one day, one focus, one network
How RSM member firms succeeded in making a world of difference in just one day.
ISSUE 3 – September 2014
RSM WORLD DAY
50Celebrating
1964 - 2014
years
RSM International Executive Office 11 Old Jewry London EC2R 8DU United Kingdom
T +44 (0)20 7601 1080 F +44 (0)20 7601 1090 E [email protected] www.rsmi.com
RSM is the brand used by a network of independent accounting and advisory firms each of which practices in its own right. The network is not itself a separate legal entity of any description in any jurisdiction.
The network is administered by RSM International Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (company number 4040598) whose registered office is at 11 Old Jewry, London EC2R 8DU.
The brand and trademark RSM and other intellectual property rights used by members of the network are owned by RSM International Association, an association governed by article 60 et seq of the Civil Code of Switzerland whose seat is in Zug.
© RSM International Association, 2014
foreword
RSM World Day is a very special event in RSM’s busy calendar, and it is a day that I always look forward to. This year, staff around the world celebrated our third RSM World Day – and yet again – our member firms pulled out all the stops to make it a huge success.
As you can see from the photographs in this magazine, on 18 September 2014, the member firms of the RSM network united together through acts of kindness and generosity by partnering with national, or local, charities through volunteering and community work, and other charitable giving activities. Connections were strengthened between staff and clients as various events were held around the world to build relationships, learn more about RSM and celebrate our 50th Anniversary on a global stage.
Whether it’s visiting an orphanage, taking a trip to the pyramids, or even staging a jazz concert for clients, the aim is to focus on our network’s values: quality, growth, developing people and serving clients. It is also a day of fun – have a look at RSM’s YouTube channel to watch some of the great films made by our member firms during the day.
Even though this is only the third RSM World Day, it’s amazing how many people, charities, businesses and communities have benefited from our common actions, and I hope this will continue for many years to come.
Jean Stephens Chief Executive Officer
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 1
“The spiriT was really excellenT!“
austrIaRSM Exacta
RSM Exacta started sowing the seeds of success by planting 40 fruit trees in Vienna, symbolic of the organic growth of RSM and its firms, and the hope for a fruitful future. They had a number of games and competitions, then finished the day with a dinner party for all their staff. Hopefully next year they will be able to see the fruits of their labour and celebrate by eating their organically grown food.
RSM Chile
RSM Chile really made a song and dance about RSM World Day through holding a folk dancing session, and also by hosting a football match. They then showed their strength in a mass ‘tug-of-war’.
chIle
2 | RSM WoRld day 2014
georgIaRSM Capto Group
In Georgia, they celebrated in style with cake and wine, while looking back on some of their great achievements during RSM’s 50th Anniversary year. These included a competition for a scholarship grant for students (and a chance to work at RSM Capto Group), the sponsorship of a music event, and a number of activities with the National Federation of School Sports of Georgia.
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 3
hongkong
RSM Nelson Wheeler
In Hong Kong, RSM staff treated 70 elderly folk from The Hong Kong Society for the Aged to a Chinese Lunch Banquet.
They also sponsored various other charity events including a walk for the Children’s Heart Foundation, as well as spending
time with young patients of a children’s hospital. Advertising and press coverage appeared in A-Plus magazine, the South
China Post and The Malaysian Association of Hong Kong.
4 | RSM WoRld day 2014
“we enjoyed a meaningful day by spending Time wiTh
The underprivileged elderly households and young paTienTs
from a children’s hospiTal.”
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 5
“Across Greece and Cyprus we celebrated RSM World Day and our network’s 50th Anniversary by doing ‘50 Acts of Love and Kindness’.
We rented a bus and visited multiple locations in order to give our “packages of love” to the elderly, poor, young single mothers, children and people in need. We also carried out some spontaneous acts of kindness in the centre of Athens with passers-by, donated eight mammograms to women who are unable to finance them themselves, made parcels with school materials and items for children whose families are facing difficulties with their finances, ran a mini marathon in order to raise money for a hospital and also donated blood. Moreover, our firm is sponsoring a young boy from Ethiopia through ActionAid. His name is Debebe Zemedu and he is seven years old.
