Our expert insights

Future Proof by Going Green

20 December 2021

As we enter the endemic phase, there are new concerns and considerations the real estate and construction sectors should take note of.

The Board and Company Secretary in Climate Change, ESG, and Sustainability

15 December 2021

During the CSIS Listcos E-Forum 2021, RSM Senior Director Sovann Giang deep dived into the role of the board in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)/climate risk management and sustainability reporting, and areas company secretaries should keep a look out for in assuming an advisory role to the board.

Sustain and Prosper in a Low-carbon Economy

14 December 2021

The concept of sustainability has recently experienced an evolutionary leap, driven by the increased awareness of and subsequent call for action for governments and corporations all over the world – a call to do their part to address climate change. Even during the peak of the pandemic, sustainability and climate change issues were seen as critical to deal with.

Innovation Strategy and the 5Cs for Recovery

14 December 2021

Business leaders with a clear vision are often more capable to drive change because they often align changes in their businesses with the purpose of why their businesses exist.

Data Protection Priorities for 2022

14 December 2021

Even when organisations have the strongest defence to protect their confidential data, there will always be areas or weaknesses that can be exploited if they are not careful. Here are some of the recent data breach cases:

Is Digitalisation an IT Agenda?

14 December 2021

Everyone is talking about digitalisation, but many small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) are still struggling to figure out what it really means and how to succeed in today’s digital era through digitalisation.

Common Pitfalls in Valuation and Impairment Assessment

6 December 2021

The reliability of a valuation conclusion heavily hinges upon the assumptions and inputs used in the exercise.

Is It Necessary for Construction Firms to Go Digital?

18 November 2021

Find out how you can streamline, automate, and simplify work processes by going digital.

Navigating Workforce Shortages in Healthcare Sector

27 October 2021

Singapore’s rapidly ageing population has created several challenges for its healthcare sector. The strain is still being felt today, as staffing shortages continue to plague the healthcare system.

How systems and processes can transform business data into valuable and strategic information

22 September 2021

From basic spreadsheets to tailored dashboards, the rudimentary purpose of management information (MI) systems is to record and report data.

Spotting the danger signs: How robust is your firm?

21 September 2021

Financial matters are not always front of mind for partners and directors whose interests are typically more invested in the core activities of the business and delivering for clients.

How Can REITs Manage the Transition to a Low-carbon Economy?

20 August 2021

Singapore hopes to halve its peak greenhouse gas emissions as the urgency of the global climate commitment is not to be understated.

Digital Transformation for Charities

26 July 2021

Charities are at different stages of their digitalisation journeys. Some have started their journeys while others still fumble with how to start. In order to stay relevant, it is vital for charities to evolve with the changing expectations of today’s tech-savvy generation.

Digital Resilience Bonus ("DRB") for Food Services and Retail Sectors

24 June 2021

The Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (“IMDA”) Digital Resilience Bonus or DRB aims to he

Analytics and Technology: How can SMEs Benefit?

18 June 2021

A joint study by RSM, SIT and ISCA conducted prior to COVID-19 reported the low adoption rate of analytics and technology among Singapore SMEs. However, when COVID-19 struck, it catalysed a wave of digital transformation among many organisations. It is not hard to see why.

Future Proofing the Built Environment Sector

1 June 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis that continues to have widespread impact on many economies and industries. The Built Environment in Singapore is not spared. Continued border restrictions and required compliance with COVID-19 measures have reduced the supply of labour, resulting in companies needing to pay above market rate to secure labour.

家族办公室全球趋势：聚焦新加坡

27 May 2021

为何东南亚对家族办公室独具吸引力? 除了税收优惠之外，亚洲的潜在增长也使其越来越受投资者青睐，新加坡这个岛国被视为通往亚洲的门户。此外，许多家庭对新加坡政府处理疫情的方式印象深刻，对新加坡的安全颇具信心。

Professional Services Firms Must Embrace Digital Agility

27 May 2021

An influx of new digital technologies has created disruption across the professional services industry as firms evolve their business operations to become more efficient and improve client relationships.

Global Family Office Trends: Spotlight on Singapore

16 April 2021

Family offices are essentially corporate vehicles established to manage and structure investments with a view of preserving the wealth of a family. In Singapore, family offices have two forms—a single-family office and a multifamily office.

