International

Cross-border advice for businesses, families and individuals
operating beyond a single jurisdiction

International activity multiplies the complexity of the financial picture before you.

A business expanding overseas, a family with members in different countries, an individual moving to or from the UK or a group with intercompany flows across jurisdictions all face questions that cannot be answered from one country’s perspective alone.

The cost of getting the international position wrong is not just financial – it is structural. Errors embedded in a group structure or a transfer pricing framework become progressively harder and more expensive to correct the longer they remain in place.

Tax residence missed at the wrong moment, a permanent establishment created unintentionally, transfer pricing not documented to the standard required or a structure that works in one country but creates exposure in another can all be expensive to correct after the fact.

Our international practice is built to handle those questions. UK-side advice runs in-house with senior specialists.

Overseas advice is co-ordinated through our membership of PrimeGlobal, a network of around 300 independent firms in more than 80 countries.

How we work with individuals

Each client has a named lead adviser and an annual cycle run to a defined timetable. Around that cycle, planning conversations happen as life events arise. A property sale, a business exit, a gift to children, a move overseas or an inheritance all need to be considered as they come up rather than only at year-end.

Senior involvement is constant. The depth of relationship that builds up over the years is the foundation for the more difficult conversations when they come.

Our international services

The PrimeGlobal network gives our clients access to local advisers in each major jurisdiction with the same standards of independence and partner-led service that they expect from us.

We have direct, trusted working relationships with member firms across the network.

What you can expect from
our international team

Three principles run through our cross-border work:

One co-ordinated point of contact

The lead partner here co-ordinates the overseas input and presents the advice in a single joined-up form. You do not become the project manager between separate firms.

Local knowledge, global reach

Through PrimeGlobal, we have access to senior advisers in the jurisdictions where you operate. The local advice is given by people with the authority and depth to add real value to your business.

UK technical strength

On the UK side, the advice you receive comes from our specialists, who have substantial cross-border experience.

International clients work with us because they want one firm acting as a trusted guide across their cross-border position – co-ordinating the overseas input, holding the picture together and making sure the advice they receive is consistent and joined-up rather than a series of separate opinions they then have to reconcile themselves.

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Why choose Macalvins?

Macalvins is a Top 100 UK accountancy firm and a member of PrimeGlobal, a network of around 300 independent firms across more than 80 countries.

That combination gives clients the depth and continuity of a senior-led independent practice together with the international reach they increasingly need. The result is advice that holds together across jurisdictions, services and years.

Speak to our team

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Frequently Asked Questions faq

How does the PrimeGlobal relationship actually work in practice?

PrimeGlobal is an association of around 300 independent accountancy and advisory firms operating in more than 80 countries. Where overseas advice is needed, we engage a member firm with the relevant specialism. We co-ordinate the work, brief the local team and present the combined output to you. The local firm is engaged directly by you or through us depending on the situation.

What are the most common cross-border issues you handle?

Inbound investment into the UK, US and UK personal tax interaction, European VAT and corporate tax, expatriate and internationally mobile employee tax, transfer pricing documentation and permanent establishment analysis are just some of the matters we regularly advise on.

Can you help us set up overseas from the UK?

Yes, we can advise on choice of jurisdiction, entity structure, registration requirements, transfer pricing policy and the tax efficiency of the wider group structure. The local set-up is often delivered by the relevant PrimeGlobal member firm or another trusted adviser and the UK-side analysis sits with us.

Mr. Jackson
@mrjackson
Mr. Jackson
@mrjackson