Self-test: Is the "Expert in Accounting and Controlling with Federal Diploma" course the right one for me?

What does the day-to-day work of an expert in accounting and controlling with a federal diploma look like?

Experts in accounting and controlling assume responsibility for financial planning, controlling and the correct implementation of standards and laws in medium-sized and larger companies. For example, they work in an SME as head of finance or as head of group accounting in international corporations. They support the management in financial matters with key figures, statistics and evaluations, provide them with key management figures, monitor risk management, make suggestions for tax optimization and participate in strategic decision-making processes.

As Head of Finance, IT and sometimes HR Administration, they are responsible for the personnel management of their team and for the preparation of flawless accounting, including quarterly and annual financial statements, balance sheet and income statement, and the preparation of analyses, reports and key figures. You will prepare the accounts in accordance with the relevant standards and monitor the internal control systems. As an internal and external contact person, you will advise management on business management issues, on measures relating to the organizational structure and processes or on issues relating to national and international tax law and VAT.

Note: Remember that the division/weighting of tasks can vary greatly depending on the job profile and company!

Target group and skills: Who is the Higher Professional Examination for Experts in Accounting and Controlling with a Federal Diploma suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The course or the Advanced Professional Examination for Accounting and Controlling Experts is aimed at the following target group:

• Persons with a higher vocational training qualification in accounting or fiduciary services
• Business economists who wish to specialize in the areas of accounting and controlling
• Professionals from the management consulting and fiduciary sector who would like further training in financing and controlling issues

Experts in accounting and controlling should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Enjoy dealing with numbers, standards and laws
• Independence and a sense of responsibility
• Negotiating skills and assertiveness
• Loyalty and discretion
• Planning and organizational skills
• Analytical and networked thinking and acting
• Communication skills (good foreign language skills)
• Ability to work in a team

Requirements for admission to the Advanced Professional Examination for Experts in Accounting and Controlling:

The admission requirements for admission to the Advanced Professional Examination for Experts in Accounting and Controlling are as follows:
(Note: The prerequisites must be fulfilled by the time of the examination or examination registration)

• In possession of a federal certificate in finance and accounting followed by more than two years of professional experience*

Or

• In possession of another federal certificate, federal diploma (HFP), diploma from a university of applied sciences (HF), degree from a university or university of applied sciences and more than three years of relevant professional experience in the field of accounting and controlling.

And

• There is no entry in the central criminal register in connection with the professional activity

And

• Participation in the leadership workshop (3 days), which is organized by the sponsoring body. In this workshop, candidates deal with the core processes of leadership using practical tasks.

You will find out whether you have been admitted to the higher professional examination at least three months before the start of the examination with a written notification including reasons in the event of a negative decision.

*The calculation of the number of years of relevant professional experience is based on a workload of 80%. For part-time positions, the professional experience is credited on a pro rata basis.

Note: Some schools are prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the Advanced Professional Examination for Experts in Accounting and Controlling if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination/examination registration. At some schools, it is also possible to attend the course without the intention of taking an examination. Admission requirements vary depending on the provider.

Subject matter and content of the training

When compiling the course content and subject matter, the schools of the preparatory courses for the Advanced Level Examination for Experts in Accounting and Controlling are guided by the specifications of the sponsoring body, the Association for Advanced Examinations in Accounting and Controlling BP/HFP c/o examen.ch AG.

The following topics are taught in the courses and examined at the HFP:

• Accounting(e.g. Code of Obligations, accounting, consolidated financial statements)
• Controlling(e.g. conceptualizing, designing and managing controlling systems, value-oriented controlling, key figures, key figure analysis, revenue, performance and cost controlling, decision calculations, risk management, internal control system, developing and managing strategic controlling systems, operational planning, budgeting, budget control, project management)
• Corporate Finance(including basics, forms of financing, financial planning, risk hedging and diversification, investment decisions, company valuation)
• Taxes(e.g. taxes in accounting, restructuring for partnerships and legal entities, special topics according to DBG, StHG, VStG, StG, international tax law, VAT finalization, real estate, private shares, reporting procedures)
• Data management(e.g. objectives and basics of data management, automation for reporting, planning, etc.) AI in accounting and controlling)
• Guidance(including recognizing and performing leadership tasks, shaping and promoting the ability to cooperate, promoting and developing employees, communication and presentation)

Costs and financing of further training

Apart from the examination fee, which is set by the sponsoring body of the higher professional examination, the costs vary depending on the provider.