The Future of ESG Reporting and Assurance

7 April 2021

Amidst the growing emphasis on good sustainability practices and the desire for greater transparency by the public, particularly those from the younger generation, Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) reporting and assurance are likely to become commonplace.

Not-for-Profit – to Digitalise or not to Digitalise?

26 March 2021

Let us look at how not-for-profits can digitalise their operations and how digitalisation can position them as responsible, accountable, efficient, and transparent.

Adapt, Innovate, and Grow to Pull Through

16 March 2021

COVID-19 has unprecedentedly devastated the global economy in the entire history of industrialisation, bypassing the Great Depression, in its magnitude and level of severity.

Adapting Your Business Processes to PDPA Changes

12 March 2021

“How do you adapt your business processes to the new PDPA changes, effective 1 February 2021?” Hoi Wai Khin, Director, Business Consulting of RSM, performed a qualitative review on

How Budget 2021 Can Support Your Technology Needs

26 February 2021

In his Budget 2021 speech, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mr. Heng Swee Keat announced the COVID-19 Resilience Package that sets out to safeguard public health and support businesses, especially sectors that are badly hit.

Should Companies Diversify from China?

15 January 2021

“For decades, China has dominated global supply chains because of its infrastructure capabilities and sophisticated manufacturing ecosystem. Nevertheless, due to rising labor costs, the U.S.-China trade war and the outbreak of COVID-19, multinational companies are considering ways to ensure more resilience in their supply chains. Many U.S. companies have moved their supply chains away from China to other Asian countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia and India, as China’s advantage of cheap labor has increasingly been overshadowed by the advantages these alternative countries present.” (Source: RSM US)

NPO GST Registration Myths Debunked

8 January 2021

Find out more about NPO GST registration myths as we debunk them to help your NPO align with local GST legislation.

Getting the Right Management

14 December 2020

When making an acquisition, the management team to be inherited, if any, is as important as the business acquired. The management team sets the tone at the top and drives the culture of the business acquired.

Cash-free, Debt-free Transactions

1 December 2020

Many M&A transactions are negotiated on a cash-free, debt-free basis, by both the buyer and the vendor. Before the final agreement between both parties, it is important to identify all the underlying issues on cash- and debt-like items to identify and quantify potential adjustments, and provide value certainty before the final agreement is put into writing.

Beyond COVID-19: Technological Advancements in Healthcare

27 November 2020

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has vaulted our world years ahead in terms of customer and business digital adoption, in a matter of a short few weeks.

Majority of SMEs Yet to Adopt Data Analytics Despite the Push for Digital Transformation

15 October 2020

A research that was jointly undertaken by RSM Singapore, Singapore Institute of Technology (“SIT”) and the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (“ISCA”) found that 69 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (“SMEs”) have yet to adopt data analytics.

Transparency and Accountability in NPOs

17 September 2020

There are many ready resources available to help NPOs improve transparency and accountability. One of the ready tools available is the Visibility Guide.

COVID-19: Opportunities in Uncertain Times

9 September 2020

As we shift to recovery gear, the reopening phase brings hope and opportunities to the business community. Jointly organised by RSM and the Bank of Singapore, “The Business Resilience & Equity Investment Opportunities” webinar (held on 25 Aug 2020) deep-dived into challenges faced in the COVID-19 pandemic and how companies can strengthen business resilience post-COVID-19, and seek good opportunities.

ASEAN Opportunities: Where should Singapore firms invest and why?

22 July 2020

While the overall business sentiment may be muted amidst the global economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ASEAN economy continues to see potential growth. The continuously tense US-China trade relations have led some US firms to shift their attention from China to other parts of Asia, largely benefiting the Southeast Asian market.

What Foreign Retailers Should Know about China’s Regulations

16 July 2020

Foreign retailers must adhere to strict government requirements and employment regulations (in particular) to operate in China. Compliance with these requirements and regulations can be quite complicated especially if you have multiple stores, which will inevitably involve staff rotation, as well as a variety of job functions for different staff members.

Strengthen Data Protection from Cyber Theft

8 July 2020

While technological innovations make business processes and the delivery of goods and services much quicker and more efficient, they also come with serious considerations on privacy and security issues.

Using Sell-side Due Diligence to Maximise Deal Value

1 July 2020

As the vendor of a business in an M&A transaction, the goal is two-fold: Secure a successful transaction and Close at the highest price possible.

