Which activities appear in relevant job advertisements and how often? What is required in the trustee job?

Wie sehen die Stelleninserate für einen Treuhänder Job aus?

Fiduciaries support companies, self-employed individuals, and private individuals in the areas of accounting, taxes, payroll administration, and management consulting. An analysis of current job postings on major Swiss job platforms reveals which tasks are particularly common, what qualifications employers expect, and what career development opportunities are available in the fiduciary sector. Professionals who combine in-depth fiduciary knowledge with strong consulting skills, analytical thinking, and digital competencies are in particularly high demand.

Job advertisements for a fiduciary job contain all the requirements that a company places on a new employee for the vacant job. People looking for a job will find all the important information about the vacancy they are looking for in job advertisements, such as

  • the activities
  • the employer's requirements (previous education, professional experience, personal skills and characteristics)
  • most important information about the company
  • Trustee (male or female)
  • Trust Services Account Manager (Male) / Trust Services Account Manager (Female)
  • Fiduciary Advisor (Male/Female)
  • Trust Administrator (Male) / Trust Administrator (Female)
  • Trust Administrator (Male or Female)
  • Consulting and Trust Services Specialist (Female) / Consulting and Trust Services Specialist (Male)
  • Senior Trustee (Male) / Senior Trustee (Female)
  • Tax & Accounting Specialist
  • Accounting & Payroll Specialist
  • Client Accountant
  • Trust Expert (male or female; depending on qualifications)
  • Head of Trust Services / Head of Trust Services
  • Accountant
  • Tax consultant
  • Auditor
  • Certified Public Accountant (Male or Female)
  • Financial advisor
  • Controller
  • Finance and Accounting Specialist (Female) / Finance and Accounting Specialist (Male)
  • Accountant
  • Payroll Accountant (Male or Female)

An analysis of current job postings reveals roughly the following distribution:

Task Percentage
Financial Accounting, Financial Statements, and Bookkeeping 30%
Tax Consulting and Tax Returns 20 %
Client Support and Counseling 20 %
Wage administration and social insurance 15%
Business Start-ups, Administration, and Compliance 10%
Digitization, Process Optimization, and Reporting 5%

Requirements mentioned in job advertisements for the trustee job

Current job postings show that employers are looking for fiduciaries with in-depth expertise in accounting, tax law, and fiduciary services. In addition to the Swiss Federal Certificate, client focus, independence, and strong digital skills are particularly frequently required.

These requirements for a trustee position vary depending on the employer. We’ve gathered, reviewed, and compiled* the information for you from relevant job postings on various job boards:

Professional requirements
  • Completed basic training or equivalent training
  • Continuing education, further training to become a trustee with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education (now known as “Consulting and Trust Services Specialist” with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education) or an equivalent qualification
  • Several years of professional experience in trust services, bookkeeping, or finance and accounting
  • Experience in independently managing client accounts
Specialist knowledge for a trustee job
  • Knowledge of accounting, bookkeeping and tax law
  • Learn about:
    • Financial accounting
    • Annual financial statements
    • Tax Law
    • Value added tax
    • Payroll Accounting and Payroll
    • Social insurances
    • Trust Law
    • Management consultancy
  • Knowledge of relevant ERP and accounting software (e.g., Abacus, Banana, Sage, etc.)
  • MS Excel and Digital Accounting Solutions
  • Understanding of legal regulations and standards in the area of finance and accounting
  • Good written and spoken German
  • Knowledge of English is an asset, depending on the client's structure
  • Additional foreign languages as needed
Personal characteristics
  • Sense of Responsibility and Independence
  • Detail orientation and accuracy
  • Analytical thinking
  • Organizational skills
  • Trustworthiness and discretion
  • Good communication skills and customer orientation
  • Problem-solving skills and critical thinking
  • Ability to work in a team
Other trustee job

As a trustee or as a consulting and trust specialist, you must possess strong technical, analytical, and communication skills. The role requires the ability to carefully analyze financial data and reports, draw well-founded conclusions from them, and clearly explain complex financial, tax, and business matters to clients and other stakeholders. Equally important is a strong commitment to service, enabling you to address clients’ individual needs and build long-term relationships based on trust.

Many companies also expect fiduciaries to manage their client accounts independently and to serve as competent points of contact for financial, tax, and business management issues. Numerous job postings explicitly require experience with digital fiduciary solutions, proficiency in using ERP systems, and a willingness to engage in continuing education, further training. Depending on their role, fiduciaries may also assume leadership responsibilities or assist with business start-ups, succession planning, and audits.

Trustees are particularly common in:

  • Trust company
  • Auditing Firms
  • Tax Consulting Firms
  • SMEs in all industries
  • Industrial companies
  • Retail Company
  • Banks
  • Insurances
  • Real Estate Company
  • Management Consulting Firms
  • Public administration
  • Nonprofit Organizations

This shows just how versatile the role of a fiduciary is. Qualified fiduciaries take on responsibilities in accounting, taxes, payroll administration, and business consulting across a wide range of industries.

Career Development Opportunities for Trustees

For fiduciaries, there are many career opportunities for professional development in various directions. Current job postings highlight the growing importance of areas such as digital fiduciary processes, management consulting, compliance, and process automation. Companies are seeking professionals who can provide comprehensive advice to clients, solve complex financial issues, and actively help shape the digital transformation of the fiduciary sector.

After several years of professional experience, trustees often go on to become:

  • Trust Services Account Manager (Male) / Trust Services Account Manager (Female)
  • Head of Trust Services / Head of Trust Services
  • Trust Expert (Male/Female)
  • Tax Expert (Male or Female)
  • Certified Public Accountant (Male or Female)
  • Head of Finance and Accounting / Head of Finance and Accounting
  • Finance Manager
  • Partner at a trust company
  • Self-Employed Trustee (Male) / Self-Employed Trustee (Female)
  • Accounting and Controlling Specialist
  • MAS or CAS in Finance, Tax, or Management Consulting

It is precisely the combination of expertise in fiduciary services, consulting skills, and an understanding of business management that opens up many career paths and, in particular, numerous opportunities for professional development. A career as a fiduciary often serves as the foundation for leadership roles in fiduciary services, tax consulting, or financial management.

Current Developments in the Job Profile "Fiduciary"

The requirements for fiduciaries have changed significantly in recent years. In addition to traditional bookkeeping and tax consulting, digital fiduciary solutions, automated accounting processes, compliance, and data-driven consulting are becoming increasingly important. Many companies today expect fiduciaries to confidently use modern ERP and cloud solutions, proactively advise clients, and clearly explain business contexts. At the same time, expertise in digital transformation, data protection, and the use of AI-powered applications for routine tasks and analyses is becoming increasingly important. Fiduciaries who combine professional expertise with strong advisory skills, entrepreneurial thinking, and a high level of client focus are in particularly high demand.

By the way:Here you will find more interesting links on the subject of job advertisements and job search:

*The information listed here is from an ad hoc study to provide a unique insight into the labor market and what is required in a fiduciary job.

Schools with fiduciary training for the Federal Professional Examination for a fiduciary job