KPMG Switzerland

About
Annual Review 2012

Learn more about KPMG and get more insights into our developments.

Swiss Code of Conduct

KPMG's Swiss Code of Conduct outlines the ethical principles that define our business activities.
Topics
Tax agreements

All about the tax agreements with Germany, the United Kindgdom and Austria.

Double tax treaties

The interactive map of the world gives an overview of the current situation.
Industries
Insurer

This issue considers amongst other topics the countries of Southeast Asia as a promising growth market.

The Future of Shopping

Outlook for the German and Swiss food retailing. A survey by GDI Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute and KPMG.
Services
- Financial Services
- Legal Services
- Business & Outsourcing Services
Research
- All publications »
The new financial reporting act

This publication gives you an overview about the coming changes regarding the new financial reporting act.

KPMG's Swiss Tax Report 2013

The Swiss Tax Report is published on an annual basis by KPMG Switzerland. The current study reflects 130 countries and all 26 Swiss cantons.
Careers

Open positions

Do you already know everything about us and want to waste no more time? We look forward to receiving your online application.

Career opportunities

Audit, Tax, Advisory, Corporate Services – how do you plan to begin? Choose your career at KPMG.

Events

Want to meet the people behind KPMG? We will be pleased to share our professional experiences with you.
Alumni

Media Releases

Here you find our Media Releases

2013

Tax-cutting trend also drawing to a close in Switzerland

The era of declining top tax rates for companies and private individuals is over, not only in OECD and EU countries but in Swiss cantons, as well. That is one of the findings presented in KPMG’s current Swiss Tax Report 2013.

Cooperation between KPMG and the TIP GROUP

KPMG’s Healthcare sector and the TIP GROUP, Europe’s market leader for integrated healthcare management and controlling systems, have decided to collaborate.

Glencore, Barry Callebaut and Bossard win Swiss M&A Awards

Glencore, Barry Callebaut and Bossard have been presented with a Swiss M&A Award in recognition of noteworthy transactions in 2012. Their M&A activities exemplify the busy corporate landscape in Switzerland.

Sluggish M&A market in the first quarter

After impressing last year, the Swiss M&A market has had a sluggish start to 2013. In the first quarter, both the number and volume of mergers and acquisitions fell sharply, with no major deals being struck.

The grocery store of tomorrow is smaller, more social and more emotional

The food retailing industry will undergo dramatic changes by 2025. In a joint effort, KPMG and the GDI Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute have drawn up some theories on future trends and scenarios in this sector.

White-collar crime causes average losses of CHF 360,000

White-collar crime causes significant losses at Swiss enterprises. While theft and embezzlement cause the greatest costs at Swiss SMEs, large corporations are hit heaviest by the theft and misuse of data.

KPMG acquires BrainNet with the aim of playing a leading role in the structuring of global value chains

KPMG has acquired BrainNet, one of the world’s leading consulting firms in the area of purchasing and supply chain management. As of 1 February 2013, BrainNet became part of Management Consulting at KPMG in Switzerland.

Fraud: Executives cause greatest damage

In Switzerland both the number of cases as well as the total loss incurred as a result of white-collar crimes dropped slightly in 2012 compared to the previous year. A strong increase was seen, however, in the total loss caused by management staff.

Philipp Rickert to join the Executive Committee of KPMG Switzerland

Philipp Rickert, who has enjoyed success as Head of Audit Financial Services since 2011, is to join the Executive Committee of KPMG Switzerland with effect from 1 February 2013.

USA as driver in strong Swiss M&A business

Compared to the previous year, 2012 brought an increase in both the number and particularly the value of mergers and acquisitions with Swiss involvement.

KPMG opens new client office in Lucerne

KPMG is strengthening its market presence in Central Switzerland and opened a new client office in the heart of Lucerne on 10 January.

2012

Profitability of many Swiss private banks insufficient

Many of the private banks under strong pressure to change have insufficient returns on equity, have not sustainably reduced costs and report a weaker cost/income ratio.

