-
Corporate Finance and Deal Advisory
We offer a dedicated team of experienced individuals with a focus on successfully executing transactions for corporates and financial institutions. We offer an integrated approach, with our corporate finance specialists working seamlessly with tax and other specialists to ensure that every angle is covered.
-
Digital Risk
Grant Thornton offers solutions to the digital risk issues you are sure to face. Our skilled and experienced security team can helping by advising and consulting, giving you peace of mind, clear value for money and an enhanced ability to react to attacks.
-
Technology Consulting
Motivating and assisting our clients to pursue, maintain and secure the benefits of digital solutions is at the core of our Digital Transformation teams' agenda and goals. We work with business leaders to deliver efficient digital strategies and operating models that provide new or enhanced capabilities.
-
Economic Advisory
Our all-island Economics Advisory team combines expertise in economics and business with a wealth of experience across the public and private sectors.
-
Forensic Accounting
We have a different way of doing business by delivering real insight through a combination of technical rigour, commercial experience and intuitive judgment. We take pride in delivering responsive and tailored solutions to all our clients, capitalising on the wealth of experience housed within our Belfast and wider Forensics team
-
People and Change Consulting
The Grant Thornton People & Change Consulting practice works with clients on these issues as well as on all aspects of how they attract, retain, engage develop, deploy and lead their people.
-
Restructuring
We work with a wide variety of clients and stakeholders such as high street banks, private equity funds, directors, government agencies and creditors to implement solutions which provide the best possible outcomes.
-
Corporate and International Tax
Northern Ireland businesses face further challenges as they operate in the only part of the UK that has a land border with a country offering a lower tax rate.
-
Employer Solutions
Our team specialises in remuneration and incentive planning and works closely with employers, shareholders and employees to ensure that business strategies are aligned and goals achieved in the most tax efficient, cost-effective manner.
-
Entrepreneur and Private Client Taxes
Our team of experienced advisors are on hand to guide you through any decision or transaction ranging from the establishment of new business ventures, to realising value on exit, to succession planning and providing for loved ones.
-
Global Mobility Services
Grant Thornton offer a different approach to managing global mobility. We have brought together specialists from our tax, global payroll, people and change and financial accounting teams across Ireland and Northern Ireland, while drawing on the knowledge and insights of our global network of over 143 offices of mobility professionals to provide you with a holistic approach to managing global mobility.
-
Outsourced Payroll
Our outsourced service provides valued service to over 150 separate PAYE schemes. These ranging from 1 to 1000 employees, working for micro, SME and global employers. The service is supported by the integrated network of tax and global mobility teams and the wider Grant Thornton network delivering a seamless service. Experienced staff deliver a personal service built around your business needs.
-
Tax Disputes and Investigations
Our Tax Disputes and Investigation team is made up of tax experts and former HMRC investigators who have years of experience in dealing with a variety of tax investigations. Our expertise and insight can guide you through all interactions, keeping your cost at a minimum while allowing you to continue with the day to day running of your business.
-
VAT and Indirect Taxes
At Grant Thornton (NI) LLP, our team helps Northern Ireland businesses manage their UK and global indirect tax risks which, as transactional taxes, can quickly become big liabilities.
Subscribe to our mailing list
Update your subscriptions for Grant Thornton publications and events.
TEA is a measure of all entrepreneurial activity that is taking place in an economy at any given time. It is calculated by taking the sum of all entrepreneurship-related activities, such as starting a new business, expanding an existing business, and innovating within an existing business.
TEA is an important metric for understanding the overall health of an economy, as it provides insight into the level of risk-taking and innovation taking place. High levels of TEA are generally seen as a sign of economic health and prosperity.
As expected, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on levels of entrepreneurial activity across the region, with individuals adopting a more risk-adverse approach to business due to economic uncertainties.
However, recent surveys from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) show that the total early-stage TEA rate in Northern Ireland increased from 5.4% in 2020 to 9.1% in 2021. Figures for 2022 are yet to be released.
Despite being below the UK average of 11.5%, this positive trend emphasises the ambitious attitude of entrepreneurial individuals post-pandemic.
Given this activity in the market, the number of SMEs across the region is expected to increase going forward. SMEs make up 98% of the total number of businesses in Northern Ireland and are crucial for economic prosperity in totality.
With many new businesses, one of the most important barriers to entry is sourcing adequate levels of funding - after all, what good is a business without any cash?
Adequate funding is essential for SMEs to purchase necessary resources, hire personnel, and develop new products and services. Without it, SMEs are unable to keep up with their larger competitors, leading to reduced market share and ultimately, decreased profitability.
In Northern Ireland, there are numerous funding sources available to SMEs, with traditional funding including loans and grants supplemented by a number of alternative funding sources such as private equity.
For SMEs specifically, private equity might offer more flexible terms, which may suit better than traditional funding for a smaller business, albeit that a premium is usually paid. Given the recent rises in interest rates across the UK, products provided by banks have become more expensive for businesses and, as such, private equity funding may become more attractive.
With TEA levels on the rise in Northern Ireland, it is critical for new business owners to fund their businesses appropriately. It is hoped that the availability of finance will help drive the region’s economic recovery and foster an environment of entrepreneurship and innovation.