Auditing increases the reliability of your corporate information for all decision-makers - it's all about credibility and trust. This applies to the statutory...
We approach each audit with sharp thought, straight talk and common sense. In addition to verifying that financial results are fairly presented and meet...
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Audit of annual and consolidated financial statements
We place particular emphasis on customized solutions and international service and adapt our services to your needs.
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Assurance related advisory services
Assurance related advisory services are based on the knowledge and expertise that are the staff of life of our auditors.
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Global audit technology
We apply our global audit methodology through an integrated set of software tools known as the Voyager suite.
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Accounting related consulting
Accounting in accordance with UGB, US-GAAP or IFRS is in constant motion. The integration of new regulations into their own accounting systems poses special challenges for companies.
At Grant Thornton, tax is a key part of our organisation and our award-winning teams can offer you a range of solutions, whatever the size of your business or...
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Corporate Tax
We are your problem solvers for corporate tax issues
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Restructuring, Mergers & Acquisition
Expertise and creativity for the perfect structure
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International Tax
We are here, whenever our clients require our assistance
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Transfer pricing
We are your experts for an optimal transfer pricing structure
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Indirect Tax & Customs
We take care of your indirect taxes so you can take care of your business
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Private Wealth
We are your competent partner in the field of Private Wealth Tax Services
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Real Estate Tax
We are a valuable partner at every stage of your property's life
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Global Mobility Services
Local roots and global networking as a secret for successful assignment management
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Advisor for Advisor
As advisors for advisors, we support in complex situations
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Accounting & Tax Compliance Services
Grant Thornton Austria - Your Partner for Experts for Accounting & Tax Compliance Services. In an evolving regulatory landscape, efficient accounting, tax compliance, and financial statement preparation processes are crucial for maintaining an accurate and up-to-date view of your company’s financial position while ensuring compliance with all legal requirements. We provide tailored solutions that not only save your time and resources but also ensure compliance with complex regulations. Our experts are here to support you, allowing you to focus on your core business.
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Payroll & People Advisory Services
Ensuring Compliance, Efficiency, and Strategic HR Solutions In an evolving legal landscape, it is crucial for companies of all sizes to have efficient and legally compliant payroll accounting systems. The ever-changing regulations and increasing complexity make this an ongoing challenge. At Grant Thornton Austria, we provide comprehensive, precise payroll processing as part of our Payroll & People Advisory Services. Additionally, we offer customized advisory services to help clients optimise their HR strategy, improve operational efficiency, and minimize potential risks.
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Tax Controversy Services
Your Partner when it matters most! In increasingly complex environment and considering frequent changes in tax regulations, businesses are facing intensified scrutiny from tax authorities. This has resulted in a significant rise of complex tax audits, investigations and potential disputes. Our Tax Controversy Services are tailored to help you navigate these challenges proactively and effectively. Our experts will guide you through all stages of tax proceedings, ensuring robust defence of your position and advising you on preventive measures to minimize the risk of future tax disputes.
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Tax Technology Services
Your digital partner for an efficient future! In an increasingly digitalised business world, companies must constantly look for optimisations and adjustments to ensure their long-term success. In order to best prepare for the future and to achieve efficiency increases and process optimisations in the digital area, the experts at Grant Thornton Austria are at your side as a reliable partner as part of our Tax Technology Services.
As your business grows, our advisory services are designed to help you achieve your goals. Successful growth often means navigating a complex array of...
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Valuation
Valuations are a core competence of Grant Thornton Austria. As auditors and tax advisors we combine profound know-how with our practical experience to offer you customized solutions for your valuation assignment. Our industry expertise is based on years of services to our clients, including listed companies as well as owner-managed companies with an international focus. We advise on valuation matters related to arbitration and provide expert opinions.
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Forensic Services
When it comes to risks in business, our experts are on hand. We support you not only in suspicious cases or in disputes, but also develop suitable strategies in the area of prevention to avoid serious cases as far as possible. Our Cyber Security team helps you to keep your networks and applications secure and is quickly on hand in the event of a security leak.
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Cyber Security
Cyber incidents, IT system failures, the resulting business interruptions and the loss of critical data are one of the greatest business risks for companies. Recent cases underline the need for strategic protection and awareness of the issue and require a holistic approach and technical expertise that takes into account all legislative, regulatory and technical aspects of cyber security to protect companies against the daily increase in cybercrime incidents.
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Sustainability Services
Sustainability is no longer a trend, but the only way to create a future worth living. Our experts will support you in successfully developing your sustainability strategy and preparing your sustainability reporting in compliance with regulations.
