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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.
Training in the world of remote working
30 Mar 2021In the autumn, a new intake of graduates started their Chartered Accountant training contracts, just as further lockdown measures were introduced. In the new world of remote working for the majority of employees, what struggles will these new trainees face, and how will they gain the experience and knowledge that was previously picked up in the office environment?
Looking specifically at the audit sector, employees would usually gain valuable ‘on the job’ experience from day one by taking on the junior role within an audit team. This would involve attending a client site with the team, and provide the ability to ask questions and share knowledge within that audit team, both of which are invaluable to their learning.
With many audits now being performed remotely and employees working from their homes, new graduates are missing out on information they would normally pick up just by being in the room with the team and listening to interactions with clients. This is just one example of how remote working is affecting people starting out on their career. For all businesses in these circumstances a strong culture of openness and communication is vital.
Where face-to-face interaction and impromptu meetings are not possible, new recruits must be encouraged to lift the phone to more senior members of the team. Employers should foster this culture of collaboration within teams, as only by doing this will younger team members gain the understanding and knowledge to progress in the organisation.
In addition to on the job learning, employers should make the most of online training where possible. An online learning management system (LMS) can be a cost effective solution that can roll- out training whether employees are in the office or working remotely. A LMS can also support other business functions that are especially important right now. For example, the communication and collaboration features of a LMS allow all those within the team to work and interact online within the same platform. A LMS can also be integrated with third party tools such as video conferencing and document sharing, making it the centre for many work-related activities.
For young professionals, a training contract is not only made up of the technical aspect, but also of making personal and professional connections within peer groups and the wider firm. In a time when we cannot hold social events in person, employers must devise innovative ways to nurture these connections virtually. This can be through online social events, such as post-work virtual drinks or regular department catch-ups via video calls. This will give new trainees a chance to put faces to names, and to understand the dynamic and the culture of the firm which is not possible when working in isolation.
One of the most important aspects of a firm and the reason that employees remain after training contracts is the culture and the relationships that they build over their time working there. Employers must be cognisant of the fact that if they do not put the work in now to nurture the latest intake of new trainees, there will be a gap in the workforce both in technical skills and each individual’s connection and loyalty to the firm.
See our Audit and Assurance offerings
