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What happens if the auditor makes a mistake? Which is the auditor’s liability in case when the auditor does not notice discrepancies in the report or hides them intentionally? How much help can the injured party expect from the insurer? You'll find an answer to these questions in a article written by Grant Thornton Baltic partner Mart Nõmper and legal adviser Lee Laanemäe.

There are different reasons for drawing up a business plan and the target groups can vary as well. Detailed business plans are compiled when starting a business or expanding it, entering the market with new services or products and raising capital from investors or lenders to execute your strategies. Grant Thornton Baltic financial advisers Mikk Mägi and Raili Ilves write about the importance of business plan and what are the key points in the plan.

Auditors, accountants and other white-collar workers have recently been working mainly from home offices. We can expect that more and more audits and accounting procedures will be done without actually meeting face to face. Grant Thornton Baltic partner and sworn auditor Mart Nõmper discusses in his article how has this new work organization affected us and what is to be expected in the near future?

The amendment of Bankruptcy Act entered into force, where the commencement of the term of the obligation to submit bankruptcy petition shall be suspended for the time of emergency situation due to coronavirus and two months thereafter. Aet Sallaste, head of legal services in Grant Thornton Baltic explains who are concerned by the amendment of the Bankruptcy Act.

On February 1st 2020, remote authentication was introduced for notarial transactions, which is equivalent to ordinary notarial authentication, i.e. authentication in the presence of a notary. Remote authentication as an innovative solution is a notarial act conducted via a video bridge between Estonian notary and an Estonian or an e-resident. Grant Thornton Baltic legal adviser Brigitta Jõgi opens the subject further.

The Accounting Standards Board has ruled that subsidy paid by the Unemployment Insurance Fund should be recognised as government grant as treated in Accounting Standards Board Guideline (ASBG) 12, “Government Grants“. How to account for the Unemployment Insurance Fund's temporary subsidy? Grant Thornton Baltic sworn auditors Kristiine Villemi and Mart Nõmper explain the subject further.

In a crisis, companies need to be able to respond quickly to change and to meet the needs of their employees, customers and partners, while managing the company's financial and operational challenges. Grant Thornton Baltic's Chief Internal Auditor Kai Paalberg names 5 top priorities that all companies should concentrate on when dealing with the crisis management.

Reorganization is being used to help a company that has temporarily become insolvent, for example due to the current pandemic and crisis. It is important to emphasize that a company can be reorganized if the business model is sustainable, and the difficulties are temporary. Grant Thornton Baltic partner Artur Suits opens the subject further in his interview.

From the 1st of July 2020 the changes of the commercial code state, that the minimum nominal value of a share is one cent instead of one euro, with the result that every cent of the share capital shall grant the shareholder one vote. Grant Thornton Baltic legal adviser Brigitta Jõgi explains the subject further.

Only a few companies have included an option of a virtual shareholders’ general meeting – e.g. using an instant messaging service or electronic voting application. Grant Thornton Baltic legal manager Kristel Tiits explains how to rectify this situation.

The government aid measures to alleviate the corona crisis have become rather confusing for entrepreneurs. According to Äripäev's radio program "Kasvukursil", there are in fact several ways for labour cost savings. In the studio were legal manager Kristel Tiits, HR manager Marge Litvinova and IT manager Arko Kurg from Grant Thornton Batic.

Estonia has been in a state of emergency for a month now, which has limited the work and regular routines of businesses and individuals alike. Sports clubs and entertainment centers are closed, and people are forbidden to visit shopping centers. Accordingly, businesses experience many disruptions in their usual business routines and activities. Under certain conditions, it is possible to rely on § 103 (2) of the Law of Obligations Act (hereinafter LOA), which establishes force majeure. Grant Thornton Baltic legal adviser Brigitta Jõgi explains when force majeure can be applied to the situation.

A subsidy to employees affected by the COVID-19 crisis was established by order of Estonian Government from March 23rd, 2020 „Employment program 2017-2020 . To apply for the employee subsidy the employer must meet 2 out of 3 requirements. What are those requirements and what action must employer take? Grant Thornton Baltic legal adviser Lee Laanemäe and legal manager Kristel Tiits explain the subject and give recommendations for further steps.

To improve liquidity, KredEx has developed crisis measures. It should be remembered that a company intending to use KredEx measures should first contact their home bank. Grant Thornton Baltic legal manager Kärolin Rohumäe explains what companies should do to be able to apply for the KredEx crisis packages.

The COVID-19 pandemic is placing companies and their management teams in a challenging situation due to the lockdowns and state of emergency established around the world. One of the most critical areas is managing the companies’ cash flows and decisions to maintain liquidity. Mikk Mägi, head of financial advisory in Grant Thornton Baltic, gives advice what should be a priority for the companies during the crisis.

During the emergency situation in Estonia, many employers have allowed some or all their employees to work from home. Allowing people to work from home cuts the risk of contracting the virus, but also raises the question of who is responsible for providing a safe and healthy work environment for the employee. Kärolin Rohumäe, Grant Thornton Baltic's legal adviser, explains in more detail.