Challenges NPOs Face and the Role of Professional Services in the Ecosystem

25 June 2020

Singapore’s NPO sector will continue to face challenges, but the integration of professional services firms into the NPO ecosystem will allow them to tap into expertise and best practices of Singapore’s advanced private sector.

Managing Mergers & Acquisitions

22 June 2020

Enhancing Value through Due Diligence

11 June 2020

When making an acquisition, it is important to acquire the right business, with the right management, at the right price.

Singapore’s Digital Payments Ecosystem in a Post COVID-19 World

9 June 2020

As we come out of the lockdown, how will the payments sector adapt in South East Asia and globally? Co-organised by Eversheds Sutherland, Eversheds Harry Elias and RSM on 27 May 2020, the webinar explored the impact that COVID-19 has had on the payments sector globally and which of these trends are likely to continue post lockdown.

Post-COVID-19 Recovery – Reinventing your Business Model

8 June 2020

As countries begin to lift lockdown restrictions, businesses have to be ready to embrace the new normal. Gone are the days where face-to-face interaction was the desired practice to promote quality services as companies start to go digital due to the pandemic. Team cohesion and staff-centric management style are also new solutions to build a resilient work team.

Taking Action to Transform Your Business & Your Anxiety in COVID-19*

5 June 2020

Lock Chee Wee, Partner of RSM, during his webinar held on 22 May 2020, emphasised the importance of performing business health checks, understanding the position businesses are in, and exploring financial relief options to survive this period. We were honored to have the 1st Vice President of Singapore Association for Private Education ("SAPE"), Professor Rhys Johnson, gave the opening address.

Valuation in Abnormally Uncertain Times

29 May 2020

COVID-19 has caused a significant decline in market value, valuation multiples and increased the required returns for Singapore ListCos. Based on our analysis of the COVID-19 impact on valuations and increase in required returns for Singapore ListCos, we provide guidance in this publication on valuations in times of abnormal uncertainty.

Minimise Risks in Acquisition

26 May 2020

Mergers and acquisitions in the current climate can be exciting but daunting at the same time. It is important that businesses assess the risks and rewards of making an acquisition at this juncture.

Start your online retail business in China

26 May 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many brick-and-mortar retailers and restaurants were placed under lockdown, as local governments enforce quarantine measures and restrict outdoor trips. As consumers fear being infected, they are also turning to online channels to get their necessities. It is predictable that the longer the crisis, the greater the likelihood of consumers gravitating towards online purchasing. From brand protection, regulation and compliance advisory to e-commerce solutions, we help foreign investors start their online retail business easily and quickly.

Build Strong Resilience in the Real Estate and Construction Sector Amidst the Challenging Outlook

20 May 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented demage to the real estate and construction industry. Find out how we can build resilience and survive this pandemic with insights from prominent real estate players.

The Green Impact on Logistics and Transportation

19 May 2020

Whilst the environmental impact of COVID-19 has yet to fully pan out, the tendency towards implementing green initiatives has grown in earnest over the last few years, with an increasing number of businesses across multiple industries getting in on the trend. This is particularly evident in the logistics and transportation industry, in a bid to adopt more environmental-friendly practices. Land, air and sea transportations have also seen a rise in the use of compressed natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”) instead of conventional petroleum.

You Can’t Predict the Next Crisis but You can be Prepared for It!

28 April 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on every organisation, and we are on high alert for every news concerning this pandemic.

Solidarity Budget - Continuing Support Measures (22 April 2020)

23 April 2020

On 21 April 2020, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce announced that it would extend the circuit breaker period until 1 Jun 2020, and put in place enhanced circuit breaker measures minimally for a two-week period from 21 April 2020 until 4 May 2020.

COVID-19 Singapore Banks' Assistance

22 April 2020

To navigate the financial crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, we advise businesses and individuals to engage their banks early and proactively. For a start, we set out a summary of the key support measures provided by three local business banks for your reference

A Shift in Mindset – The Coronavirus Effect on Family Legacy & Succession

18 April 2020

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. To date, the total confirmed cases and total deaths globally sits at 2,158,033 and 144,221 respectively.

RSM Business Resilience - COVID-19 Resource Kit

17 April 2020

In view of the intensifying impact the COVID-19 has on the global economy, we have developed a “RSM Business Resilience COVID-19 Resource Kit” to help you navigate through the rough economic terrain. This complimentary kit is available for downloading.

Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment

17 April 2020

In view of the highly volatile global economy, the tripartite partners–the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF)–urge companies to be prudent in managing excess manpower and exercise responsible retrenchment when adjusting to changes in their operating environment.

Cushioning the Impact of COVID-19 on The Logistics and Transportation Industry

15 April 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the world into a state of panic and uncertainty, affecting individuals and businesses to varying degrees. The logistics and transportation industry may have experienced exponential growth in global trade in previous decades, but COVID-19 has proven just how vulnerable global supply chains can be. In light of the pandemic, how can companies in the logistics and transportation industry cushion the blow and better prepare for the future?

COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020

14 April 2020

It is expected that many businesses in Singapore will face difficulty paying rent during this period. On 7 April 2020, the Singapore Parliament passed the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, which seeks to offer temporary relief to businesses and individuals who are unable to perform their contractual obligations due on or after 1 February 2020 because of COVID-19.

COVID-19 – The Unexpected Driver of Digital Transformation

9 April 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented impact on businesses and nations around the world. In order to minimise human interactions and reduce further spread of the virus, many countries have shut their borders, locked down, and imposed closure of work-places for non-essential services.

Impact of COVID-19 on Singapore’s healthcare industry

8 April 2020

The COVID-19, a disease that was first identified in Wuhan, China, has now become a pandemic. Singapore, densely populated and with a high number of travellers, is one of the first few countries to have confirmed cases of the COVID-19.

Solidarity Budget (video)

7 April 2020

On 6 April 2020, the Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced the Solidarity Budget to provide further support for businesses and people to tide over this difficult period. The cost for this additional support will be $5.1 billion. Altogether the Government’s support for COVID 19 will be $59.9 billion or about 12% of GDP.

Business Resilience Advisory Programme

7 April 2020

It is a trying period for many of us, especially for businesses as COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the global economy. Hear from Tay Woon Teck, Advisory Partner, where he shares how businesses can assess their business viability and take immediate actions to strengthen business resilience.

2019 Annual Information Technology Industry Spotlight

2 April 2020

“In 2020, we see more and more investors performing cyber due diligence to incorporate potential risk exposure into the overall deal valuation.” - Nishi Shah, Director, Cybersecurity Due Diligence, RSM

COVID-19 Government Support Packages

2 April 2020

These 4 short videos by Yvonne Tang, Senior Manager of Advisory Division, provide details on four key pillars: Immediate Cash Support

Technology Risks: How to Protect Your Business

31 March 2020

Over the past decade, the wave of digital transformation has swept across many organisations as they embark on adopting advanced technologies to streamline their business processes for productivity.

Budget 2020 — Impact on Real Estate and Construction Sector

23 March 2020

For PDF version please click here.

Understanding the US REITs

5 March 2020

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) can provide numerous benefits to a variety of investors looking to invest in real estate, but fund managers must be conscientious of the rules that come with using a REIT.

How Technology Firms can Benefit from Budget 2020

3 March 2020

With the current COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on businesses, Budget 2020 supports companies, workers and households with an immediate release of a $5.6 billion package to help them tide over this difficult time.

Budget 2020 Highlights

26 February 2020

Payment Services Act

20 February 2020

E-Payment solution is a key component of Singapore’s Smart Financial Centre vision where FinTech is an integral part of our lives. The Payment Services Act aims to drive the adoption of E-Payment solutions and enhance consumer safeguards.

SGX Listing Rules amendments effective from 7 February 2020

24 January 2020

Changes to the Quarterly Reporting Framework & Continuous Disclosure Regime.

The search for technology talents

17 January 2020

Many organisations are starting to leverage technology to digitally transform their business processes for enhanced operational efficiency. The surge in data and analytical capabilities have also encouraged businesses to make informed decisions through data analysis rather than intuition.

Retailers raise the bar with trending innovations

16 January 2020

With the evolution of the retail industry—from brick-and-mortar operations to digitising of work processes—let us take a look at what some of the current trends are and how retailers have improved their operations with new innovations.

Automation's impact on margin and efficiency in professional services

23 December 2019

Organisations functioning in the professional services and technology space such as consulting firms, software companies, architectural and engineering businesses, staffing agencies, public relations firms, advertising and marketing agencies, and more have unique needs to achieve their profitability goals.

