-
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.
Protecting Intellectual Property
01 Mar 2017Growing, dynamic businesses will successfully differentiate themselves from their competitors in order to achieve better margins, increase market share or attract investment. They will seek to gain an ‘edge’ or a USP (‘Unique Selling Point’) over their rivals through better product design, specialist know-how, or through investment in their brand.
It is no surprise to learn that the most successful companies are those that successfully manage and exploit their USP and in particular their Intellectual Property (IP).
Intellectual Property can be considered to be the non-physical assets (that may or may not appear on a balance sheet) which are fundamental to the value and the success of a business. Intellectual Property itself is not limited to the large or specialist corporates and many businesses in Northern Ireland may be surprised to learn that they are likely to have some intellectual property of their own.
What is perhaps more surprising is that the majority of businesses take little or no action to protect the IP that they rely on for their success. Often the true value of IP is not fully appreciated until it is lost.
Before IP can be protected however, a company must first understand the IP that it owns. Specialist IP audits have been developed to address that need and will provide an understanding of key IP assets, their impact on the business and the market advantage the IP provides.
The nature of IP protection will depend upon the nature of the IP itself, but generally the remedy falls under one of five common forms:
- patents are probably best known and are designed to protect new inventions. Obtaining a patent can be a complex process but can offer protection to the business for up to 20 years;
- trade marks protect brands and can be made up of words, logos or even be sound or action based. The Nike ‘swoosh’ and the Intel ‘jingle’;
- design rights will protect the overall visual appearance of a product;
- copyright protects literature, art, music, websites, photographs, software, databases, films and print etc; and
- trade secrets can be an important part of your business and are protected under the law of confidentiality. Special consideration should be given when sharing such information with parties (including funders and advisors) and Non-Disclosure Agreements should be used in those circumstances.
It is equally important for a business to ensure that it is not infringing on another entity’s IP. The costs associated with infringement can be significant, and the receipt of a ‘Cease and Desist’ letter for an IP infringement can lead to operational difficulties for companies. Prior to the launch of a product or business it is therefore recommended that the necessary IP searches are performed.
Finally, understanding a business’s IP may also open up a number of potential tax incentives to companies. Research & Development tax credits are now generally well understood but the potential for an effective tax rate of 10% on qualifying income under the ‘Patent box’ rules is less well known and perhaps underutilized in Northern Ireland, but a very attractive prospect for those that qualify.