acknowledge with an eye roll and the phrase, “This could have been an email.”

Naomi PoloniRead post
Planning Ahead Means Taking Responsibility
Retirement19 Feb 20265 min

Planning Ahead Means Taking Responsibility

In this article, I would like to look at the topic of planning ahead from both a professional and a personal perspective. Because planning ahead is not purely a financial or legal matter — it is an attitude. A decision. And often an expression of maturity.

Naomi PoloniRead post
Reading Annual Financial Statements: Understanding the Numbers, Recognizing the Story
Business12 Feb 20263 min

Reading Annual Financial Statements: Understanding the Numbers, Recognizing the Story

The annual financial statements are on the table. Balance sheet, income statement, notes—perhaps part of a full annual report. Clearly structured, audited, approved. Factual. Neutral. Reliable. And yet there is often that quiet unease: I see the numbers—but do I really understand what happened over the past year? Annual financial statements enjoy an almost sacred status. They are regarded as truth in numerical form, as a sober depiction of economic reality. But anyone who has worked with them for some time quickly realizes: they are less a mirror and more a narrative. A structured, regulated, often cautiously worded narrative—but a narrative nonetheless.

Naomi PoloniRead post
What We Wish We Had Known Earlier When Starting a Company
Tips and tricks05 Feb 20265 min

What We Wish We Had Known Earlier When Starting a Company

Starting a company often feels like a big leap at the beginning. There is a mix of excitement, energy, and a firm belief that your idea is coming at exactly the right time. You have plans, visions, and the feeling that you are finally building something of your own. Looking back, many founders realize that not everything that was difficult necessarily had to be that difficult. Some challenges are simply part of the journey, no question. Others arise from a lack of experience, false assumptions, or simply from the fact that certain things only become clear once you are in the middle of it.

Naomi PoloniRead post
Does Working from Home Make Us More Productive – or Just More Invisible?
Business26 Jan 20264 min

Does Working from Home Make Us More Productive – or Just More Invisible?

Working from home is no longer merely an emergency solution from pandemic times. For many people, it has become a permanent part of everyday working life, and in some cases even the preferred form of work. Companies benefit from lower office and infrastructure costs, while employees value flexibility, time savings, and a better work–life balance. Yet behind these advantages lies a central question: Does working from home truly make work more productive – or does it mainly render work, and the people behind it, more invisible?

Evelyn OttRead post
A guide to the tenancy agreement for flats
Rental Law07 Mar 20243 min

A guide to the tenancy agreement for flats

Finding a suitable flat in Switzerland can be an exciting but also challenging task. Once you have found the right flat, it is important to carefully review and understand the rental agreement before signing it. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the rental agreement for flats and explain important points that tenants should consider.

Simone BlumRead post
Employment contract: An introduction to the key aspects and best practices
Employment law27 Feb 20242 min

Employment contract: An introduction to the key aspects and best practices

Whether you're an employer looking to draw up a contract or an employee receiving a new contract, drafting a clear and comprehensive employment contract is crucial to a smooth employment relationship. In this post, we'll give you an introduction to the key aspects of an employment contract and offer valuable insights to help you navigate the process.

Naomi PoloniRead post
Handover of key renting in switzerland
Rental Law22 Feb 20242 min

Differences between rent, tenancy and leasing: a comprehensive overview

In the world of property and business law, these terms are often intertwined, but their subtle nuances can have a significant impact on legal and financial issues. Our goal is to provide you with a comprehensive overview of rent, tenancy and leasing to help you better categorise and understand these terms.

Simone BlumRead post
The variety of legal structure in Switzerland
Business01 Feb 20243 min

The variety of legal structure in Switzerland

In this article, we will look specifically at the characteristics, advantages, disadvantages and challenges of each legal structure to provide you with even clearer guidance when deciding on the optimal structure for your company. Join us on this informative journey and gain valuable insights to help you choose the right legal structure.

Naomi PoloniRead post
Choosing the right legal structure for your company
Business25 Jan 20242 min

Choosing the right legal structure for your company

The strategic decision in favour of the right legal structure marks an essential milestone on the way to founding a company. Your choice will have a significant impact on liability, taxation and general management, which requires careful consideration and knowledge of the available options. This article provides an in-depth overview of the various legal structures available in Switzerland, highlighting both the benefits and challenges of each option. This analysis is intended to help and support aspiring entrepreneurs in making a decision that best suits the individual requirements of their project. Immerse yourself in the world of legal structures with our two-part blog and gain a comprehensive insight into Switzerland's multifaceted corporate landscape.