KPMG result on a par with previous year

With revenues practically on a par with the previous year (CHF 429.4 million, -0.1 percent), KPMG Switzerland defied the difficult market environment and achieved a robust result.

Trend towards increasing prices for commercial real estate broken

The most important investor groups expect prices for real estate investments in the residential segment to increase slightly over the next 12 months. For commercial property, however, a trend reversal is apparent.

M&A market cautious during third quarter

The third quarter of 2012 brought a slight drop in both the volume and number of M&A transactions compared to the same period of the previous year.

Jürg Birri appointed new Head of Legal at KPMG in German-speaking Switzerland

Jürg Birri will be taking charge of Legal at KPMG in German-speaking Switzerland with effect from 1 October 2012.

M&A market robust despite uncertainties

In spite of the fragile economic situation, the number of mergers and acquisitions involving Swiss companies only declined slightly during the first half of 2012.

Ulrich Amberg new Head of IT Advisory of KPMG Switzerland

Ulrich Amberg is taking over as Head of IT Advisory at KPMG Switzerland. Amberg has extensive, international experience in the area of IT advisory and auditing.

The future chocolate bars will be smaller, sweeter and healthier

The increasingly individualistic nature of consumer habits also has consequences for the chocolate market. This opens up new opportunities for the chocolate industry, as a KPMG report shows.

ETH Zurich project involving a new approach to treating diabetes awarded KPMG’s Inspiration Grant

A team of researchers at ETH Zurich has succeeded in developing a new approach to treating insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. For their work, the researchers have received a KPMG’s Inspiration Grant.

Current risks demand improved coordination between assurance functions at corporations

Complex, systemic risks are on the rise. Correspondingly, the demands on companies regarding how risks are handled at the organizational level are also increasing.

Zurich Insurance Group, Bell, ABB and Nestlé receive Swiss M&A Award

In 2011, four Swiss companies succeeded in strengthening their position in a challenging market with some outstanding transactions. Each has been presented with a Swiss M&A Award by an expert jury.

Commodities companies drive the Swiss M&A market

In the first quarter of 2012, the volume of M&A transactions saw a marked increase on the same period in 2011.

Roger Neininger named new CEO of KPMG Switzerland

On 16 March 2012, the partners of KPMG in Switzerland reached a decision on the successor to Hubert Achermann, who is handing over his office as Senior Partner for reasons of age.

Solvias research team receives the “Sandmeyer Award 2012”

The Swiss Chemical Society has awarded the “Sandmeyer Award 2012 – sponsored by KPMG” to a research team from Solvias.

Private banks forced to focus

An international study carried out by KPMG and the University of St. Gallen shows that a high level of regulatory and cost pressure is forcing private banks to adopt new business models and clear client segmentation.

Increase in the cases of white-collar crime

Both the number of cases and the total amount of losses as a result of white-collar crime clearly rose in 2011 in comparison with the previous year.

Strong M&A activity in a volatile market

KPMG’s “M&A Yearbook Edition 2012” reveals that the number of mergers and acquisitions in Switzerland during 2011 increased by 20.6% to 316 (2010: 262 deals). At the same time, the overall volume of the transactions declined by 14.9% to USD 74.5 billion.

2011

KPMG closes year with solid results thanks to market proximity

Having generated revenue of CHF 430.0 million (-1 percent), KPMG Switzerland recorded a solid result despite the economic slowdown of the last few months.

More companies are reporting on their corporate responsibility – thus bringing increased risks

64% of Switzerland’s 100 largest companies already report on their corporate responsibility activities, exactly the same as the global average.

EPFL project involving high-efficiency light fibers awarded KPMG’s Inspiration Grant

The research project entitled “Nanofiber illuminator” by the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne has been chosen to receive KPMG’s Inspiration Grant.

Daniel Zuberbühler to become Senior Financial Consultant at KPMG Switzerland

Daniel Zuberbühler, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, will join KPMG Switzerland on 1 January 2012 as Senior Financial Consultant.

