Your business doesn’t stand still – it evolves.  All companies have a business cycle – from a startup to a mature company, and each stage presents its own set of opportunities and challenges. KPMG Enterprise advisers understand what it takes for you to be successful at each stage of your business, from idea to exit.

Assurance

The need for effective risk management and controls is crucial in an environment of increased scrutiny. It is important to minimize these risks in an entrepreneurial business, not only for the business itself, but also for the family, property holdings and capital. Implementing controls, securing new financing, efficient tax management and optimization can all have a positive impact on the bottom line of your  business.

Business planning

Developing a strong business plan is critical to the success of any startup business.  KPMG Enterprise works with entrepreneurs to help build robust plans that include detailed strategy around all aspects of their organization:  finance, sales and marketing, operations, supply chain, procurement and engineering.  As part of our business planning process, we look to assess current processes, analyze data for trends and identify the areas of greatest opportunity.

Business strategy services

When it comes to doing business, status quo will not work for long. There’s little doubt you’ll face ongoing threats, whether from new technologies, competition, or industry changes. As an owner-manager, you need to think about the future today so you can build a sustainable model for your business.

KPMG Enterprise advisers can work with you to review your business model and help identify strategic initiatives that will support your objectives. We do this through facilitated sessions focused on helping you develop the right strategy for your business – and by helping you execute, monitor and make ongoing adjustments to your strategy.

Cash and working capital management

When it comes to business costs, many entrepreneurs have challenges understanding their working capital requirements and how they can align their operations in order to maximize cash and reduce debt costs.  You may not realize there are tools and processes that can help you manage your working capital far more effectively than ever before.

KPMG Enterprise advisers working in member firms around the world can work with you to understand and forecast your cash flow streams, optimize your processes, and develop reporting policies to support and encourage better cash management. KPMG firms can also help facilitate training and skills transfer so any improvements can be sustained within your organization.

Corporate tax

Having an effective corporate tax program means keeping on top of trends and key issues. When tax changes or rulings are announced, timely analysis can help you understand how your business will be affected so you have time to adjust your tax processes accordingly.

KPMG Enterprise advisers in KPMG firms work with entrepreneurial businesses like yours to develop comprehensive plans that can manage or reduce your corporate tax burden. From assessing the effectiveness of your business structures to helping you identify tax savings opportunities, KPMG firms can work with you to develop a customized tax program that works for your business.

Cyber security 

When it comes to cyber security, the world is constantly changing. New threats come up every day, while information security is becoming a critical focus of governments and regulators. Do you know your biggest cyber threats? Are you managing and protecting your client information appropriately?

You might think because of your size or your location that you’re not at risk. That’s not the case. Every business faces cyber threats. KPMG Enterprise advisers can work with you to understand your biggest cyber threats and help you create a smart and cost effective approach to make sure your information remains safe – along with your reputation.

Data and analytics

New technologies and innovations are making it easier than ever to get data on your operations and customers. The question is: how can you go beyond the data to achieve actionable insights and use data to manage your risks, reduce your costs and grow your business?

KPMG Enterprise professionals can help you make sense of the data you have – and work with you to understand where your business is at compared to your competitors, locally and globally. Using data and analytics, you can respond to the shifting demands of your customers and make more informed decisions on how to achieve your goals going forward.

Exit strategies

Sometimes, an exit strategy rather than a succession plan is needed as there isn’t a next generation of family members who are ready, willing or able to continue the business.  The sale of your business is often a once-in-a-lifetime transaction, with just one opportunity to get it right. There are many options when considering an exit for the family business—KPMG Enterprise business advisers can work with you to examine the options available to you and assist with the transaction itself.

Expanding Internationally

When it comes to growth, you’re thinking beyond your borders. International expansion presents many opportunities, from expanding your market base to lowering your costs. It also presents unique risks – different regulatory rules and requirements, tax implications, and culture or language barriers.

