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Every business is different, the challenges they face vary but all need bespoke solutions. Businesses also share common ground when it comes to striving for reducing costs and improving efficiencies.
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Royalty and intellectual property audit
Intellectual property (IP) is valuable and one of the challenges for you as an IP owner, whether in film, TV, book publishing or consumer products, is ensuring that you are receiving all royalties due to you.
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Pensions
Assurance and financial reporting is key, and reporting with independent opinion gives confidence to trustees to support their governance processes.
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Healthcare assurance
Our healthcare assurance team supports local and national NHS bodies improve the quality of their clinical data and cost information to accurately reflect the care delivered
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Contract assurance
We know how complex accounting for large contracts can be. The services sector relies on successful deals and risks being isolated and understood.
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Brexit and political risk advisory
We can help you navigate political volatility.
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Business consulting
Challenges are specific and solutions do not translate perfectly from one business to another, which is why you told us you want a fully customised approach to professional services.
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Corporate simplification
Having too many companies in your group structure can be expensive, and the changing financial reporting and regulatory landscape can lead to additional compliance work.
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Economic consulting
Bespoke guidance grounded in complex economic theory and practical sector insight to help you make the right decisions.
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Our FAAS team can support your finance function with the flexible resource they need to get results.
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Governance advisory
Helping you future proof your governance and decision-making structures
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To ensure the continuity of service you expect, our International Business Centres (IBC), led by our experts from around the world, work together to coordinate and provide global delivery.
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People advisory
Create value by attracting, retaining and developing an agile and resilient workforce for continued business success.
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Strategy
Our Strategy and Modelling capabilities are focused on helping management teams make better, more rigorous and quantified business decisions
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Respond: Data breach, incident response and computer forensics
Are you prepared for a cyber failure? We can help you avoid data breaches and offer support if the worst happens.
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Comply: Cyber security regulation and compliance
Cyber security regulation and compliance is constantly evolving. Our team can support you through the digital landscape.
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Protect: Cyber security strategy, testing and risk assessment
Cyber security threats are constantly evolving. We’ll work with you to develop and test robust people, process and technology defences to protect your data and information assets.
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Our credentials
Search our transactions to see our experience in your sector and explore the deals advisory services we've delivered.
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Corporate finance
We combine award-winning technical expertise with the intuition, insight and confidence gained from our extensive sector experience and a deeper understanding of our clients.
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Debt advisory
Our debt advisory team can find the right lender to help you in restructuring. Find out how our experts can support you.
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Financial modelling
Models are at the heart of all business decisions. Whether you're looking to raise finance, buy or sell a business, assess strategic options, or just plan for the future, you're going to need a forecast. This is likely to come from a financial model.
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Operational deal services
Most transactions fail to achieve their goals. There are many reasons for failure.
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Restructuring
Protect and realise value throughout times of uncertainty, stress and distress
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Transaction services
We will identify key business issues through our rigorous and tailored risk and business analysis process. Our Transaction Services team will then work with you to resolve these issues with a reporting method designed to suit each client and their preferred medium.
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Valuations
The Valuations team has wide experience in valuations of private companies. We serve enterprises of all types and sizes, covering a wide range of industries
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The ESG agenda
Shape your ESG agenda by identifying the right metrics, sustainable development and potential business value impact.
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ESG driven business transition
Whatever your ESG strategy, we can support your organisation as it evolves while maximising efficiency and profitability.
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ESG programme and change management
Do you have the right capabilities to drive the delivery of your ESG strategy to realise your targets?
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ESG risk management
You must protect, comply, understand and influence to successfully manage the risk involved with ESG issues. We can help.
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ESG strategy, risk and opportunity identification
We can help you clearly define your ESG Strategy, with the risks and opportunities identified and managed.
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Create value through effective ESG communication
Building trust and engagement with your stakeholders on your ESG strategy.
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ESG metrics, targets and disclosures
The pressure to report your ESG progress is growing. Do your targets measure up?
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ESG governance, leadership and culture framework
Make the most of ESG opportunities by effectively embedding your strategy across your organisation.
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ESG and non-financial assurance
Support your board to be confident in supplying robust information that withstands scrutiny.
