Developed world trails emerging economies on cross-border M&A

Cross-border deals out of the emerging economies are already on the increase while deals out of the developed economies have declined for the fourth consecutive period.

Innovation and value for money vital for Government Infrastructure plan

The recently announced National Infrastructure Plan is a significant step forward for New Zealand. The focus must now be on how to deliver innovation and sustainable value for money.

United Nations climate change leader joins KPMG

Yvo De Boer, one of the world’s leading authorities on climate change and sustainability, is leaving his international role with the United Nations to join KPMG, the global network of professional service firms.

Fraud rises to record levels in New Zealand

There has been a massive increase in the value of frauds in New Zealand in the second half of 2009, according to the KPMG Fraud Barometer report released today.

Farmers and Maori authorities should welcome ruling out of land tax

The Agribusiness sector including Farmers and Maori Authorities will be relieved at the ruling out of a land tax and Risk Free Rate of Return Method (RFRM) by the Prime Minister.

Property investment decisions shrouded in uncertainty

The silence on depreciation today in the Prime Minster’s speech on tax indicates that this remains very much a focus for the Government in its tax reforms.

KPMG welcomes clarity and package approach to NZ tax system but questions remain

We welcome the clarity provided by John Key in his opening speech today on the Government’s approach to New Zealand Tax reforms.

The sounds of silence on tax rates

The silence by the Prime Minister today on tax rates requires reading between the lines to see where the Government is heading.

GST increase puts tourism and financial institutions in the tax firing line

All business will be impacted by any increase in GST. However, Tourism and Financial Institutions will be more affected than others.

It’s not helpful for the NZ tax system to lurch one way then another

KPMG supports a fair, sustainable and balanced tax system that encourages better investment infrastructure, supports economic growth, and enables competitive advantage in the economy.

Corporates will be more confident to undertake M&A activity

The KPMG Global M&A Predictor forecasts that Corporates will have increased merger and acquisition (M&A) appetite and capacity this year.

Planning and good customer servicing essential to improve summer retail sales

Retail sales are expected to improve in November and December, but retailers need to lift their training of floor staff to provide effective customer servicing, according to KPMG.

IT confidence in US bodes well for Kiwi operators

According to a receent survey, Information Technology (IT) company confidence and turnover is expected to rapidly outpace economic growth in the United States. This spells good news for New Zealand’s IT companies.

NZ has 7th highest corporate tax rate but 25th highest GST rate in the OECD

New Zealand has the 7th highest corporate tax rate in the OECD however pressure is rising on indirect taxes such as GST, according to a survey released today by KPMG.

Mood of the Market survey: rising optimism but employees still nervous about job security

Small to medium sized companies are optimistic about the future with 85 per cent confident that business activity will either increase or remain the same over the next six to 12 months.

Flat retail sales expected to improve in summer

Retail sales are expected to improve in September and into the summer months.

New Zealand’s first fraud barometer identifies managers as biggest risk to business

New Zealand’s first “fraud barometer” survey has identified managers as the biggest risk to business, with internal staff members responsible for 30% of all fraud cases in the 18 months to June 2009.

NZ ranked 24 in personal tax rates - KPMG Study

New Zealand has the 24th highest top personal tax rate in the world, according to the latest survey by KPMG measuring global individual income tax and social security rates. The concern is that this is one of the factors contributing to overseas migration and the big OE which impacts New Zealand’s workforce and Government revenue.

Canterbury New Zealand Finds New Owner

The world-wide future of sportswear maker Canterbury of New Zealand has been secured through a two-tiered arrangement brokered by KPMG’s Restructuring & Insolvency Services Director, Shaun Adams, together with his UK colleagues.

Retailers losing a packet through theft, damage and errors

New Zealand retailers could be losing millions of dollars a year through preventable errors, theft and other stock losses - at a time when they can least afford it.

Asia–Pacific leading Europe in response to global recession, says KPMG

Asia-Pacific businesses are using the global recession as an opportunity for major changes to their operations, in anticipation of the emergence of new international markets, while many European businesses are still undecided on how to respond to the recession, a new study from KPMG International has found.