In general, the following costs must be expected for the three to five-semester part-time course to become an expert in accounting and controlling:

• Course feesbetween CHF 20,000 and CHF 25,000, of which you will receive around 50% back from the federal government after the examination (regardless of the result)*.
  Note: Members of the commercial association benefit from up to 10% discount on the course costs. Read morehereto.
• External examination feesCHF 3,400 (as of April 2023) The examination fee is set by the sponsoring body of the higher professional examination or course. The candidate pays this to the sponsoring body 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 (so-called subject financing). Graduates of these courses will therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for BP, max. CHF 10,500 for HFP) of the course costs paid upon application after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also paid out in advance.

Duration of study, teaching times, teaching model and learning effort

• Duration:The training to become an expert in accounting and controlling is completed on a part-time basis and takes between 3 and 5 semesters (depending on the provider and training model). It has a modular structure.
• Lesson times:The course with its approx. 750 lessons is offered at different times. These time variants are determined independently by the respective schools, so there may be differences. There are often day courses and evening courses. For example, lessons can take place on a weekday afternoon and evening and/or all day on a Saturday.
• Teaching model:Many schools often offer different teaching models so that you have the opportunity to combine further education with family, work and free time in the best possible way. You can usually choose between face-to-face teaching or online formats, such as online teaching, hybrid teaching or blended learning.
• Learning effort: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 final examination (HFP) to become an expert in accounting and controlling is held every year, provided that at least 40 candidates meet the admission requirements after the announcement, otherwise every two years. Candidates can choose the language in which they wish to take the Advanced Professional Examination: German, French or Italian.

Candidates are notified at least 28 days before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (location, time of the oral examination, permitted aids) and the list of experts.

The higher professional examination consists of seven parts, which are structured as follows:
(Note: If you have a qualification as a certified public accountant, certified tax expert or certified fiduciary expert, you can be exempted from one or more of the following tax and corporate finance examination parts (only applies to certified public accountants). Detailed information on the recognition and crediting of other qualifications and achievements can be obtained from the awarding body).

1) Accounting (written, 5 hours, weighting 3)

On the basis of two to three guided case studies, candidates work on problems relating to the core processes of accounting.

2) Controlling (written, 5 hours, weighting 3)

Candidates work on problems using 2 to 3 guided case studies for the core processes of controlling.

3) Corporate Finance (written, 3 hours, weighting 1)

Candidates work on problems on the basis of guided case work. This covers the core processes of corporate finance.

4) Taxes (written, 2 hours, weighting 1)

In the area of core tax processes, candidates work on problems on the basis of guided case work.

5) Data management (written, 1.5 hours, weighting 1)

Candidates must work on the core processes of data management using guided case work.

6) Interdisciplinary case study (written, 4 hours, weighting 3)

In the form of an interdisciplinary case study, candidates work on a complex problem relating to the areas of competence specified for this part of the examination.

7) Presentation and technical discussion (oral, 1 hour 40 minutes, weighting 1)

In advance, the candidates draw up a concept for a specific initial situation. They then present the concept orally to a panel of experts. This is followed by an expert discussion.

Diploma and title

Successful graduates of the higher professional examination receive a federal diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Certified Expert in Accounting and Controlling".

In French: "Expert diplômé en finance et en controlling / Experte diplômée en finance et en controlling"

In Italian: "Esperto diplomato in finanza e in controlling / Experta diplomata in finanza e in controlling"

In English: "Chartered Expert in Financial and Managerial Accounting and Reporting, Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education". Please note that the English title is merely a translation and recommendation and is not a protected title.