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Actuarial and risk
Grant Thornton's Actuarial and Risk team provides market leading actuarial and risk management advice to clients in the financial services sector and further afield. We consult extensively to the life insurance, general insurance, health insurance and pensions sectors as well as providing financial modelling and financial instrument valuation services more widely.
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Business consulting
The Financial Services Business Consulting (FSBC) practice is able to harness the skills, knowledge and experience within the Financial Services Group, to provide a full suite of services across the delivery lifecycle, from strategic advisory to assurance. FSBC provides market-leading consulting and advisory services to the banking sector.
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Business risk services
Our market-driven expertise helps firms keep growing and manage risk in an evolving regulatory landscape.
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Financial crime
Helping you fight financial crime in a constantly changing environment
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Financial services tax
In the Financial Services tax team, we provide tax advice to businesses from all over the world. We combine technical expertise with a commercial approach based on experience and deep industry understanding.
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Insurance audit, assurance and advisory
Today’s financial services environment is the subject of increasingly rigorous governance, accounting and regulatory requirements. In the light of this, we provide a truly robust and independent service to undertake external audits with a defined, industry-specific audit approach that is specifically tailored to the relevant sector.
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Leasing and consumer finance
We are a unique team in the accountancy profession and combine vast industry, product, and asset knowledge with a core service offering which adds real value to our clients.
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Litigation support
Our in-depth understanding of the industry, and our sensitivity to conflicts make us the ideal choice for law firms and lawyers looking for unrivalled levels of service. We provide a wide range of litigation support and investigation services to the financial services industry.
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Regulatory and compliance
Regulatory and compliance - We provide an exceptional level of regulatory and compliance support to both retail and wholesale organisations across the financial services industry.
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Risk and capital management
We help businesses determine which capital risk management approach fits them best, ensuring that compliance is a natural by-product and not the primary driver. While the regulatory dimensions of capital risk management are growing at an unprecedented pace, it is our understanding of the links between risk, capital and performance that benefits our clients.
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Transactions and restructuring
We carry out a wide range of transaction support services, including due diligence and business reviews to support acquisitions, lending transactions, acting as reporting accountants for financial businesses seeking a listing or trading on the capital markets.
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Computer forensics
Computer forensics - We can report on metadata and provenance, internet activity, external connections and copying, destruction of evidence, smart devices, and we can conduct detailed forensic searches.
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Corporate intelligence
Corporate intelligence often involves cross-border complexities. Our experienced team can offer support.
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Cyber advisory
Our cyber team helps you to identify and guard against potential cyber risks to your organisation and mitigate against data leaks and hacks
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Disputes advisory
Our team advises on quantum and other accounting or financial issues in commercial disputes, including acting as expert witness in litigation and arbitration.
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Financial crime
Helping you fight financial crime in a constantly changing environment
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Financial services investigations
We are market leaders in conducting and supporting investigations within the financial services industry
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Forensic data analytics
Our forensic data analytics team are helping businesses sift the truth from their data. See how we can help your firm.
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International arbitration
International arbitration has become the principal dispute resolution method for the determination of complex international commercial disputes.
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Matrimonial services
We provide a distinctive, high-quality and personalised service to family lawyers and individuals across the UK both pre and post-marriage.
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Monitoring trustee and competition services
Monitoring trustee and competition services - We provide independent Monitoring Trustee services to competition, financial, security and other regulatory bodies.
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Forensic investigations and special situations
Do you need clarity in an uncertain situation? If you're accused of wrongdoing we can help you get the facts right.
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Public sector advisory
To deliver excellent public services, local and central government need specialist support.
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Public sector audit and assurance
As a leading UK auditor, we have unparalleled insights into the risks, challenges and opportunities that you face.
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Public sector consulting
Helping public sector organisations maintain oversight of services and understand what's happening on the ground.
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Public sector governance and risk
Although arguably necessary to bring order to public financing, the impact of the accelerated public sector funding cuts represents an unprecedented scale of funding reduction. While the sector has so far risen to the challenge, enduring service and financial pressures create risks and opportunities and have particular implications for governance, risk management and internal control.