Average corporate tax rates in Switzerland have fallen again slightly

In global terms, corporate tax rates fell slightly in 2011. In Europe, however, the downward trend has leveled out. Moreover, the global tendency toward indirect taxation is continuing. These are the findings of this year’s survey.

Slight increase in corporate takeovers despite fragile economic situation

Despite the difficult market environment, year-on-year M&A volumes and the number of transactions increased slightly in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the previous year.

Top personal tax rates remain stable worldwide

As KPMG’s most recent Individual Income Tax and Social Security Rate Survey shows, only 15 percent of the 96 countries surveyed worldwide have made changes to their rates of income tax.

Stefan Pfister new Head of Advisory at KPMG Switzerland

On October 1, 2011, Stefan Pfister will take over as Head of Advisory at KPMG Switzerland and become a member of the Executive Committee.

Thomas Studhalter to take over as head of KPMG’s new “Central Switzerland” market region

KPMG is pooling its strengths in the Central Switzerland market region. This new region will be headed up by Thomas Studhalter as of October 1, 2011; at that point in time, he will also take over as Head of Audit in Central Switzerland.

Sustainably strengthening Switzerland as a center of research – without subsidies

Switzerland is losing ground as a center of research: More and more research activities are shifting abroad. In times of an incredibly strong Swiss franc and high foreign debt, this is poison for the Swiss economy.

M&A activity highest since first half of 2008

Swiss M&A activity continued to grow in 2011. According to figures published by KPMG and the University of St. Gallen, the first half of the year brought an increase in both the number and the value of transactions compared to the first half of 2010.

KPMG chair at the University of St. Gallen extended until 2021

KPMG is extending the financing for this chair at the Institute for Accounting, Controlling and Auditing at the University of St. Gallen (ACA) for another eight years.

KPMG supports the ETH Risk Center

KPMG, together with leading financial services providers and companies from other industries, supports the foundation of the “ETH Risk Center.”

Revised IASB standard leads to increase in pension cost

Reacting to today’s revised employee benefit standard from the IASB, KPMG commented that Swiss entities in particular will be significantly affected by changes made to IAS 19 Employee Benefits.

Profile of a fraudster

KPMG investigated 348 cases of fraud in over 69 countries in a broad-based study. The copious amounts of data gathered over the course of this study made it possible to draw up an average profile of a fraudster.

Possible adjustments to the mortgage market pose a challenge to banks

Media release on KPMG study of the Swiss real estate and mortgage market

More acquisitions in a turbulent environment

The “M&A Review” by KPMG and the University of St. Gallen shows a continuation of the positive trend reversal in the M&A market, albeit at a low level.

Network for women serving on boards of directors

WomenCorporateDirectors (WCD) is launching in Switzerland with the help of its Founding Partners, Heidrick & Struggles and KPMG.

KPMG strengthens its presence in Basel

KPMG and some 80 employees in Basel are moving into new office facilities on Viaduktstrasse. The additional space and excellent access to public transportation lay the foundation for targeted improvements to the firm’s presence in Basel.

Companies challenged by increasing complexity

Complexity is posing an ever greater challenge to companies. The main reason for this is increasingly extensive regulation.

BASF research team receives the “Sandmeyer Award 2011 – sponsored by KPMG”

The Swiss Chemical Society (SCS) has chosen a team of researchers at BASF to receive the “Sandmeyer Award 2011 – sponsored by KPMG”.

Marc Gössi named the new Head of Performance & Technology at KPMG Switzerland

KPMG Switzerland has appointed Marc Gössi as its new Head of Performance & Technology.

Investors are main victims of white-collar crime

There were 52 cases of white-collar crime brought before Swiss courts during the past year involving losses of CHF 365 million.

Swiss companies rediscover their appetite for acquisitions

KPMG's "M&A Yearbook 2011” reveals that the number of mergers and acquisitions that took place in Switzerland during 2010, namely 262 deals, remained practically on a par with the previous year (274 deals).

© 2013 KPMG Holding AG/SA, a Swiss corporations, is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP and a member of the KPMG network of independent firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.

KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. All rights reserved.