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Business valuations
We offer expert valuation advice in transactions, regulatory and administrative matters, and matters subject to dispute – valuing businesses, shares and intangible assets in a wide range of industries.
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Capital markets
You need corporate finance specialists experienced in international capital markets on your side if you’re buying or selling financial securities.
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Complex and international services
Our experience of multi-jurisdictional insolvencies coupled with our international reputation allows us to deliver the best possible outcome for all stakeholders.
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Corporate insolvency
Our corporate investigation and recovery teams can help you manage insolvency situations and facilitate the best outcome.
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Debt advisory
An optimal funding structure for your organisation presents unprecedented opportunities, but achieving this can be difficult without a trusted advisor.
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Expert witness
Our expert witnesses analyse, interpret, summarise and present complex financial and business-related issues which are understandable and properly supported.
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Financial models
A sound financial model will help you understand the impact of your decisions before you make them. Talk to us about our user-friendly models.
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Forensic and investigation services
We provide investigative accounting and litigation support services for commercial, matrimonial, criminal, business valuation and insurance disputes.
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Independent business review
Is your business viable? Will it remain viable in the future? A thorough independent business review can help your organisation answer these fundamental questions.
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IT forensics
Effective ESI analysis is integral to the success of your business. Our IT forensics experts have the technical expertise to identify, preserve and interrogate electronic data.
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Mergers and acquisitions
Grant Thornton provides strategic and execution support for mergers, acquisitions, sales and fundraising.
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Raising finance
Raising finance - funders value partners who can deliver a robust financial model, a sound business strategy and rigorous planning. We can guide you through the challenges that these transactions can pose and help you build a foundation for long term success once the deal is done.
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Relationship property services
Grant Thornton offers high quality independent advice on the many financial issues associated with relationship property from considering an individual financial issue to all aspects of a complex settlement.
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Restructuring and turnaround
Grant Thornton’s restructuring and turnaround service capabilities include cash flow, liquidity management and forecasting; crisis and interim management; financial advisory services to companies and parties in transition and distress
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Transaction advisory
Our depth of market knowledge will steer you through the transaction process. Grant Thornton’s dynamic teams offer range of financial, commercial and operational expertise.
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Virtual asset advisory
Helping you navigate the world of virtual currencies and decentralised financial systems.
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Corporate tax
Grant Thornton can identify tax issues, risks and opportunities in your organisation and implement strategies to improve your bottom line.
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Employment tax
Grant Thornton’s advisers can help you with PAYE (payroll tax), Kiwisaver, fringe benefits tax (FBT), student loans, global mobility services, international tax
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Global mobility services
Our team can help expatriates and their employers deal with tax and employment matters both in New Zealand and overseas. With the correct planning advice, employee allowances and benefits may be structured to avoid double taxation and achieve tax savings.
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GST
GST has the potential to become a minefield and can be expensive when it goes wrong. Our technical knowledge can help you minimise the negative impact of GST
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International tax
International tax rules are undergoing their biggest change in a generation. Tax authorities around the world are increasingly vigilant, especially when it comes to global operations.
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Research and Development
R&D tax incentives are often underused and misunderstood – is your business maximising opportunities for making claims?
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Tax compliance
Our advisers help clients manage the critical issue of compliance across accountancy regulations, corporation law and tax. We also offer business and wealth advisory services, which means we can provide a seamless and tax-effective offering to our clients.
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Tax governance
Mitigate tax risks and implement best practice governance that will stand up to IRD scrutiny and audits.
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Transfer pricing
Tax authorities are demanding transparency in international arrangements. We businesses comply with regulations and use transfer pricing as a strategic planning tool.
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Audit methodology
Our five step audit methodology offers a high quality service wherever you are in the world and includes planning, risk assessment, testing internal controls, substantive testing, and concluding and reporting
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Audit technology
We apply our audit methodology with an integrated set of software tools known as the Voyager suite. Our technology has been developed to produce quality audits that are effective and efficient.
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Financial reporting advisory
Our financial reporting advisers have the expertise to help you deal with the constantly evolving regulatory environment.
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Business architecture
Our business architects help businesses with disruptive conditions, business expansion and competitive challenges; the deployment of your strategy is critical to success.
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Cloud services
Leverage the cloud to keep your data safe, operate more efficiently, reduce costs and create a better experience for your employees and clients.
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Internal audit
Our internal audits deliver independent assurance over key controls within your riskiest processes, proving what works and what doesn’t and recommending improvements.
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IT advisory
Our hands on product experience, extensive functional knowledge and industry insights help clients solve complex IT and technology issues
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IT privacy and security
IT privacy and security should support your business strategy. Our pragmatic approach focuses on reducing cyber security risks specific to your organisation
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Payroll assurance
Our specialist payroll assurance team can conduct a review of your payroll system configuration and processes, and then help you and your team to implement any necessary recalculations.
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PCI DSS
Our information security specialists are approved Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs) that have been qualified by the PCI Security Standards Council to independently assess merchants and service providers.
