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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.
Budget 2016: will PPP opportunities go begging?
While public-private partnerships (PPPs) have been welcomed overseas, New Zealand is late to the party; the public is missing out on the infrastructure that could be provided, and the economy isn’t benefitting from the stimulation PPPs create.
PPPs deliver on many fronts. The use of private sector capital frees up Government (or local government) cash flows, while private sector expertise ensures projects are best in class and built to private sector standards. Generally speaking, the private sector with its scrutiny on the use of capital, will deliver on-time and within budget. The asset generated provides a facility for public use, while returning an investment stream to the private sector partner. PPPs also stimulate the wider economy.
Back in 2007 the Vector Arena project brought together the Auckland City Council, Quay Park Asset Management and Mainzeal to deliver a facility that will be transferred back to ratepayers in 2047. In the meantime, the Auckland region can enjoy the benefits of a 12,000 seat, world-class, multi-purpose, all weather arena. And a new inner-city sports stadium for Auckland could create another perfect PPP opportunity – the deliverable this time being a completely different stadium in our largest city, with good transport links and great public access.
So why aren’t we seeing more PPP solutions being delivered elsewhere in New Zealand?
Surely it’s time for less debate and more action, given that the world is awash with capital looking for a home, and New Zealand needs more infrastructure. Hospitals, prisons, schools and roads all make sound PPPs because they can deliver a consistent return on investment over a 20 to 40 year period, and all are for the national good.
The issue in New Zealand may be insufficient experience with PPPs and not enough political engagement. If we’re talking about business disruption and old models being no longer fit for purpose, PPP solutions have to be on the agenda and get more airplay.
This is where Budget 2016 could have an impact. The Government must articulate and actively promote the benefits of entering into PPPs because of the capital investment they deliver with no additional borrowing. With no mention of PPPs in the Budget speech since 2011, its time has come.
After seeing the success of the Hobsonville School PPP, the Ministry of Education has signalled its intent to create six new schools using PPPs (in Hamilton, Auckland and Christchurch). But the opportunities are far broader: think cross-harbour tunnels, rapid transit solutions, hospital research centres and those parts of the Christchurch rebuild that are still at concept stage.
The Budget challenge is for both the Government to identify the need, and for the private sector to embrace it.
As more PPPs are successfully undertaken, hurdles will diminish and the expertise in implementation will grow. In other countries, including the United Kingdom, PPP implementation is a specialism we simply aren’t seeing in New Zealand.
And just in case you are interested – yes there is comprehensive accounting guidance in this area to ensure that the economic substance of any PPP arrangement is fairly stated.
While not strictly a PPP, the proposed cash injection from ACC and the Super Fund into NZ Post to enable Kiwibank to extend its lending was a smart redistribution of capital. And that’s also the way PPPs should be assessed from a Government’s perspective.
A win-win, you might say, much like a well-executed PPP.
Further enquiries, please contact:
Mark Hucklesby
Partner, Audit and National Technical Director
Grant Thornton New Zealand
T +64 (0)9 308 2534
E mark.hucklesby@nz.gt.com