KPMG Enterprise advisers span 156 different countries, providing you with access to the resources and information you need to be confident in your expansion strategy. We’ll leverage our global expertise through local experts to help you understand your risks and how you can mitigate them so you can take your business anywhere you might want to grow.

Family Business Governance

Starting a family business is easy, relatively speaking; sustaining it beyond a couple of generations is the hardest part. It’s often said that the typical family business goes from rags to riches and back to rags in three generations. Better governance of a family business can help improve performance and satisfy the expectations of all family members.  Establishing a governance framework that includes a family constitution and code of conduct for family members can help your family deal with changes in the business constructively. It requires your family to think through important scenarios before critical decisions have to be made and find agreement on important family and business goals.

Financing and M&A

Mergers and acquisitions can be a great way to grow or diversify, but navigating the options can be challenging, especially for entrepreneurial businesses. How can you be confident that the deal you’re making will achieve your desired outcomes?

KPMG Enterprise advisers  can help you get the most value out of a deal by providing unbiased advice across all stages of the transaction – from strategy development and target identification to implementation. Our firms can also work with you to evaluate financing options and structure debt solutions that may give you the financial flexibility you need to deliver on your growth plans.

Fraud risk management

Fraud, corporate crime, commercial disputes and litigation: any of these can negatively impact your reputation and undermine your stakeholders’ confidence. Regardless of your size, you should understand your key risks and have plans in place for mitigation.

KPMG Enterprise advisers can use investigative techniques, specialized technologies and forensic accounting to help you prevent and resolve disputes. If an incident has occurred, we can conduct national and international investigations to help preserve evidence, assist with recoveries and lay a foundation for action. During a litigation or commercial dispute, we can also provide independent and objective analysis of any accounting and financial issues involved.

Going public

Taking your company public is an exciting process. It brings with it prestige and higher visibility in the market. At the same time, going public brings new risks, including complex accounting and reporting requirements and the need to manage new stakeholders – like the board and your shareholders.

To get the most reward, you need to be well informed and well prepared. KPMG Enterprise advisers can work with you to decide whether going public is the right choice for your business. If you go forward, we can help you manage the IPO process and begin to operate in the public company environment.

Growth

Growth is an essential ingredient to continued business success. While most businesses can achieve growth organically, this can require considerable time and effort.  In order to grow sustainably, entrepreneurial  businesses must consider all of their market opportunities including seeking out complementary businesses for acquisition, potentially divesting non-core businesses, outsourcing functions to increase cost efficiencies and potentially expanding into the emerging markets.

International executive services 

Whether you’re sending employees on international business travel or multi-year expatriate assignments – proper tax planning, compliance services and technology tools can help you operate more efficiently and reduce assignment tax costs. To do this, you need to know the tax opportunities and challenges of working in different countries. Non-compliance can result in costly penalties and unrecorded liabilities.

KPMG Enterprise advisers across KPMG firms can work with you to develop tax programs that support your strategy while complying with local tax rules. They can also help review your current programs to improve your tax efficiency and give you straightforward answers on the tax implications of international work your employees do.

IT

An effective, well-managed information technology (IT) system is one of the most valuable business advantages an organization can secure. The right technology, implemented properly, appropriately managed and monitored, can lead to significant gains in growth and efficiency. It is essential to get sound business advice to ensure technology risks are managed. IT is challenging to get right and expensive to get wrong — not only in terms of dollars spent, but also in lost efficiency and potential regulatory infringements. KPMG Enterprise advisers across KPMG firms work with clients to analyze business technology issues within their businesses.

M&A tax

Every transaction has tax implications. Whether you’re contemplating an acquisition, a merger, or restructuring – understanding the relevant tax issues will let you take advantage of tax opportunities while reducing your transaction risks. If you’re considering an M&A outside your home jurisdiction, getting specialized tax advice can help you ensure your deal is commercially viable.

KPMG Enterprise firms’ advisers can work with you to understand the tax implications of your potential deals and help you to structure transactions in ways that are tax-efficient. No matter where you are in the deals lifecycle, KPMG Enterprise can help you determine the best tax structures to support your endeavors.