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Cryptoasset recovery
Get guidance and technical expertise on digital finance and cryptoasset recovery from our dedicated crypto hub.
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Grant Thornton Offshore
Grant Thornton Offshore is our one-stop global solution for insolvency, asset recovery, restructuring and forensics services.
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Contentious estates and family disputes
Managing complex, high net worth and sensitive issues such as divorce to resolution
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Corporate intelligence
When you're embarking on recovery proceedings, you have just a small window of opportunity to take meaningful action.
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Litigation support
Our in-depth understanding of the industry, and our sensitivity to conflicts make us the ideal choice for law firms and lawyers looking for unrivalled levels of service. We provide a wide range of litigation support and investigation services to the financial services industry.
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Personal insolvency
We are a leading provider of personal insolvency services, delivering practical solutions in a sensitive manner, maximising recoveries for creditors or by helping individuals seeking for appropriate debt relief solutions.
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Expand into new markets
Broadening your business horizons.
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Finding the right international contacts
Introducing you to the people with the experience you need to succeed.
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Getting more out of your existing international operations
How to stay in touch with, and make the most of changing markets.
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Setting up in the UK
Practical advice and expert input for anyone moving into UK markets.
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Contingency planning and administrations
In times of financial difficulty, it is vital that directors explore all the options that are available to them, including having a robust ‘Plan B’.
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Corporate restructuring
Corporate restructuring can be a difficult time. Let our team make the process simple and as stress-free as possible.
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Creditor advisory
We act as financial adviser to mainstream lenders, credit funds, special situation funds, security trustees and surety providers.
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Debt advisory
Our debt advisory team can find the right lender to help you in restructuring. Find out how our experts can support you.
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Financial services restructuring and insolvency
Financial services restructuring and insolvency is a competitive marketplace. Our team can help you navigate this space.
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Pensions advisory services
Our pensions advisory service helps manage risk and agree funding strategies. Find out how we can help you.
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Restructuring and insolvency tax
Tax will often be crucial in a plan to restructure a distressed business. Our team can guide you through the process.
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Compliance assurance
Since the financial crisis of 2008 the governance and conduct of financial services firms has been under increasing scrutiny.
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Data analytics
Deeper insight through data analysis is becoming commonplace, increasing the value, commercial challenge and calibre of insight delivered to the business.
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Enterprise risk management
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) has been around for a long time, but many organisations have struggled to understand it or genuinely embrace it.
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Finance and risk management services
Our clients continue to prepare for and implement a range of new regulatory requirements, whilst having to navigate the uncertain macro-economic environment and structural change affecting the industry.
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Internal audit services
Recent high profile control failures and increased regulatory demands require organisations to gain independent and objective assurance over the effectiveness of internal controls and risk mitigation.
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People, culture and organisation
Whilst it is recognised that culture is a key enabler of strategy, the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors has placed greater focus on the importance of organisations’ culture.
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Projects, capital programmes and transformation
Delivering significant medium and long term shifts in strategic direction, competiveness or performance often requires effective delivery of significant and complex projects and transformation programmes.
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Technology risk services
Technology has been a key driver for success and operational efficiency in all industries.
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Third party and contract assurance
Delivery of critical business activities, both business as usual and projects, increasingly means working with external partners for goods and services.
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Advisory and tools to help you realise opportunities in capital allowances.
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Accurate returns, managing risk & maximising opportunity.
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Employer solutions
It's a well-known fact that, in business, people are your greatest asset.
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In recent years, there has been a domestic and global trend of Governments shifting emphasis from direct to indirect taxation. Globally, while corporation tax rates have generally decreased, VAT rates have risen.
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The Finance Act 2016 introduced the requirement for businesses like ours to publicise their tax strategies by the end of the 2018 financial year. We fully support such initiatives and believe that firms sharing their approach to tax can promote widespread transparency, build trust and benefit society as a whole.
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Private
You'll know just how important it is to maximise and protect your personal wealth.
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Real estate tax
The impact of the prolonged downturn continues to be felt in certain parts of the world but pockets of opportunity and optimism have emerged within the real estate. The UK real estate investment market has enjoyed high levels of capital inflow from a wide range of different investors groups and continues to be attractive.