Naomi PoloniRead post
Successfully founding a company in Switzerland: What you should bear in mind
Business19 Jan 20242 min

Successfully founding a company in Switzerland: What you should bear in mind

Starting a business is undoubtedly a fascinating and rewarding experience. Switzerland proves to be an ideal backdrop for entrepreneurial ambitions, not only thanks to its stable economy, but also its efficient administration and attractive tax environment. Nevertheless, there are a few key considerations to make sure that your start-up project runs smoothly. In this context, we would like to present some key aspects that deserve your attention.

Naomi PoloniRead post
Occupational Pension in Switzerland: A glimpse behind the scenes
Retirement12 Dec 20232 min

Occupational Pension in Switzerland: A glimpse behind the scenes

Occupational pension in Switzerland is a central element of the country's comprehensive social security system. The system primarily aims to provide financial security to employees in their old age, in case of disability, and in the event of death. It is based on the Federal Act on Occupational Old Age, Survivors', and Invalidity Pension Plans (BVG), which forms the foundation for the second pillar of the Swiss retirement system.

Naomi PoloniRead post
Value Added Tax (VAT) Increase from 2024: Impacts on the Economy and Consumers
Taxes05 Dec 20232 min

Value Added Tax (VAT) Increase from 2024: Impacts on the Economy and Consumers

On September 25, 2022, the Swiss population approved the reform for the stabilization of the Old Age and Survivors' Insurance (AHV 21), which will come into effect on January 1, 2024. The reform consisted of two components: the amendment to the Old Age and Survivors' Insurance Act and the Federal Decree on the additional financing of AHV through an increase in the value-added tax. In this blog post, we take a closer look at the new VAT rates and their implications for businesses.

Naomi PoloniRead post
Old-age and survivor's insurance – the OASI
Retirement24 Oct 20235 min

Old-age and survivor's insurance – the OASI

The OASI is a universal and mandatory insurance that encompasses all individuals residing or working in Switzerland. Therefore, it is important to understand how it operates.

Naomi PoloniRead post
How Does Switzerland's Retirement System Work?
Retirement11 Apr 20234 min

How Does Switzerland's Retirement System Work?

Switzerland boasts a comprehensive retirement system comprising different pillars. The objective of this system is to ensure financial security in old age, providing a certain level of protection in cases of disability or death.

Naomi PoloniRead post
Filing Your Tax Return: The Annual Tax Office Greeting
Taxes05 Jan 20234 min

Filing Your Tax Return: The Annual Tax Office Greeting

Every year, your tax return lands ‘unexpectedly’ in your mailbox. There is no time to fill it out. So you procrastinate until this annoying task has become urgent. Having to fill out a tax return under pressure is never a good strategy though, which is why we have compiled the most important information for you in this blog post

Naomi PoloniRead post
Marriage for All - Why is a Conversion sensible? Part 2
Family Law21 Nov 20222 min

Marriage for All - Why is a Conversion sensible? Part 2

Seit 1. Juli 2022 ist die Ehe auch für gleichgeschlechtliche Paare möglich und hat den bis anhin genutzten Zivilstand der eingetragenen Partnerschaft ersetzt. Bestehende eingetragene Partnerschaften bleiben bestehen und können in eine Ehe umgewandelt werden. Es ist jedoch nicht mehr möglich eine eingetragenen Partnerschaft einzugehen.

Naomi PoloniRead post
Marriage for All - Why is a Conversion sensible? Part 1
Family Law20 Oct 20223 min

Marriage for All - Why is a Conversion sensible? Part 1

Since July 1, 2022, marriage has become available to same-sex couples, replacing the previously used civil status of registered partnership. Existing registered partnerships remain valid and can be converted into marriage. However, it is no longer possible to enter into a registered partnership.

Naomi PoloniRead post
Initial Consultation

Contact us for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation.

Tell us about your situation. We will carefully review your matter, listen to your concerns, and provide a transparent assessment of whether and how we can assist you.

Get in touch
Phone
+41 44 621 73 11
Email
info@azzurra-consulting.ch
Address
Freiestrasse 101
8032 Zürich
Office hoursMon–Fri · 09:00–16:30