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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
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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
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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
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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.
Budget 2013: Time to tackle some meaningful issues
Time to tackle some meaningful issues
By its very nature politics is a fickle beast. To ensure they get in (or stay in) power, the Government needs to promote policies that appeal to enough voters to secure their success. However, the real dilemma arises when what’s best for the economy conflicts with the voters personal circumstances – or to be more specific their financial circumstances.
Politicians pander to this and instead of trying to improve the country’s economic position, the incumbent is more likely to focus on ways to ensure they remain in power for the next term.
This kind of short term thinking often results in election lolly scrambles that can create legacy issues with long term economic implications. Obvious examples of recent policies that have hindered our economic growth include the expansion of the working for families and interest free student loans that were announced back in 2005.
After the recent fallout that the Government faced over the carpark, cellphone and laptop tax proposals, the Ministers have come out stating that they will focus on bigger and more important tax matters. As a tax professional, it’s easy to appreciate the theory behind the proposed changes. Creating tax equality where possible is paramount to the integrity of a tax system. But it doesn’t seem this was fully thought through. Not only were the proposed changes massively unpopular and complex, they collected minimal revenue. The end result was an epic fail on both fronts.
What we need is a Government that has the courage to make bold decisions for the greater good of NZ Inc this 16 May. Inevitably they will be unpopular with certain voters, but to move forward we need to do things differently.
Eliminate interest free student loans
This policy is costing our nation billions and it needs to be changed. Every dollar borrowed costs New Zealand 37 cents. And the bottom line is; people don’t appreciate things they don’t have to pay for. A recent article on Stuff.co.nz detailing how to “game” the student loan system and repay the loan as slowly as possible is a good example of this – very valid economic advice for the borrower but it comes at the country’s expense. Studying should be encouraged and the student loan scheme allows anyone, irrespective of their financial background, to pursue tertiary education. But having the taxpayer fund the interest cost is an unsustainable model.
Increase the retirement age
We are riding a grey tidal wave that is going to hit our economy hard. Most people acknowledge the need for this to shift given the increased life expectancy and current economic climate, and wouldn’t begrudge a Government that increased the retirement age in a prescribed, staggered manner.
Targeted taxes on real estate acquisitions by non-residents
Hong Kong recently introduced stamp duties on the acquisition of residential properties acquired by persons who are not permanent residents. A flat rate of 15% on acquisition and a further tax on the sale ranging from 10 – 20% depending upon the length of time held. This concept is appealing for two reasons:
- It provides protection for domestic residents
- It creates a revenue stream from non-residents who otherwise contribute little to the domestic tax take. While this is not without flaws, and the details would need to be worked through, it works conceptually. A blanket capital gains tax would be preferable, but I cannot see any Government willing to tackle that monster.
There’s no doubt that some good things are happening at policy level, such as reviews into the taxation of savings and investment and the hotly debated taxation of multinationals. But there seem to be easier wins out there. Wouldn’t it be nice if the Government addressed some meaningful issues in this Budget, and generated positive change in our economy?
Further enquiries, please contact:
Dan Lowe
Grant Thornton New Zealand Associate, Tax
T +64 9 308 2531
E dan.lowe@nz.gt.com