-
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.
The impact of Covid-19 on office spaces
15 Dec 2020As the pandemic continues, the impact of the COVID-19 virus remains far from clear. But the impact on our daily working lives is evident as, for many, the shift to long-term home working continues.
Home working is expected to continue well after the pandemic subsides. There has been much discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of working from home. What has been largely overlooked so far is that, as the demand for space reduces, businesses will be looking to reduce their property portfolio to cut costs and suit new working models.
Over the coming months, we expect the secondary sub-letting market to become flooded as businesses start looking for opportunities to sub-let their current office space. While a lot is said of the ‘death of the office’, in reality this is unlikely to be the case. Rather there will be a focus on substantial space reduction, although this won’t happen overnight, as significant workplace change take time.
Businesses will need to wait for breaks or expiries in their leases to release space without risk. So, for a company looking to reduce its property portfolio by 25% to 40%, it could take almost three to five years for them to get there. There are a number of steps that organisations can take now to start planning, including agreeing a new workplace strategy which will identify those sites to close or downsize, designing and costing the new workplace and bringing employees on board with proposed changes.
The planning process will take time and those businesses that start this change early will have a clear advantage over their peers, even if their first lease expiry is a significant time away.
While an evaluation of office space is needed, it is clear that we do still need a corporate space. Teams still need to meet, both with each other and with clients. What is likely to change, though, is the time spent in the office. For most employees, the day at the office will become an occasional planned event rather than the norm.
In the old office model, it was normal for every department to have its own dedicated space and other dedicated spaces such as a canteen and a client area. In the new office model, collaboration will be the main emphasis, both internally and with clients. Employee desk space will likely be reduced and will need to be booked in advance. Space will be retained for team or project collaboration and for important client meetings.
As the shift to long-term home working continues, it is vital that businesses are planning their move towards the new corporate and home working model.
