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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.
A struggle to find skilled workers; apprentices needed
Over half of the country’s businesses are struggling to recruit skilled workers
While New Zealand’s unemployment rate hit 7.3% in the last quarter of 2012, over half of the country’s businesses are struggling to recruit skilled workers, according to the latest research from the Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR).
The IBR reveals that 51% of businesses in New Zealand are finding it hard to source skilled workers – well above the global average of 39%. Of these figures, 17% found it very difficult, 34% difficult, 11% easy and 3% very easy. Of the 44 countries surveyed, New Zealand was ranked 12th in difficulty of recruiting skilled workers.
Tim Keenan, Partner and National Director, Privately Held Business for Grant Thornton New Zealand, said that what was even more illuminating were the key reasons given for the scarcity of skilled workers and ways of fixing the problem.
“Fifty-four per cent said that the increased migration of skilled workers leaving the country was the leading factor, 40% indicated a poor motivation or attitude amongst applicants and 26% a restriction on the flow of immigration into New Zealand,” he said.
The research indicated a concerning lack of both qualifications and work experience.
Seventy-four per cent noted a lack of required qualifications and 72% a lack of appropriate work experience with 63% citing a low number of applicants.
“When asked how to fix the problem, 98% wanted the Government to actively promote apprenticeships and other youth training initiatives.
“A business is nothing without its people, just as a strategy is nothing without the people to drive it forward. The best people boost productivity, save a business time and money, and ultimately grow the organisation. The shortage of skilled workers reported by business leaders should, therefore, provoke real concern, especially at a time when unemployment is running so high,” he said.
“It is good to see that the Government has already started to take note of these concerns with its recent revamp of the apprenticeship system with financial incentives for employers and workers to participate.
“Another area to look at is improving dialogue between educational institutions and business leaders to ensure there is a close relationship between courses offered and skills needed. It is of concern that we have young people leaving tertiary education with diplomas and degrees without the appropriate skills for today’s work environment,” he said.
Christchurch rebuild:
The Christchurch rebuild has already created its own challenges over the last twelve months as demand for construction, engineering and geotechnical skill sets outstrip supply. This is to be expected and understood given the magnitude and impact of the earthquakes on this region. However there is not the time to train in the circumstances and these roles are being filled by overseas skilled workers.
A number of programmes are being promoted locally and by central government to encourage unskilled workers and those that are unemployed to apply for new roles that are being created each day within the construction sector in Canterbury.
“These skill shortages are only going to get more severe as the Christchurch rebuild picks up pace. Already we are seeing firms seek creative solutions by recruiting overseas to fill the skill gaps that we now face in this country. The skills and work ethic of the overseas talent appears to be at good levels resulting in repeat visit to these countries for recruitment.
For example, engineering consultancy Aurecon has increased its workforce from 60 to 160 in Christchurch since the earthquakes and the number of overseas born staff has increased from 10 to 60 in that time. Leighs Construction has recruited 23 Filipino builders with another group arriving this month – and we are only at the start of the rebuild,” he said.
Further enquiries, please contact:
Tim Keenan
Grant Thornton Partner and National Director, Privately Held Business
T 021 670 323
E tim.keenan@nz.gt.com