European Accountancy Yearbook 1992/93

Transcription

1 European Accountancy Yearbook 1992/93 Managing Editor Ellen Rocco Editor John Leslie Published by Graham ~ Trotman A memberolwolters Kluwer Academic PubUsbers LONDON/DORDRECHT/BOSlON Sterling House, 66 Wilton Road, London SWIV IDE, United Kingdom Telephone: Telex: Gramco G Facsimile:

2 First edition published in 1992 by Graham & Trotman Ltd Sterling House, 66 Wilton Road London SWI V IDE Graham & Trotman Ltd is a member of the.dpa DIRECTORY PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATI MIMIII British Library Cataloging in Publication Data Library of Congress CIP data is available from the publisher ISBN ISSN Graham & Trotman Ltd Concept and Editorial by: Ellen Rocco Directory Consultancy 38 Northolme Road, London N5 2UU This publication is protected by International Copyright Law. All rights strictly reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Computer typeset by Graham & Trotman Ltd

3 Foreword If 1992 was ever expected to mark the culmination of the process of European harmonisation, even the most dedicated idealist must have abandoned such a belief by now. Despite the enormous progress that has been made, the achievements of the past decade are overshadowed by the work which remains to be completed before Europe can function as a fully integrated community. In that sense, 1992 is only a transitional phase - a waypoint on the route towards an effective single market. In another sense, however, 1992 is a fulcrum; the point at which a unified Europe passes from concept to reality. Until now, the European effort has been a matter of pushing against the gradient to achieve necessary reform. From now on, it may be more a question of checking the pace of change, ensuring that control and co-ordination are kept. If Europe is to maintain control and realise its aims, communication and information will become increasingly vital. For the accountancy profession there are specific challenges: to develop and mature the rapidly expanding pan-european networks of both large and smaller firms; to capitalise effectively on the progress towards mutual recognition of professional qualifications; but most of all to provide the best advice on the practical impact of the various company directives and fiscal harmonisation measures. THE EUROPEAN ACCOUNTANCY YEARBOOK has an important part to play in the process of building the information base without which the Ee cannot hope to progress. While of obvious importance to the accountancy profession itself, the YEARBOOK will play an even more significant role among the myriad companies and businesses, large and small, which are now attuning their operations to the European single market. The accountancy profession's role in guiding and facilitating the development of industry and commerce is already well established. The challenge now facing the profession is to ensure that its own structure, expansion and communication across Europe will always be ready to meet the ever-growing needs of its clientele. I look forward to THE EUROPEAN ACCOUNTANCY YEARBOOK's contribution towards an ever better and better-informed profession serving an ever more demanding and challenging business market. Edouard Salustro President Federation des Experts Comptables Europeens iii

4 CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS MEAN BUSINESS Chartered accountants are h i g h l y ~ uprofessional a l i f i ebusine!is d advisers, able to assist clients in all aspects of business management and development, both natiooally and internatiooally. A full range of services are providing including:- - TAXATION ADVICE- - FINANCIAL FORECASTING- - ~ C T I N E U S E O F T h W O R M A T I O - ESTABUSIllNG JOINT VENTURES OVERSEAS - To find a chartered accountant to belp you, please contact any of the three Institutes. IN ENGLAND AND WALES Chartered Accountants' HaU, Moorple Place, London EC2P 2BJ Tel Fax OF SCOTLAND 27 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 I LA Tel + 44 SI 225 S67S Fax + 44 Sl 225!ISIS IN IRELAND Chartered Accountants HoUle, 87/89 Pembroke Road, Dublin 4 Tel + S5S I Fax I Dooepll Square South, Be1fMt BTl 5JE Tel Fax !1OO71

5 Contents Foreword ill Introduction 1 Preface 3 A Section of Articles - Looking Back Over 1991: The Year in European Accountancy Locations, Incentives and Taxation: Far Reaching Strategic Implications 7 by W. P. Vossen (plant Location International) and E. S. van Herwaarden (price Waterhouse) The Role of Major Firms: Local Needs with Global Strategy 10 by Nigel Moore (Ernst & Young) European Annual reports: Promoting Your Image 12 by Peter Clifton (peter Prowse Associates) Management Consultancy: Boosting Your European Management Team 14 by Paul Batchelor (Coopers & Lybrand Europe) Cross-Border Accounting: Transfer of Skills 16 by John Williams (ICAEW) The Smaller Firms' Network: Pooled Expertise with Personal Service 19 by Simon Noakes (Beavis Walker) The Future ofthe EEIG: Practical Problems for New Entity 21 by Martin Ben-Nathan (Casson Beckman) European Tax Harmonisation: Planning and Adjustment 23 by Aaron A. Rubenstein (KPMG International) European Accountancy Groups 27 European Accountancy Firms by Country 75 EC and EFTA Countries Austria; Belgium; Denmark & Greenland; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Ireland (Republic of); Italy; Luxembourg; The Netherlands; Norway; Portugal; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; United Kingdom & Isle of Man Other Countries Andorra; Channel Islands; Cyprus; Gibraltar; Iceland; Liechtenstein; Malta; Monaco 351 Professional Accountancy Bodies Acknowledgements I> v