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Process improvement
As your organisation grows in size and complexity, processes that were once enabling often become cumbersome and inefficient. To maintain growth, your business must remain flexible, agile and profitable
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Procurement/supply chain
Procurement and supply chain inputs will often dominate your balance sheet and constantly evolve for organisations to remain competitive and meet changing customer requirements
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Project assurance
Major programmes and projects expose you to significant financial and reputational risk throughout their life cycle. Don’t let these risks become a reality.
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Risk management
We understand that growing companies need to establish robust internal controls, and use information technology to effectively mitigate risk.
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Robotic process automation (RPA)
RPA is emerging as the most sophisticated form of automation used to help businesses become more agile and remain competitive in the face of today’s ongoing digital disruption.
Appoint: connecting with great independent directors and advisers just got a whole lot easier
At Grant Thornton New Zealand, we see how many of our clients benefit from having a strong governance structure. For this reason we are supporting an online initiative, launched this month, appointbetterboards.co.nz, which aims to makes it easier for New Zealand’s privately held businesses (PHBs) and Not for Profit organisations (NFPs) to connect with advisers and build stronger advisory boards and boards of directors. The website will also provide an opportunity for individuals like you to share your governance experience.
The vast majority of domestic businesses are either owner operated or family owned and independent directors and advisers are a rarity. This can be a serious deficiency for many companies. In our experience, once owners understand the service that good independent directors can provide, and the resulting improved business performance, they’re enormously relieved to bring someone on board. Developing an appropriate governance structure and appointing the right people reduces a business owner’s stress and provides them with the freedom to get back to thinking strategically about their business.
Competent advisers and directors have a very focussed and strategic approach and work to develop a clear plan of action. They work to ensure that their organisation continuously improves and increases its competitiveness. Being a director is more than just sitting around a board table. Directors must be out and about, walking around, seeing, questioning, talking and forming a view as to the culture, risks and performance of the business. It’s hard work but if it’s done well, it’s extremely satisfying – and makes a real difference!
Appoint founder, Simon Telfer is passionate about the betterment of New Zealand’s NFPs and PHBs. He believes these businesses are New Zealand’s unsung heroes - but that they need to be more robust and ambitious. “Often this requires an injection of confidence and experience through the appointment of an advisory board or independent directors,” he says. “I’ve seen a many businesses flourish and grow after implementing independent governance. One of the most important things an external advisor can do is give a business owner confidence – to grow, expand and do things differently.”
PHB owners need to take risks if they want their business to grow. A board of directors or advisers are there to bring wisdom and balance when an organisation finds itself at a crossroads. “It can be difficult for the owner to make these decisions alone,” says Telfer. “An owner cares deeply about the wellbeing of their business and wants to see its current values kept safe. But on the other hand, the owner sees the potential and the benefits of growth. It can be very useful to have an objective perspective to help decide which strategy best balances the opportunities and the risks.”
There are a number of aspects to consider once a business decides it needs some sort of governance:
What type of governance structure would best suit the business – an adviser, advisory board or a board of directors?
These options have differing formalities which typically should match the age and stage of the organisation. A business owner may well ask themself, are we big enough to take this step? In the majority of cases it is rarely too early to take the first step in this direction – appointing an independent adviser.
What skills and values are needed by those looking to be appointed?
This depends on the business’ strategy. Where does the business want to be in five years? What extra skills are needed to get there? If moving into the international market, the business will need a board member who’s had experience taking companies offshore. Or if numbers are not the owner’s strength, find a board member that has financial expertise. The owner also needs to consider the personal values of the potential adviser or director. If they want someone to coach them, get someone with mentoring experience. If the owner is strong minded, they need to find someone who’s firm, will challenge them and not be walked all over!
How much time is a director or adviser to spend on this role and how much they should be paid for their time?
A payment of some form is recommended as it formalises the relationship and creates an expectation from both parties. It takes away the possibility of the appointment being seen as a favour or meetings and involvement ranking at the bottom of a very busy to-do list. Advice should be sought regarding these decisions.
Telfer has been helping businesses answer these questions for a number of years. He created Appoint after realising there had to be an easier and more effective way to connect directors with companies. The website will allow business owners to cast a wider net than would usually be possible by simply relying on suggestions from their circle of friends.
When setting up a board, it’s important to ensure it is made up of a group of people with many different skills and different ways of approaching problems. Telfer is committed to ensuring that the pool of available directors on Appoint will reflect the makeup of the community at large. “The key reason for this is that varied backgrounds and experiences of individuals have been shown to lead to better collective decision making,” he says.
At Grant Thornton we have a proud history working with and advising New Zealand privately held business owners on how to grow their business. Our involvement with clients allows us to see when a business reaches a point where it may benefit from this level of advisory. An owner’s skillset is always limited in one way or another and often a company can then be limited in how it grows past the owners capability. If the owner isn’t specialised in strategy, this can severely limit the business. A valuable option is to bring on an adviser or director who has specialist experience in strategy to assist the business in getting to where it wants to be.
Further enquiries, please contact:
Pam Newlove
T +64 (0)9 308 2579
E pam.newlove@nz.gt.com