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Transaction Support
We can support you throughout the transaction process – helping achieve the best possible outcome at the point of the transaction and in the longer term.
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Merger & Acquisition
Companies start new activities and separate from old ones, cooperate and merge. Markets and competitive conditions are subject to constant and increasingly rapid change. As a result, existing business models are changing. Some companies have to restructure and reorganize. But new business opportunities also open up.
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Restructuring & Going Concern Forecast
Restructuring & Going Concern Forecast: Bundled services for your strategic, operational and financial decisions offer the right answers for companies, banks, shareholders and investors.
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Internal Audit
Internal Audit helps companies and organisations to achieve their goals by analysing and evaluating the effectiveness of risk management, controls and management and monitoring processes. Internal Audit focuses on independent and objective audit (assurance) and consulting services that improve the value creation and business activities of your company.
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Expert dispute resolution & advisory
Grant Thornton Austria offers comprehensive services in the field of business-oriented expert services with a broad range of competencies from banking to communication. The core activity of experts is the objective recording of findings and the preparation of expert opinions - regardless of all external circumstances. Our experts Gottwald Kranebitter and Georg H. Jeitler, as sworn and court-certified experts, ensure that the highest professional standards and the principle of objectivity are observed.
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Blockchain and Crypto-Asset
Blockchain as a carrier technology for crypto currencies and smart contracts, among other things, is becoming increasingly important. Grant Thornton Austria offers comprehensive audit and confirmation services for block chain technologies and business models.
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Corporate & Brand Strategy
We support you in developing growth strategies for a sustainably successful future and in maximizing the potential of your brand.
Grant Thornton supports clients on their digital transformation journey. Our experts offer customised cyber security solutions for secure digital assets, use...
In addition to our service lines - Audit, Tax, Accounting & Payroll and Advisory - Grant Thornton Austria also offers international services. Our experts...
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International Project Coordination
Our International Engagement Management team is your central point of contact for international projects in all our service lines. We take care of operational project management for you and act as a central point of contact and coordination for your projects. We support companies that start international projects from Austria as well as companies from abroad that want to gain a foothold in Austria or use Austria as a hub for their international projects, especially in the DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and CEE region.
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International Desks
As a member of the Grant Thornton network, we guarantee direct access to resources from our worldwide circle of partners. This global connection enables us to seamlessly integrate highly qualified specialists and industry experts from different countries around the world into our teams. Through our broad perspective and diverse expertise, we ensure that we can optimally meet the individual requirements of our clients in an increasingly globalised economy.
We combine industry knowledge, expertise and experience
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Blog
Thinking outside the Big Blue box
18 Sep 2013Scott Barnes responds to UK Competition Commission proposals
I was interviewed recently by the Daily Telegraph and among the many topics discussed was the UK Competition Commission proposals to shake up the audit industry. The Commission has shied away from mandatory rotation but FTSE350 companies could be obliged to put their audit contract out to tender at least once every five years.
This is a step in the right direction, but there’s still a long way to go.
Currently just four firms audit all but one of the FTSE100 companies. This is largely a legacy of institutional prejudice against mid-tier firms such as Grant Thornton. The suggestion being that because we do not currently audit the very largest firms in the FTSE, we are not able to audit any substantial listed business. This is a complete non-sequitur and is also quite clearly wrong.
We audit around 300 listed companies every year. We are the auditors for a large chunk of the AIM market, and a number of businesses in the FTSE350. In addition we deliver tax and advisory work for 40 of the FTSE100. We are also the leading auditor to the UK public sector, where organisations certainly match FTSE 100 entities in terms of scale and complexity.
The issue comes back to the old adage that no one ever got fired for hiring Big Blue (IBM). Some existing audit relationships go back 60 years and the pace of change is glacial. Whilst consistency is a strong argument, so too is transparency and putting audits out for tender is simply good governance.
The response from the vested interests is obvious: ‘Well, Grant Thornton would say that wouldn’t they?” But we are not trying to gain a 25% market share. We don’t want to be the smallest of a Big 5. We simply recognise that conflicts arise in the FTSE100 audit market due to the small number of players.
There is no silver bullet. A range of additional measures – from tighter restrictions on providing non-audit services, to subsidiaries looking for alternatives to their group auditor – would augment current proposals. But the best thing would be a change of attitudes.
News that Standard Chartered and HSBC have put their audits out to tender is positive. Let’s hope a few more of their FTSE100 peers follow.
Scott Barnes is CEO of Grant Thornton UK LLP.
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