Core expertise of our specialized valuation practice is the economic analysis of intra-group value chains. We provide reliable results for planning and implementation based on accepted methodologies and international standards. Furthermore, we support our clients in related matters such as group restructuring, compliance, and dispute resolution, adding to the services of tax and legal advisors.
Strategic Consulting
Achieving economic efficiency in multinational groups relies on their internal transactions being in line with the conditions of competitive markets. Compliance with the internationally accepted arm’s-length standard is therefore an important element in maximizing stable growth and profitability. Clients take advantage of our experience and insights for their respective planning activities and decision making on group level.
Our respective Services: Value Chain Structuring * Advise on Supply Chain Management * Evaluation of Business Restructuring Opportunities * Enhancement of Internal Procedures and Policies * Business Reviews * Value Creation Modelling
Economic Analysis
Comprehensive fact finding provides the foundation for a reliable valuation. Addressing this timely helps avoiding oversights and ensuring availability of relevant information. In this core area, multinationals entrust us with the collection of relevant evidence, analysis under the appropriate valuation standards, and transparent communication of the findings in professional reports.
Our respective Services: Functional Analyses * Industrial Analyses * Competitive Analyses * Determination of Transfer Pricing Methods * Benefit Testing of Intra-Group Services
Benchmarking and Valuation
The value contributions identified in economic analyses are quantified by benchmarking and valuation studies. Besides giving the best possible approximation of arm’s-length prices, they are frequently required for penalty-avoidance and access to domestic and international dispute resolution mechanisms. In this critical field, clients rely on our standard-compliant, detailed opinions to obtain reliable results.
Our respective Services: Comparable-Company Benchmarks * License Fee Benchmarks * Loan Interest Benchmarks * Valuation of Intangibles * Valuation of Transferred Businesses * Advice on Implementation in ERP Systems.
Compliance Support
Increasing information provision requirements – mainly for tax purposes – are becoming a more and more onerous burden on multinational corporations. Burdens in this sphere do not only relate to administrative penalties but also to the internal cost for addressing audit questions. Multinationals entrust us with preparing of respective compliance reports as well as seek our advice on communication of their transfer pricing to tax authorities.
Our respective Services: Advise on the TP-Aspects of Inter-company Agreements * OECD-based Local and Master Files * Advice on Tax Rulings and Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) * Expert Opinions in Tax Audits and Courts
Risk Management and Corporate Governance
Arm’s-length compliant and economically efficient setup is also a crucial aspect for risk management and corporate governance. With the broad implementation of ESG-reporting requirements, intra-group arm’s-length conduct holds increasing importance for public relations and managing reputational risks. In this line, our clients rely on us for holistic assessment of exposures and opportunities on a macro-level.
Our respective Services: Transfer Pricing Risk Reviews * Support with TP-Aspects of Tax Control Frameworks * Advice on Operational Governance * Training of Personnel on TP-Matters
High Professional Standards
Basis for our support are the GACVA Professional Standards in their current form as of June 2023. These principles-based standards have been developed by the Global Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts to provide guidance to valuation professionals performing valuation and other professional services. The appropriate use of professional judgement is an essential component.
For valuation services, we typically rely on the International Valuation Standards in their current form as of January 2025. These standards, also principle-based, are developed by the International Valuation Standards Council to promote and maintain a high level of public trust in valuation practices. As such, they establish appropriate global requirements for valuations. Where clients require this, we can also support with valuations under domestic standards such as the German IDW S1.
Specifically for transfer pricing analyses, we rely on the arm’s-length standard as laid down especially in the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations in their current form as of January 2022. These guidelines are prepared by the OECD’s Committee on Fiscal Affairs to help avoid economic double taxation, comply with social responsibilities, and support an economically efficient business setup.