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Research and development tax incentives
We can help you prepare optimised and robust research and development tax claims.
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We make it simple to stay compliant and avoid HMRC tax disputes
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We can help you manage your tax risk.
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Transaction and restructuring tax
Undertaking a transaction, such as fundraising, refinancing, acquiring or disposing of a business or assets, or a more fundamental restructuring is an important step. Businesses, lenders and stakeholders need to understand the impact of that transaction.
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Get insight and strategic support to take opportunities that protect resilience and drive UK and international growth.
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Helping recruitment companies take opportunities to achieve their goals in a market where talent and skills are key.
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We can help you find the right ingredients for growth in your food and beverage business.
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Tap into our range of support for travel, tourism and leisure businesses in this period of challenge and change.
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With multiple challenges and opportunities in the fast-evolving retail sector, make sure you are ready for them.
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Banking
Our expertise and insight can help you respond positively to long term and emerging issues in the banking sector.
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2020 is a demanding year for capital markets. Working with you, we're architecting the future of the sector.
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Our experienced expert team brings you technical expertise and insight to guide you through insurance sector challenges.
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Embracing innovation and shaping business models for long-term success.
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Pension provision is an essential issue for employers, and the role of the trustee is becoming increasingly challenging.
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Helping central and devolved governments deliver change to improve our communities and grow our economies.
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Delivering a successful transport or infrastructure project will require you to balance an often complex set of strategic issues.
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Helping local government leverage technical and strategic expertise deliver their agendas and improve public services.
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We provide commercial and strategic advice to assist your decision making in pursuing your objectives.
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Supporting you to achieve positive change in the UK charity sector.
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The education sector has rarely faced more risk or more opportunity to transform. You need to plan for the future.
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We are committed to helping change social housing for the better, and can help you make the most of every opportunity.
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We work with dynamic technology companies of all sizes to help them succeed and grow internationally.
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Take all opportunities to realise your goals in telecommunications: from business refresh to international expansion.
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Media
Media companies must stay agile to thrive in today’s highly competitive market – we’re here to support your ambitions.
Myth #1: “it's not necessary to formally assess contractors when they are clearly self-employed”
Since April 2021, all organisations except small private-sector businesses are in scope of the updated IR35 legislation.
When such an organisation is the end-user of the service of an individual operating via their personal service company (PSC) or similar intermediary, they must assess that individual’s status and provide them (and the agency/intermediary providing the individual, if applicable) with a Status Determination Statement (SDS). Failure to assess could mean the organisation is not demonstrating ‘reasonable care’ and could impact its wider IR35 and tax compliance.
Separate from IR35 and the recent changes, contractors engaging as sole-traders should also be assessed to ensure the engaging entity is treating them correctly for tax purposes.
If you’re the end user of services offered by individual’s PSC or similar intermediary, you must assess their IR35 status and provide them with an SDS.
If you’re not also their fee-payer then you must also give a copy of the SDS to the agency that engaged them, so that it can be passed on to the eventual fee-payer.
Failure to demonstrate this ‘reasonable care' could have consequences with respect to the wider IR35 and tax compliance of the organisation.
Where there is no PSC or similar intermediary in place and an individual is directly engaged as a sole-trader, it is also important to assess them in order to ensure it is appropriate to treat them as self-employed rather than employed. Again, this is also helpful from a wider tax compliance and governance perspective.
Myth #2: “classifying an arrangement as a fully outsourced service gets it out of IR35”
While there is some truth in the fact that an organisation does not need to assess individuals being provided as part of a genuine B2B composite service it receives, IR35 may still apply and formal assessment be necessary by the ‘end-client’, which may be the service provider in this case.
Sometimes it’s not clear who is the end-client. It will be necessary to consider various factors in order to confirm whether there is a genuine outsourced service, and this can be a complex area.
Crucially, an arrangement cannot simply be reclassified or rebadged as an outsourced service in order to avoid IR35. It’s instead necessary to look at the facts of the arrangement.
A fully outsourced service whereby an organisation is in receipt of a genuine B2B composite service by a service provider as opposed to the personal services of individuals, would give no obligation on that end user organisation to assess the individuals’ IR35 status.
