Kreston understands retail. And we know the stakes are high. A slick online and mobile experience is no longer optional – it’s a deal breaker for customers and there is increasing pressure to trade internationally, to grow your business and combat rising costs and competition.

The trusted relationships between Kreston firms around the globe mean we can provide a seamless service whatever you’re facing and wherever you need us.

As advisors specialising in owner-managed businesses with international requirements, Kreston can help with:

• Financial record-keeping to satisfy the rigorous demands of tax regulations
• Audit and assurance services
• Management information systems and the effective use of operating data
• Business trends and industry developments
• IT systems selection
• Business structuring and financing

Manufacturing has long been an international endeavour, with smart businesses leveraging the cost advantages of manufacturing in the emerging economies of South East Asia, India, Brazil and Central and Eastern Europe.

Kreston has a strong presence across these regions and beyond, meaning we provide all the services you need to operate in local and international markets.

Kreston advises small, medium and multinational manufacturers on:

• Company formation
• Funding for growth
• Capital investment in equipment
• Entry into new markets
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Investment decisions
• Budgeting and forecasting
• International tax
• Employment
• Audit and assurance engagements.

One international client Kreston has assisted over a number of years is Schölly Fiberoptic GMBH.

Since its establishment in 1973, Schölly has evolved from a single-product manufacturer to a vendor of highly sophisticated visualisation systems for both medical and industrial applications. Today, more than 500 employees work in 11 locations in eight countries for the Schölly group. All products made by Schölly are targeted at making concealed structures visible and accessible for non-destructive/minimally invasive treatment, using such technologies such as micro-optics, fiberoptics and electronics.

Mirko Beiser, Chief Financial Officer of Schölly Fiberoptic GmbH said:
“Schölly is headquartered in Germany with subsidiaries operating in Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Hong Kong, India and Malaysia. We engaged Kreston to prepare our consolidated financial statements and the work is excellently co-ordinated. We have total confidence in the Kreston partners and the quality and reliability of their work. Our international subsidiaries enjoy the benefit of partners’ local knowledge which delivers outstanding cohesion to the overall project”.

The technology and  life sciences sector moves at a breathless pace.  Security and disaster recovery are essential. Businesses demand increasingly specialist and tailored applications and new technologies continue to provide opportunities and threats.

Kreston provides a complete spectrum of business, financial and risk-management services to clients in many industry segments, including software, hardware, media and communications, internet services, clean technology, biotechnology, medical devices, life sciences and pharmaceuticals.

With its in-depth knowledge of the industry, Kreston can help with:

• Business consulting and planning
• The safeguarding of intellectual property
• Corporation tax compliance and the preparation of tax returns
• Advice on corporation tax
• Advice on transfer pricing issues for multinational companies
• R&D tax credit advice
• Accounting services, including bookkeeping, the preparation of management accounts and cash flow.

With customer demands to keep you constantly on your toes, firms in the travel, hospitality and leisure industries must be totally focused on business at all times. And increasing competition means you must be able to adapt quickly to stand out from the crowd – wherever you’re based.

With our market expertise and global reach, we can help you to do just that.

From tiny restaurants to large hotel chains and global travel companies, Kreston provides business strategy advice on:

• Cash flow
• Forecasts and budgets
• Accounting and tax
• Growth and exit plans
• Obtaining finance
• Overseeing business acquisitions
• Sales transactions.

Kreston has a long history of working with professional services providers, including engineering firms, architects, real estate businesses, legal firms, consultants, design specialists, medical practitioners and veterinarians. So our accounting and tax experts are perfectly positioned to help your business thrive.

As business owners in our own firms, we know what it takes to run successful, profitable firms. We understand the challenges facing their clients –  because we’ve lived them.

We advise on current practice management issues, including strategy and tax planning in relation to partnerships, LLPs and individuals. We also offer forensic accounting and VAT, inheritance and capital gains tax advice.

In real estate and construction, the stakes are always high. Global and local economies can begin and end a business at a stroke, operating successfully means dealing with rising costs, competition, changing regulations and labour issues on a daily basis. Kreston can help you overcome these obstacles.

We work with small speciality contractors, large heavy commercial and industrial construction companies, estate agents, property developers and architectural and engineering firms.

Whether you are looking for accounting, tax, assurance, compliance, outsourced business or consulting services, our intricate knowledge of the industry and international reach means we can support you at every step.

Kreston has a strong tradition of providing outstanding, high-quality services to charity, not-for-profit and education providers.

We know that the ever-changing regulatory environment demands proactive accountants who can provide specialist advice tailored to the organisation’s specific requirements – and in doing so, help them succeed in an extremely competitive marketplace.

We also offer advice on strategic planning, controlling risk and fundraising and investment policies.

Kreston has years of experience working with medical and healthcare providers and we understand that every business is unique. We know you operate in an increasingly regulated and competitive market, so our services are designed to fit your specific business needs.

Many Kreston firms are home to healthcare management consultants. This, along with our in-depth understanding of the market, has helped us to build long-lasting relationships with clients.

Our assurance and advisory services include:

• Financial record-keeping to satisfy the rigorous demands of tax regulations
• Audit and assurance services
• Management information systems and the effective use of operating data
• Business trends and industry developments
• IT systems selection
• Business structuring and financing

Kreston has significant experience working with clients in central and local government, public health, education, public utilities and social housing – in all parts of the world.

This experience goes far beyond external audits; our firms have a thorough understanding of the issues affecting all types of tax-funded organisation. We can assist with the following:

• Value-for-money/best value auditing
• Performance indicator reviews
• Corporate governance and risk management reviews
• Fraud irregularities and investigations
• Complaints investigations and public hearings

Market demands and global competition have led to more sophisticated working methods in the agricultural sector, with highly specialised crop and livestock farming becoming the norm. Kreston understands that farmers need to be more resilient and adapt quicker to change than ever before.

We work with farming clients from all over the world, guiding them through the complex world of regulation.

From smallholdings to multisite estates and agricultural contractors, we ensure our clients receive constructive advice on compliance and regulatory issues as well as audit and assurance guidance.

And if environmental issues are your focus, we can share sound tax and commercial advice on all aspects of projects, such as renewable energy schemes and the use of surplus buildings.

Kreston knows sports. We have years of experience assisting sports bodies, clubs and professionals with their accounting requirements and ensuring that their financial affairs are dealt with in a tax-efficient and cost-effective way. Because when the details are taken care of, you’re free to perform at your best.

Our services include:

• Drafting of financial statements
• The use of image rights
• Completing annual tax returns
• Advising on tax structuring and tax-efficient profit extraction
• Advising on tax-efficient investments and pension provision.