Dr. Andreas Ball

I have been working for KPMG in the area of tax since 1997 since completing my law degree and professional stations in Germany and abroad. As head of the tax department in Bielefeld, my focus is on advising my clients on restructuring and their international expansion. This also includes representing my clients in tax audits by the tax authorities in Germany and abroad. My industry focus is on the automotive, mechanical engineering, service and logistics sectors. An increasing focus is on tax advice for the rollout of digital business models.

 

What connects you with the Westphalia region, especially with East Westphalia and Münsterland?

I grew up in the Palatinate and studied in Freiburg and Saarbrücken, among other places. Despite this "southern German background", the region has become home to me and my family.

What do you appreciate about the region, what makes Westphalia special for you?

The region is extremely economically strong, but treats this topic with sympathetic modesty. I find the combination of hidden champions and listed companies appealing.

What makes the region interesting for you professionally?

Many internationally active companies are based here. So I can deal with tax issues from Abu Dhabi to Cyprus. I find this global view very exciting and it is especially possible in our region.

What is your area of expertise and what relevance does it have for companies in the region?

I stand for advising on the entire range of international issues. From the financing of subsidiaries and permanent establishments to value creation and transfer pricing. In addition, I have another topic: tax compliance. How do you fulfil your compliance duties as a board member in highly regulatory times? This concerns both small and large, listed companies and is also an international topic.

Which target group do you address?

Companies that operate internationally. Our client base extends beyond the region and also includes DAX-listed groups. Even if this is surprising at first glance, there are numerous synergies here for advising larger family businesses.

What challenges do the companies face and how can KPMG support them?

The tax environment is becoming increasingly complex due to the OECD's BEPS 2.0 initiative and many national regulations. The number of conflicts with tax authorities and the punishment of violations of tax laws are increasing. We support companies in ensuring that they act in a globally compliant manner. The avoidance of double taxation in international business is another central point of our advice.

What other exciting developments are you observing in the region and among companies?

What makes me personally very proud is the fact that companies from the Ostwestfalen Lippe region form the "Leading-Edge Cluster Industry 4.0".

The transformation towards global, digital business models in particular also involves many tax issues to which we find answers together with our clients. KPMG Bielefeld is a leader in this field in Germany. Our projects speak for us.

Why is KPMG the clear choice for companies in your region?

We have everything you need for international business locally: the network, the experience and more than 300 experts in Bielefeld in the areas of tax, auditing and consulting.