However, there’s still an obligation for such individuals operating via a PSC or similar intermediary to be assessed. But this would be an obligation of the entity further down the contractual chain which is engaging with the individuals and their PSCs to effectively use their services in order to fulfil the outsourced service to their client.
IR35 may still apply and formal assessment is necessary, but the entity which is the ‘end-client’ of an individual’s service may have altered and sometimes it’s not clear who must perform this assessment. It will be necessary to consider various factors in order to confirm whether there is a genuine outsourced service, such as whether an organisation requests the services of specific individuals or has a right to ‘vet’ them. This can be a complex area whereby specialist advice may be required.
Crucially, an arrangement cannot simply be reclassified or badged as an outsourced service in order to avoid IR35. It’s instead necessary to look at the facts of the arrangement in order to determine whether IR35 would apply. This may include considering which entity would be considered the ‘end-client’ and would have the obligation to assess, and which entity (if different) would be the ‘fee payer’ and would need to operate PAYE if instructed to do so by the end client.
Therefore, while there is some truth in the fact that an organisation does not need to assess individuals being provided as part of an outsourced service it receives, there may indeed still be some important and complex IR35 considerations.
Myth #3: “if a contractor performs services for multiple organisations, then they are outside IR35, or self-employed”
When a contractor has multiple clients, this increases the likelihood that they are genuinely self-employed or outside IR35. However, this is only one factor in a myriad of considerations and all the key factors in relation to employment status should be considered to assess the nature of the engagement as a whole.
There’s no single test that defines status and the weighting of the relevant factors may vary depending upon the circumstances, and over time as case law and working practices evolve.
The fact that a contractor has multiple clients may be helpful to an outside IR35 determination, but it could also be of little or no significance, and may change from time to time, hence the need for both regular review and prior to each new engagement or extension.
When a contractor has multiple clients, this increases the likelihood that they’re genuinely self-employed if engaged as a sole-trader, or outside IR35 if operating via a PSC or similar intermediary. However, this is only one factor in a myriad of considerations for assessing employment status.
It’s possible, common even, for each of a contractor's engagements to be akin to an employment relationship in nature, just as a contractor with a single client might genuinely be self-employed or outside IR35. It’s necessary to consider the nature of each engagement without jumping to any conclusion in order to demonstrate ‘reasonable care’ – this is the approach that tribunal judges use and have dictated must be taken when considering status.
All the key factors in relation to employment status should be considered. There’s no single test that defines status and the weighting of the relevant factors may vary depending upon the circumstances, and over time as case law and working practices evolve.
It’s crucial to consider the nature of the engagement as a whole. The fact that a contractor has multiple clients may be helpful to an outside IR35 determination, but it could also be of little or no significance, and may change from time to time, hence the need for both regular review and prior to each new engagement or extension.
Myth #4: “it's safer to just assess all PSC contractors as inside IR35, or move them all to PAYE, possibly using an umbrella company”
While the use of a compliant umbrella arrangement may indeed be a solution, organisations should be aware of the existence of non-compliant arrangements and their common pitfalls in order to safeguard their use.
Alternatively, the blanket inside IR35 conclusion may not give rise to a short-term financial liability as there’s no loss of tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs). However, this approach does not demonstrate ‘reasonable care’ and could leave a business open to contractor disputes, greater costs and administration, as well as reputational risks.
Finally, some organisations have tried to sidestep IR35 through an outright ban on off-payroll engagements. By only engaging individuals via PAYE, they might do away with the administrative challenges of IR35 compliance, but will still face the commercial dangers mentioned above and may also be more costly.
While the use of a compliant umbrella arrangement may be a solution, the blanket inside IR35 conclusions does not demonstrate ‘reasonable care’ and could leave a business open to contractor disputes, greater costs and administration, as well as reputational risks.
Taking a blanket approach and assessing all contractors as inside IR35 and subject to PAYE may not give rise to a short-term financial liability in that there’s no loss of tax and NICs, hence there is technically no exposure to uncollected tax, NICs, interest, and penalties. However, there are a few dangers of this approach.
