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For many companies and institutions, internal audit is a legal obligation that cannot be waived even in difficult economic times. Therefore, the question inevitably arises as to how this obligation is most favorable and reasonable based on the needs of the company - hire your own internal auditor or outsource? Read the article! Grant Thornton Baltic's business risk services adviser Riin Veidenberg will help you with the decision.

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.

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.

The government has approved a package of measures to mitigate the initial stage of the crisis caused by COVID-19. The measures also include paying taxes, e.g. suspension on mandatory pension fund payments, relief on social tax payments, interest payments and the payment of tax liabilities in instalments.

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.

The crisis caused by the coronavirus is coinciding with the peak season for preparing annual reports. It raises the question of whether and how aspects related to the coronavirus be recognized in the 2019 financial statements and if so, how? Grant Thornton Baltic partner Mart Nõmper gives instructions in his article.

Sustainability is receiving increasing attention in both business plans and the speeches of politicians. Grant Thornton also focuses on sustainability issues in advising organizations and we are happy to share our experiences and thoughts with you.

Grant Thornton Baltic advises AS Baltika in reorganization proceedings. Grant Thornton Baltic’s team consists of partner Artur Suits, head of financial advisory Mikk Mägi and financial and business advisory manager Ants Ansper.

Temporary subsidies from the Unemployment Insurance Fund will be paid to those employees who are working under an employment contract and whose employers are significantly impacted by the current extraordinary circumstances. Grant Thornton Baltic advisors can help you assess whether your company qualifies for this measure, draw up the staff documents necessary to apply for the subsidy and assess the necessity and scope of applying for the subsidy.

Do companies take time out from everyday business operations for brainstorming on topics related to the company’s development and strategy, and if they do, how frequently?

Graanul Invest OÜ is Europe’s largest pellet producer and one of the biggest renewable energy producers in the Baltic Sea region. Grant Thornton Baltic conducted a valuation of the assets of Graanul Invest OÜ, which are pledged to Luminor Bank AS, i.e. property together with pellet factories and energy co-generation plants in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Auditors are like conspirators – people know they exist, but few understand what they are up to and why they are valuable. In general, the public hears about auditors only when something goes wrong somewhere.