The LNG tsunami: Trends and challenges for US middle market companies

2 December 2019

The last decade has seen enormous developments in the trade of liquefied natural gas. In 2018, the global LNG market more than tripled from the volumes seen in 2000 and grew at an annual rate of 8.3% to 313.8 million metric tons per year. Last year, there were 42 countries importing LNG compared to only 18 countries in 2008.1

Energy trends to watch in 2019

2 December 2019

Innovative technology is changing the way businesses are managed, and the energy sector, while not leading the way, is nevertheless seeing an increase in the use of artificial intelligence, telematics and big data to lower costs, streamline operations and enhance safety.

When do NPOs need to register for GST?

27 November 2019

Goods and Services Tax ("GST") is a transaction-based tax that applies to goods and services supplied by a taxable person in Singapore. If a not-for-profit organisation’s (Public Character) receipts that are taxable for GST perspectives exceed or are expected to exceed S$1 million within a 12-month period, you will have to consider GST registration.

Consolidation of private clinics in the healthcare industry

29 October 2019

Consolidation is observed in several industries ranging from financial institutions to retailers, and has been gaining a similar momentum in the healthcare industry. While consolidation in the healthcare industry may not be a new phenomenon, we continue to observe standalone clinics merging and acquiring to form a bigger group.

Building digitally-savvy SMEs

25 October 2019

Becoming digitally savvy is not a difficult process, and the benefits are aplenty. The Singapore government has paved the path to digitisation for the nation through the smart nation initiative, and we have already reached the stage whereby robots are deployed to perform mundane tasks such as bank reconciliation and three-way matching.

Practical accounting challenges technology start-ups face

22 October 2019

Technology firms are among the fastest growing companies in Singapore in recent years. This, in part, is due to the pace of technological innovations and disruptions across nearly every industry.

Do charities need both audit and finance committees?

9 September 2019

Boards of all charities are required to have an Audit Committee and a Finance Committee under the 2017 Singapore Code of Governance for Charities & Institutions of a Public Character. However, charities differ in their views on whether both are necessary.

Is your business truly compliant with personal data protection regulations?

5 September 2019

Beauty retailer Sephora notified the Personal Data Protection Commission of a data breach that led to the exposure of some customers’ personal information to unauthorised third parties, according to media reports in July. Is your business truly compliant with personal data protection regulations?

How intelligent process automation enhances the finance function

21 August 2019

While Robotic Process Automation has been widely adopted by many businesses and delivered significant benefits, its evolved cousin, Intelligent Process Automation, has the potential to enhance business outcomes further.

Are you fully compliant with transfer pricing documentation requirements?

2 August 2019

Taxpayers that meet the required conditions are reminded to prepare mandatory transfer pricing documentation for their financial year ended 2018, and would be liable to a fine not exceeding S$10,000 for each case of non-compliance.

Go regional — a quick guide to getting started

3 July 2019

Benefit from the ideas and insights from our regional experts

Four key applications of natural language processing for audit transformation

27 June 2019

While we have yet to achieve truly human-like artificial intelligence, we are already seeing important breakthroughs in natural language processing. How can the audit profession leverage these for its own transformation?

Integrated CRM-ERP solution improves productivity and decision-making

10 June 2019

A protection and indemnity insurance solution provider faced numerous internal control issues arising from its manual, inefficient process of drafting policy quotations and contracts on Word documents. Seeking a solution that would integrate management of policies, invoices and claims, the company turned to RSM’s IT services team for assistance.

The aftermath of Storm GDPR in Asia-Pacific

28 May 2019

Whilst the GDPR has been well communicated by the advisory profession in the Asia-Pacific region, there has been only a small number of organisations that one could consider to be GDPR-ready.

Benefits and considerations of cloud accounting

15 May 2019

Disruptive technologies have changed the game for various industries and accounting is no exception. As businesses take accounting to the cloud, a fresh approach is required for the age-old practice of bookkeeping.

Timely financial reporting for VWOs — a case study

12 April 2019

A voluntary welfare organisation (VWO) that provides residential care, eldercare and medical services faced a huge challenge in meeting financial reporting requirements.

GST considerations for digitised goods and services

20 March 2019

Global e-commerce has been growing, on average, 20% each year and revenue in the Singapore "digitised goods" (e.g. digital video, digital music, digital games) market amounted to SGD406.3 million in 2015.