KPMG appoints Director of Restructuring and Insolvency Services

Shaun Adams has been appointed as Director of Restructuring and Insolvency Services within KPMG Advisory, the firm announced today.

Government throws out sea anchor – Budget 2009

Budget 2009 throws a sea anchor to stabilise an economy floating on a very stormy economic sea. However, more is required to put the economy back on course toward a fiscally sustainable position.

Secondary education results improve 44% faster using private funding partnership

A report released in New Zealand today by KPMG shows that schools using private funding partnerships have a 44 percent faster improvement in educational attainment and show less absenteeism than their conventionally funded counterparts, from research conducted in the UK.

Secondary education results improve 44% faster using private funding partnership- KPMG report shows

A recent report released in New Zealand by KPMG shows that schools using private funding partnerships have a 44 percent faster improvement in educational attainment and show less absenteeism than their conventionally funded counterparts, from research conducted in the UK.

Cost-cutting and recession could cause explosion in fraud

In turbulent times like these the impact that fraud may have on a business can be far more marked than under happier economic conditions. Unfortunately, the probability of a new fraud being perpetrated - or of a longer running fraud finally coming to light - is far higher in a recessionary climate.

New Zealand banks well placed to avoid the worst of the global crisis

While New Zealand banks cannot avoid some of the repercussions of the global financial crisis, they compare favourably to overseas, says KPMG’s Head of Financial Services, Godfrey Boyce, in KPMG’s latest banking and finance survey.

Transition plan needed to cope with October 2010 ‘wall of money’

The scheduled end of the Government-backed deposit guarantee schemes in October 2010 has created a “wall of money” and will leave many investors uncertain what to do if the schemes aren’t extended, Godfrey Boyce says in KPMG's latest banking and finance survey.

KPMG widens its scope in South Island market

KPMG has further widened its scope of business in the South Island, with local Christchurch firm Lowe and Associates merging with KPMG on 1 April 2009.

Unmasking the face of corporate fraud

KPMG's Fraud Survey 2008 shows that fraud continues to be a serious risk to business, with employees still instigating a large percentage of the major frauds against organisations.

Business or IT - Who is responsible for keeping corporate data secure? (word doc)

In an effort to combat the risks associated with electronic information management, a number of businesses are now introducing Identity and Access Management (IAM) strategies. These strategies address the challenge of managing the constant turnover of a diverse user population while also tackling ongoing system changes.

Debt modification – unravelling the confusing financial statement outcome (word doc)

As the impact of the global financial crisis bites, companies are negotiating with their debt holders to restructure their financial liabilities. More often than not restructuring these liabilities is part of a plan needed to ensure that the company will survive.

Islamic financing … the way of the future? (word doc)

One of the most dramatic developments in the global financial services industry in recent years has been the extraordinary growth of Islamic financing. The assets of Islamic financial institutions are estimated at USD $600 to $800 billion and growing at 15 to 25 per cent per year.

Economic Stimulus from Public Service Procurement (word doc)

The Chairman of KPMG’s Global Infrastructure and Projects Group, Dr Tim Stone, is encouraging the new government use smarter public service procurement strategies, including Public Private Partnerships or PPPs, to improve infrastructure and other public services throughout New Zealand.

New support for tax professionals seeking route to OECD’s enhanced relationship (word doc)

Tax authorities, taxpayers and tax advisers are being offered support in their efforts to achieve an enhanced relationship based on mutual trust and information disclosure. This new KPMG International publication offers a framework for renewed consultation and a benchmark questionnaire to measure progress.

Surviving the retail downturn

KPMG retail specialist advisors paint grim picture but explain how to navigate through tough times.

Tax & KiwiSaver compliance are big issues for business (Word doc)

Tax still emerges as the dominant cost priority for businesses with 70% of all respondents seeing it as a priority for change. After six years of the Business NZ KPMG Compliance Cost Survey there is now enough data to draw a “line in the sand” in terms of actual money costs of compliance for businesses.

Take control of your cash and survive a recession

Cash is the life blood of every business. Companies that understand this are in a position to develop a culture where everyone takes ownership of cash management. A business may generate profit but without positive cashflow, the business is unlikely to survive.

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