Europe

RSM, the sixth largest network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms, has appointed Gregor Schmidt as its new European Regional Leader. Gregor’s appointment follows a successful 2017 which saw RSM grow by 6% in Europe, with expansion into Bulgaria and mergers in Germany, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Poland, Republic of Ireland and the UK.

Following the announcement in February of the successful merger of AWT and DPI, RSM GmbH, the German member firm of RSM, has signaled further growth by announcing its third merger this year with Zitzelsberger.

RSM Norge enters Rogaland RSM in Norway strengthens its position as the leader in auditing small and medium-sized businesses when FSS Revisjon AS in Sandnes now becomes part of RSM. RSM has a clear strategy of being present in key business centers, and with FSS Revisjon on the team RSM now has a significant presence in an exciting region.

Over the next three months, exclusive business events will take place across Europe, where each country’s best businesses will be celebrated, in this year’s European Business Awards, sponsored by RSM.

Chancellor Merkel may have won the election but she now faces a new political landscape in Germany, one that is increasingly inward looking. A nationalist right-wing party has become the parliament’s third largest party. At the same time, the Chancellor finds herself in tricky coalition negotiations with the Green and the Free Democratic Party (FDP), all of which is adding a level of insecurity for the German Mittelstand.

Last month we held the annual RSM World Conference in Berlin, Germany. The conference hosted over 300 leaders from across the global network, with the theme of ‘No Limits’. Over three days, the conference agenda explored new initiatives and creative thinking approaches, fresh ideas for our client-led services and management practices, as well as sharing our valuable knowledge and expertise – all focused on continually embracing new and innovative ways of working in order to exceed our targets and the expectations of our clients.

Two weeks to go before deadline for 2017-18 European Business Awards sponsored by RSM LONDON:  EUROPE’s best businesses are urged to enter the 2017-18 European Business Awards, sponsored by RSM, before the end October deadline for a chance to have their business success recognised across the world.

Germany finds itself in an unusual scenario in handling the proposed European Common Consolidated Tax Base (CCTB). Whilst there is unity amongst most of the country’s political parties, the proposed CCTB is in opposition to the preference of German business and industry, which usually finds representation in one of the parties. Harmonising the exchange of information between European tax authorities on the one hand, whilst relieving the pressure on the German Mittelstand on the other by promising not to raise taxes, appears to be incompatible.