This thesis analyses the influence of IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) on Swiss commercial accounting law. The effects appear from different directions: on a national level, the legislature considered the IFRS in the norm-setting process. Swiss law refers to IFRS with incorporations, references, and general clauses. In addition, Swiss case law and the doctrine use IFRS to interpret Swiss law. However, the influence does not stop at Swiss commercial accounting law. IFRS also have an impact on public accounting law through the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). At the international level, IFRS have been endorsed by a few jurisdictions as their domestic accounting standard (DAS); hence, IFRS also influences Swiss law through the comparative law approach.

Unfortunately, this impact comes with problems. IFRS are issued by the IASB, making them a set of private norms. Consequently, their influence on domestic law raises the question of democratic legitimacy. Another issue is the clash of two different concepts in financial reporting: the true and fair view versus the prudence concept. The first concept characterises IFRS and relies on a transparent and fair presentation. The second is the underlying principle of the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO). It demands careful reporting, which can lead to intransparency. How can these differences be resolved?