First, assessing an arrangement as inside IR35, regardless of the facts, is not meeting the legislative requirement for end users to take ‘reasonable care’. While not recommended, so long as the technicalities of the legislation have been complied with regarding issuing SDSs to the correct parties and responding correctly to any status disputes, there’s no loss of tax/NICs for which the assessing organisation can be pursued.
Second, a contractor in receipt of a clearly incorrect assessment or one which they feel does not accurately capture the facts of their engagement is more likely to appeal that determination via the statutory process. This itself can be an administrative burden with its own compliance pitfalls and one which may also strain the relationship with the contractor and/or the agency supplying them if applicable.
Third, this approach may incur unnecessary costs as over compliance would mean employers’ NICs (including the Health & Social Care Levy from April 2022) being paid when it may not be due had the engagement been assessed correctly, in addition to the incremental costs and risks of operating payroll.
Finally, and potentially most importantly, a blanket approach may give rise to wider commercial and reputational issues regarding talent attraction and retention.
Some organisations have tried to side-step IR35 through an outright ban on off-payroll arrangements. By only engaging individuals via PAYE, they might do away with the administrative challenges of IR35 compliance, but will still face the commercial dangers mentioned above and may also be more costly. A more agile organisation with a balanced yet robust approach to IR35 might be able to steal a march over competitors who operate a blanket IR35 approach or outright ban on PSCs.
While there’s nothing which precludes the engagement of contractors via umbrella companies and they can provide a useful solution, compliance is key. This should include awareness of the existence of non-compliant arrangements and their common pitfalls in order to try to safeguard their use.
Myth #5: “Organisations must use HMRC’s CEST tool to assess contractors IR35 status
HMRC do not state that it’s mandatory to use their Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST) tool to assess employment status for IR35/tax purposes. CEST also has some well-publicised limitations. There are alternative commercial assessment tools available and which take different approaches in attempting to overcome the shortcomings of CEST. While these naturally scale up perfectly for organisations with large populations of off-payroll workers, a good assessment tool can be invaluable as part of any ongoing process or one-off exercise to assess the status of contractors, regardless of population size, and should come at an affordable price per assessment.
There are a number of potential advantages to using an assessment tool, depending on which one you use. ESIP offers all the key features and was built using the collective expertise and experience of the employment tax team, who are also able to provide direct specialist input to clients where required, and keep them updated on wider issues, latest thinking and practice.
Our pricing model scales to suit populations of all sizes and our client base is broad, ranging from businesses who undertake one assessment per year to those who run 1,300 assessments per year.
We offer ESIP either on a licence fee basis with unlimited use, or as a one-off batch assessment which we can undertake on behalf of our clients. If you would like to find out more then please book a demo and obtain a bespoke quote here.
There are a number of commercial IR35 and status assessment tools available in addition to HMRC’s CEST, including ESIP. While these naturally scale up perfectly for organisations with large populations of off-payroll workers, a good assessment tool can be invaluable as part of any ongoing process or one-off exercise to assess the status of contract regardless of population size, and should come at an affordable price per assessment.
The best assessment tools can also be used to assess sole-trader engagements (i.e. not just those involving a PSC or similar intermediary), as well as provide a useful audit trail to monitor all off-payroll arrangements, and hence increase the scope and scale of their use.
There are a number of potential advantages to using an assessment tool, depending on which one you use:
- accuracy and consistency of assessment, avoiding unnecessary costs of over-compliance as well as the risks of under-compliance
- may help demonstrate ‘reasonable care’ being taken with regards to assessment
- independence from the end-client undertaking the assessment, particularly where the tool provides an approval process
- aids contractor dispute/appeal resolution, particularly if the tool provides a workflow for managing appeals
- provision of SDSs
- audit trail of assessments and the justification of these
- reminders when an arrangement needs to be assessed or re-assessed
- regular quality assurance reviews and tool updates following important tribunal cases
Our Employment Status Intelligence Platform (ESIP) offers all of these features and our pricing model scales to suit contractor populations of all sizes. Our ESIP client base is broad, ranging from businesses who undertake one assessment per year to those who run 1,300 assessments per year. ESIP was built using the collective expertise and experience of our employment team, who are also able to provide direct specialist input to IR35 clients where required, and keep our clients updated on wider issues, latest thinking, and practice.