Turning a challenge into an opportunity: Belgian tax adviser launches Transfer Pricing Services Group

If you haven’t already noticed, the Base Erosion & Profit Shifting project (BEPS) is in full flow– the OECD/G20 led project is the biggest change to the basis of corporate taxation in a generation. With actions 8 and 11 of the BEPS Action Plan focused specifically on the use of transfer pricing, many multinationals and their advisers are on the back foot. However, in the opinion of Marie-Lise Swinne, a Corporate Tax Partner at Tax Consult in Brussels, the transfer pricing challenges should be seen by professional advisers as a huge opportunity. Therefore, Ms. Swinne has initiated Alliott Group’s Transfer Pricing Services Group to position the alliance as the natural partner to mid-market international companies needing multi-jurisdictional support.

In recent months, Alliott Group’s umbrella International Tax Services Group has evolved to include a VAT/Indirect Tax Services Group and now a Transfer Pricing Services Group. Key players across the international alliance will be working together under Marie-Lise’s leadership to develop a global transfer pricing offering. Marie-Lise comments:

“BEPS has created increasing demand from international midmarket companies for transfer pricing advice and documentation support. Many international groups’ use of transfer pricing can be unsophisticated - that creates risk. As an international alliance of accountants and tax advisers with big firm experience, we have a real opportunity to win work from companies positioned below the very large international corporations. Many buyers of tax services want to procure advice from outside the Big Four, but they are afraid of the risks. Our combined portfolio of international clients shows that we have the expertise to help these companies– we must now build the Alliott Group name to make sure we are seen as a real alternative.”

There is a strong nucleus of transfer pricing expertise (e.g. benchmarking studies, transfer pricing documentation and Country by Country Reporting) within the global membership- the creation of the Transfer Pricing Services Group ensures that this knowledge can now be shared more effectively so that member firms can extend the services available to their clients.

For more information

Contact Marie-Lise Swinne at Tax Consult.