Healthcare giant consolidates financial data with ease

20 March 2019

A leading healthcare service provider faced a huge challenge of consolidating voluminous financial data from all its clinics across Singapore every month. Working under pressure to meet financial reporting deadlines, its finance team spent many man-hours manually extracting data from every clinic’s database, tabulating it in Excel format and translating it into consolidated reports. As its existing service provider, RSM’s IT services team was approached by the client to find a solution that would overcome this time-consuming process.

Singapore school boosts administrative and payment collection efficiency

20 March 2019

An independent school in Singapore faced significant challenges in new student enrolment every year. The school administrator had to manually key in all newly enrolled students’ records from the Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) School Cockpit System into the students’ database. In addition, the school administrator had to manually update the records of students who were promoted to new classes every year. As the majority of students make payments via GIRO for their monthly school fees and miscellaneous fees, these transactions were also manually updated on the school’s merchant bank portal. Much time and effort were spent to ensure that the students’ records were updated in a timely manner before the start of every new academic period and to meet GIRO submission deadlines. Seeking a solution, the school approached RSM’s IT Services team for assistance.

Budget 2019 — What's in for Real Estate and Construction Sector? [Infographic]

11 March 2019

For PDF version please Click here

How businesses can navigate uncertain environments to thrive during challenging times

11 March 2019

“What’s your strategy to internationalise and tap into Asean for growth?” With these words, Dennis Lee, Partner, RSM, got the panel discussion off to a rousing start. Titled “Rethinking Strategies in Uncertain Times”, this seminar held on 25 Feb 2019, was jointly presented by RSM and DBS.

How Budget 2019 can help technology companies thrive

25 February 2019

Building on the themes laid out in the previous years’ Budgets, Finance Minister, Mr Heng Swee Keat, delivered the Singapore Government’s Budget for 2019 on 18 February 2019. Technology continues to be a key theme in strengthening Singapore’s economic competitiveness, increasing Singapore businesses’ productivity and enhancing Singaporeans’ lives.

Phishing awareness: recognising, addressing and avoiding threats

29 January 2019

Phishing is one of the most common and most successful forms of cyberattack: e-mails designed to trick users into providing valuable information (such as login credentials) or running malicious code that compromises their workstation. Unlike other attacks, phishing does not rely on technical vulnerabilities or security misconfigurations to be effective.

RSM - Your Technopreneur Journey Need Not Be Alone

25 January 2019

Committee of Inquiry report highlights cybersecurity implications for businesses

17 January 2019

On 10 January 2019, the Committee of Inquiry (COI) released its report on the cyberattack on SingHealth last year that resulted in the theft of 1.5 million patients' personal particulars. Any of the five key findings of the COI report might be an issue for companies in any industry.

Technology disruption and financial services companies

29 November 2018

Consider opportunity and risk when harnessing new technologies

Key changes to Singapore Code of Corporate Governance & Related Listing Rules from 1 January 2019

21 September 2018

Six years after the last revision to the Code of Corporate Governance, the Monetary Authority of Singapore released another in August 2018, which aims to do ‘more with less’. ‘Less’ relates to the fact that the new Code is more succinct with 13 instead of 16 Principles.

5 steps for real estate and construction businesses to enhance their cybersecurity

20 September 2018

Real estate and construction (REC) has been perceived as a traditional industry. However, hackers do not discriminate and the REC industry is a tempting target with access to both confidential client data and regular payment streams. But is the industry sufficiently aware of and protected against cyberthreats in an increasingly digitised work environment?

Illegal to collect NRIC numbers and make copies of identity card from 1 September 2019

18 September 2018

Collecting NRIC numbers and making copies of the identity card will be illegal once revisions to the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) take effect from 1 September 2019, according to the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC).

Eight drivers of an effective enterprise risk management system

17 September 2018

As a risk advisory firm, we are frequently asked by clients to assess the effectiveness of their enterprise risk management (ERM) systems. Without exceptions, such requests are always about benchmarking the adopted framework for risk identification, assessment, mitigation and reporting against the best international frameworks.

Liquidity risk management practices for fund management companies

14 September 2018

On 16 August 2018, MAS issued the Guideline No. SFA04-G08 “Guidelines on Liquidity Risk Management Practices for Fund Management Companies”.

