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Business Risk Services
Our Business Risk Services team deliver practical and pragmatic solutions that support clients in growing and protecting the inherent value of their businesses.
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Corporate Finance and Deal Advisory
We offer a dedicated team of experienced individuals with a focus on successfully executing transactions for corporates and financial institutions. We offer an integrated approach, with our corporate finance specialists working seamlessly with tax and other specialists to ensure that every angle is covered.
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Economic Advisory
Our all-island Economics Advisory team combines expertise in economics and business with a wealth of experience across the public and private sectors.
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Forensic Accounting
We have a different way of doing business by delivering real insight through a combination of technical rigour, commercial experience and intuitive judgment. We take pride in delivering responsive and tailored solutions to all our clients, capitalising on the wealth of experience housed within our Belfast and wider Forensics team
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People and Change Consulting
The Grant Thornton People & Change Consulting practice works with clients on these issues as well as on all aspects of how they attract, retain, engage develop, deploy and lead their people.
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Restructuring
We work with a wide variety of clients and stakeholders such as high street banks, private equity funds, directors, government agencies and creditors to implement solutions which provide the best possible outcomes.
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Technology Consulting
Motivating and assisting our clients to pursue, maintain and secure the benefits of digital solutions is at the core of our Digital Transformation teams' agenda and goals. We work with business leaders to deliver efficient digital strategies and operating models that provide new or enhanced capabilities.
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Corporate and International Tax
Northern Ireland businesses face further challenges as they operate in the only part of the UK that has a land border with a country offering a lower tax rate.
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Employer Solutions
Our team specialises in remuneration and incentive planning and works closely with employers, shareholders and employees to ensure that business strategies are aligned and goals achieved in the most tax efficient, cost-effective manner.
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Entrepreneur and Private Client Taxes
Our team of experienced advisors are on hand to guide you through any decision or transaction ranging from the establishment of new business ventures, to realising value on exit, to succession planning and providing for loved ones.
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Global Mobility Services
Grant Thornton Ireland offer a different approach to managing global mobility. We have brought together specialists from our tax, global payroll, people and change and financial accounting teams across Ireland and Northern Ireland, while drawing on the knowledge and insights of our global network of over 143 offices of mobility professionals to provide you with a holistic approach to managing global mobility.
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Outsourced Payroll
Our outsourced service provides valued service to over 150 separate PAYE schemes. These ranging from 1 to 1000 employees, working for micro, SME and global employers. The service is supported by the integrated network of tax and global mobility teams and the wider Grant Thornton network delivering a seamless service. Experienced staff deliver a personal service built around your business needs.
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Tax Disputes and Investigations
Our Tax Disputes and Investigation team is made up of tax experts and former HMRC investigators who have years of experience in dealing with a variety of tax investigations. Our expertise and insight can guide you through all interactions, keeping your cost at a minimum while allowing you to continue with the day to day running of your business.
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VAT and Indirect Taxes
At Grant Thornton (NI) LLP, our team helps Northern Ireland businesses manage their UK and global indirect tax risks which, as transactional taxes, can quickly become big liabilities.
2019 was the year of uncertainty, will 2020 be different?
07 Jan 2020The New Year is a time for reflection but also a time to look forward. As another year ends, we can learn lessons from the past to help us prepare for the future.
As we look back at 2019, it was hard to read a newspaper article without the word uncertainty (or Brexit) being used – the economists even had an uncertainty index! Three years after the referendum in June 2016, Brexit still dominated the headlines and 2019 experienced a number of missed deadlines, a new Prime Minister, and a general election in December. It was a year of both political and economic uncertainty, globally and locally. Trade wars between the United States and China led to more global uncertainty. In the UK, interest rates remained at historically low levels, however, business confidence was fragile. The low unemployment figures may have masked the quality of the jobs created.
At a local level, the wider economic and political environment had an economic impact and there were a number of high profile insolvency appointments. However, the insolvency regime in Northern Ireland (and the rest of the UK) is recognised as one of the most robust regimes around the globe. It is a fundamental role of the Insolvency Practitioner to rescue companies and save jobs, and only when this is not possible are alternative options explored. Although some sectors in Northern Ireland experienced growth, the economy remained fairly flat in 2019, with growth at circa 1%.
As we look forward to 2020, the economic outlook in Northern Ireland and the UK remains cautious, with economic growth again forecast at circa 1%. It would appear that the recent Conservative victory in the general election may create some political certainty in Westminster. It would also seem that Brexit appears to be “getting done”, with the withdrawal bill being passed prior to Christmas and with 31 January 2020 being the date for exiting. However, the implications for Northern Ireland are still unknown. At the time of writing the local political stalemate remains, but there is hope that the Stormont assembly will be restored early in the New Year.
It is hoped, therefore, that political certainty creates an economic environment in which local businesses have stability and the confidence to grow. However, although the withdrawal deal has been approved, the trade negotiations are only starting. This will again create economic uncertainty for a number of companies in Northern Ireland. There appear to be mixed messages regarding customs checks at the ports and a border in the Irish Sea. Only time will tell how this works in practice.
Therefore, what can we learn from 2019 that will help us in 2020? The economic climate may cause financial distress for some companies, however, we should all take comfort that if professional advice is required, there are options available and the administration process can deliver successful outcomes.