-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Data and IP – The threat from within
18 Feb 2020It might be said that the lifeblood of the modern business is no longer its physical assets, such as its premises, goods or even the cash in its accounts. Whilst these assets are of course extremely valuable to any business, it is crucial that modern firms do not ignore intangible assets such as their intellectual property (IP) and the data they hold about themselves and their clients. Assets such as client lists, business plans, profitability details, and other commercially sensitive material, are often stored in digital form only, and are therefore, more challenging to secure and protect.
We are made aware of threats to our digital property on an almost daily basis. Most of what we hear, however, is focussed on external threats from hackers or other cyber-criminals. Protecting your business against these external threats is very important – but firms should also remain conscious of the threat that might come from within.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in data breaches and thefts by ‘insiders’ – i.e. current employees or even directors of the business. In 2019, it is thought that 34% of data breaches involved internal actors (up from 28% in 2017).*
So how do you protect your company? Of course not all employees or directors in a business go to work each day with the intention of stealing from the firm – but it is nonetheless essential for businesses in all sectors to take sensible precautions to protect themselves. This protection need not cost the earth. Many successful insider data thefts, in particular those involving small to medium sized businesses, could have been prevented by the implementation of a sensible IT policy, with clear rules and permissions across staffing levels. Many firms, for example, seek to limit the ability of employees to insert USB keys or other portable storage hardware into laptops or desktops owned by the firm. This can be achieved at minimal cost (or none at all) in many cases, and will help ensure that the downloading or removal of firm data must be pre-authorised by a nominated person.
Similarly, with the increase in remote working across almost all sectors in recent years, a clear remote working policy is extremely important to any firm - as is the IT approach, which accompanies it. Many firms limit an employee’s ability to access company data from certain insecure networks – like those in coffee shops or other public places. Again, this is relatively inexpensive to implement but may prove invaluable protection for the firm. These are only two examples of easily achievable and inexpensive solutions you might consider to protect your business – there are many others.
Compare the costs of these solutions to the potential financial and reputational impact of a successful insider theft - and the investment of time and money to protect the business will certainly seem more than reasonable.
*Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report 2019