Are you ready for your next move in Singapore’s real estate and construction market?

31 August 2018

The recent cooling measures for Singapore’s real estate and construction market not only affects buyers but developers as well. These measures have the potential to impact firm and project value in the long term if developers do not consider the ramifications in totality.

Timing disruption: The stepping stone strategy

27 August 2018

There are times when everything changes in business – when this happens it is often sudden, surprising and sometimes overwhelming. These moments are the strategic inflection points that can result in a company rocketing to success or being left behind.

People strategies for success in a rapidly shifting global climate

13 August 2018

One issue stands out for every middle-market business that operates internationally: the struggle to find and retain the most skilled and innovative employees — those who will drive growth and company performance.

Four ways for business leaders to enable their workforce

27 July 2018

While some cry foul and worry about the woes of a ‘useless class,’ as the historian Yuval Noah Harari puts it, others welcome widespread automation because they consider most current human labour mind-numbing.

Wake-up call after SingHealth cyber breach

23 July 2018

The recent major cyberattack on SingHealth’s database that resulted in the theft of some 1.5 million patients’ personal particulars is another wake-up call for organisations to be vigilant for cyber risks. The repercussions may be more serious than you think. SingHealth sent out the following two short messages to victims of the cyberattack:

Compliance with China's latest transfer pricing documentation requirements

31 May 2018

Businesses in China should comply with its latest transfer pricing documentation requirements to avoid penalties for non-compliance. Overview Businesses in China should comply with its latest transfer pricing documentation requirements to avoid penalties for non-compliance. Compared with the previous regime, key changes include:

Blockchain: The technology too powerful to ignore

4 May 2018

Truly taking advantage of blockchain not only requires businesses to adapt existing business models, but to reimagine them from scratch.

An insider perspective on blockchain by Zilliqa

23 April 2018

RSM interviewed Zilliqa's CEO and Head of Business Development who shared their insights on the topic of blockchain.

Higher education: You’re already a data breach target

18 April 2018

Data breaches have hit all kinds of industries, from retail to financial services. For higher education institutions, the threat continues to rise. Article by Daimon Geopfert (Principal), RSM US

Succession planning is key to professional services organizations

18 April 2018

Organizations frequently indicate they should have a succession plan in place but don’t know where to begin. Learn more about how you can develop a plan in place that addresses departing leadership and key employees. Article by Christina Churchill (Principal), RSM US

Key strategies for business leaders in the changing global economy

3 April 2018

Protectionism and populism are on the rise in the global economy. Has globalisation, which has helped to expand the world economy and raise millions out of poverty, had its day?

The rise of blockchain - threats and opportunities for businesses

28 March 2018

4 deadly cybersecurity risks that threaten businesses

28 February 2018

The cybersecurity landscape has been continuously evolving. All businesses, regardless of their size, need to be prepared in advance or face the unpleasant surprise of a security breach.

GST pain points for NPOs (Not-for-profits/Charities/Institutions of a Public Character)

3 October 2017

NPOs generally receive a combination of donations, grants, sponsorships and nominal income, thus they may not be aware that they need to register for GST.

GST pain points for the retail industry

5 June 2017

Goods and Services Tax (“GST”) is a transactional-based tax applicable on sale and purchase of goods and services, with its unique focus on individual transaction (i.e. sale and purchase), and GST-registered retail businesses (“GRRBs”) that have been managing GST risk on a broad level.

GST pain points in the logistics industry

25 April 2017

GST-registered logistics businesses (“GRLBs”) that have been managing GST risk on a broad level could face a mismatch in expectations and GST compliance level against that of the GST authorities.

Input tax apportionment concerning construction companies

13 June 2016

While GST-registered construction companies largely make taxable supplies in the form of construction services, it is not uncommon to find secondary income streams recorded in their financial statements, such as:

GST considerations relating to early termination of lease

3 March 2016

With the uncertain economic environment and the oversupply in the Singapore property market, the availability of cheaper retail/office spaces as well as rising business closures have led to an increase in tenants or landlords requesting for an early termination of lease.

GST input tax claims for mixed real estate developments

30 December 2015

GST-registered real estate developers of a mixed development (e.g. commercial and residential) may face the risk of higher compliance cost because of incorrect GST treatments for such projects. As transactions in the real estate industry are usually of high value, the financial consequences may also be significant.

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