Europe: Accounting and Audit

El Tribunal Supremo español establece que los activos por impuesto diferido no constituyen "beneficios propios de la explotación" a efectos de liquidar un usufructo de acciones. La sentencia delimita qué reservas societarias deben computarse cuando el usufructuario reclama el incremento de valor de las acciones al extinguirse el derecho real.

The Upper Tribunal examined whether £3 billion paid to Barclays Bank during the 2008 financial crisis was wholly for reserve capital instruments or partly for warrants issued by its parent company. The case highlights the complexities of determining fair value allocation in structured financial transactions and the challenges taxpayers face when appealing factual findings, as the tribunal remitted the matter for reconsideration despite finding errors in the original decision.

The 2026 reform raised the Cyprus corporate tax rate from 12.5% to 15%, and most commentary stopped there. However, the reform left the Cyprus notional interest deduction (NID) untouched. A higher headline rate therefore makes the NID more valuable, not less. For a company funded with equity, it can bring the effective rate on qualifying profit down to 3%.

Financial analysis has evolved beyond traditional metrics to examine the underlying economic performance and sustainability of businesses. Quality of Earnings analysis, revenue disaggregation...

Grant Thornton Malta operates as an independent member firm within the global Grant Thornton network, providing assurance, tax, and advisory services to clients. Each member firm functions as a separate legal entity, delivering services independently without creating partnership obligations or liabilities between firms. The brand operates under a coordinated international framework while maintaining distinct operational and legal boundaries.

IFRS 18 applies for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2027 and will replace IAS 1. Although it does not change recognition and measurement principles, it will significantly affect how financial performance is presented and disclosed.

False accounting allegations arise when financial records are deliberately altered or used to mislead, but not every accounting error constitutes criminal conduct. Understanding the distinction between mistakes and criminal false accounting requires examining who was responsible, what they knew, and whether there was dishonesty with intent to gain or cause loss.

Forensic accountants play a crucial role in uncovering financial irregularities, whether in business disputes, litigation, or regulatory matters.

Many family law matters become contentious and emotional. However, whether in a community property state or equitable distribution state, each marital dissolution case has an end in sight, i.e., an equal division or fair distribution of assets, debts and income.

As economic uncertainty and rising costs pressure businesses in 2026, many companies are turning to fractional CFO services as a strategic solution to improve profitability without the expense of a full-time executive. This analysis explores six specific ways these services enhance EBITDA, from optimizing pricing strategies and managing cash flow to reducing operational waste and preparing for financing events.

The Commercial Payments Bill represents the most significant legislative reform to tackle late payments in over 25 years, proposing sweeping changes to payment practices in commercial transactions. With particular impact on the construction industry, the Bill introduces maximum payment terms, mandates interest charges on late payments, and controversially proposes a complete ban on retention clauses. What alternatives will replace traditional retention arrangements, and how will businesses adapt to these fu

Effective bookkeeping extends far beyond compliance and record-keeping—it provides the financial visibility, accuracy and insight businesses need to make informed decisions, manage risk and plan for growth. By asking critical questions about financial reporting timeliness, cash flow visibility, reconciliation accuracy, VAT management and data reliability, organisations can identify gaps in their bookkeeping processes before they impact business performance.