Personal tax

As the owner-manager of a business or a new entrepreneur, corporate tax shouldn’t be your only concern. To manage your overall tax burden effectively, you need to understand how tax rules and changes may affect both your personal tax situation and that of your family.

The challenge is that personal tax law is complex and rules can change quickly. KPMG Enterprise advisers can work with you to assess the tax rules and tax issues that affect, or may affect, your personal and family taxes, so that you can better manage your overall tax burden while remaining compliant with all tax laws.

Philanthropy

As a successful entrepreneur or owner-manager of a business, you recognize the importance of giving back to your community – whether through your time, wisdom, money or assets. But giving to others can also be an effective part of your tax and wealth management program.

KPMG Enterprise business advisers can work with you to maximize the impact of your philanthropic endeavours, both for the organizations and causes that you support and as part of your personal tax plans. We’ll help you find the best ways to structure your support so you can give generously while also being tax-efficient.

R&D incentives

As an entrepreneur, you recognize the importance location has on business success. When it comes to research and development (R&D) initiatives, location can have a major impact on your costs due to the availability of R&D incentives and the impact of R&D costs on other tax benefits.

KPMG Enterprise business advisers in KPMG firms can help you conduct a review of R&D incentives and tax implications so that you can better evaluate the after-tax cost of performing your R&D in one country, state or province over another. Advisers can also highlight other government grants and incentives that you can tap into. KPMG Enterprise advisers will work with you to help determine the best location for your activities – so you can focus on the future.

Selling your business

Deciding to sell your business can be difficult. You’ve put your life into your work and want to get the value you deserve. But realizing value can be challenging. How can you make your organization attractive and find the right buyer?

KPMG Enterprise advisers in KPMG firms understand how important this decision is and can help you get the most out of the process. KPMG Enterprise can help define your expectations and identify and prioritize potential buyers. Our professionals can also help you make sure that your business is in shape for a sale, evaluate offers, manage due diligence procedures and supervise the transaction.

You’ve spent years building your business. Let us help you get the most out of selling it.

Startup financing

You have a fantastic business plan – now you need the financial support to bring your plan to life. But what financing options are available to entrepreneurs? Are there government programs for start-ups in your sector? Can your concept attract strategic or angel investors?

KPMG Enterprise Advisers in KPMG firms can help you identify the financing plan that you need to fuel your growth. From helping you identify early-stage financing options to helping you connect with potential investors – we’ll work with you every step of the way to help turn your vision into reality.

Succession planning

When it comes to running a business, the toughest decisions can be around succession. As an owner-manager, you want to make the right choices, for your business – and your family. Starting early is critical for a smooth transition. By making decisions and developing transition timelines, you can avoid conflict and build the support and buy-in your successor will need.

KPMG Enterprise advisers can help you manage the sensitivities that come with succession and provide confidential advice on the implications of any decisions your family might make. When the time comes, we can also help your successor take on his or her new role.

Transfer pricing tax services

Fiscal authorities in many jurisdictions are strengthening their local legislation regarding transfer pricing and increasing penalties for non-compliance.  Whether you already have operations in different countries, or plan to expand as part of your strategic goals, understanding tax rules for multinationals is a critical step toward making sure your business is commercially viable and tax-efficient.

KPMG Enterprise advisers can assist you with creating a commercially viable global tax strategy – one that recognizes global issues while incorporating local knowledge and requirements. KPMG Enterprise advisers across our member firms help you see beyond your borders and manage transfer pricing in effective and efficient ways.

Wealth, succession and estate planning

You’ve worked hard to build your business and make it a success. Now, as you look to the future, you want it to remain in good hands. At the same time, you want to maintain your personal wealth and pass it on to future generations.  

KPMG Enterprise advisers in KPMG firms can help you develop an estate plan for transferring wealth to your heirs and a succession plan for your business in a manner sensitive to your needs. By thinking about the future today, you can mitigate many of the risks associated with unplanned transactions, including family conflict, high probate and other fees.