Finally, we ended the day with a late lunch at the new Acropolis Museum, with a marvelous view of the Parthenon!”
greeceRSM Greece
50 acTs of love
and Kindness
6 | RSM WoRld day 2014
“In Cyprus, staff donated food and groceries to the Social Grocery Store run by the church that offers these items to the poor, followed by a lunch in the office.”
“it was a truly, very moving and inspiring day, during which we helped many people and learnt from the volunteers at the organisations we visited and the people we met!”
r u s
cyp
RSM Cyprus
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 7
ItalyRSM Italy
In Milan staff were wined and dined by… themselves! They went on a trip to make their own wine before going out for lunch. We hear
they made a fantastic RSM Chianti Classico.
“we really enjoyed
maKing wine, buT we
enjoyed drinKing iT
even more! happy rsm
world day.”
8 | RSM WoRld day 2014
IsraelRSM Shiff Hazenfratz & Co.
It has been a difficult summer for the citizens of Israel, particularly for children in the south who, because of the “Operation Protective Edge,” were forced to spend their vacation in bomb shelters rather than in parks or at beaches.
During the operation, the partners and staff of RSM Shiff, Hazenfratz & Co. joined the efforts to support them by sending donations of cash, toys, books and games for the endangered children in Ashdod, Ashkelon and Beersheba.
Also, as on every RSM World Day, the partners and staff of RSM Shiff Hazenfratz & Co. left their financial statements and tax reports to cheer up the patients in Reut Rehabilitative Center – a hospital for patients with special needs. Together with volunteers from Refuha Vesimcha, staff danced, played and sang and put a smile on the faces of the patients.
“a happy event such as rsm world
day gives us a chance, once a year, to
emphasise and put into practice the firm’s
values and to hold an event for the good
of the community in which we live. indeed,
this is one of our guiding principles as a
firm and as human beings.
we think that every firm in the rsm
international network must be focused on
commitment to their community and to
help the weak parts in their society that
are not as fortunate as others.”
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 9
Arabian Professional Group (APG)
In Jordan, RSM staff put their blood, sweat and tears into RSM World Day by donating blood to the King Hussein Cancer Foundation. To get some colour back in their cheeks they then went on a tour of some Jordanian historical sites before hosting a special dinner for staff and clients.
j o r d a n
malay sIaRSM Robert Teo, Kuan & Co.
As well as a whole host of activities, RSM staff in Malaysia had a video competition on Facebook to see who could get the most likes. They are worth checking out by visiting: www.facebook.com/rsmrktmalaysia
10 | RSM WoRld day 2014
n o r w a yRSM Hasner Kjelstrup & Wiggen
Norway went cupcake crazy, ordering 500 to hand out to people in their local area at lunch time.
They kept a few for themselves as well though!
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 11
12 | RSM WoRld day 2014
RSM Scot’s activity on RSM World Day began with a speech given by Managing Partner, Dan Schwartz, to partners and staff about the RSM network.
Staff then visited children in an orphanage, the Pinocchio Center, where they spread gifts and spent some time playing and talking with the children – both the adults and children had a great time. This was followed by a staff meal on the terrace located on the banks of one of Bucharest’s beautiful lakes.
“OuR GOAL WAS TO CELEbRATE RSM WORLD
DAY bY DOING SOMETHING GOOD, bY MAKING
SOMEbODY ELSE HAPPY, AND bY GIvING TO PEOPLE
WHO REALLY NEED SuPPORT AND HELP.”
romanIaRSM Scot
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 13
russIa
RSM RuS
To celebrate RSM’s 50th Anniversary, and foundation in 1964, RSM’s staff in Russia had a groovy 60s themed day: dressing up and taking pictures before having a client-focused training day with various workshops. And one poor person took part in the ice bucket challenge!
“we were very excited about celebrating rsm
world day. it was our best one to date, especially
given that this is the year that rsm is turning 50.”
14 | RSM WoRld day 2014
south afrIcaRSM betty & Dickson
The Johannesburg office of RSM Betty & Dickson thought outside the box for their RSM World Day activities by packing over 120 Santa shoeboxes for charity. These are boxes filled with various items that would be considered essential but are actually a luxury to underprivileged children. Each box contained a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, a washcloth, an item of stationery, an outfit, some sweets and a toy.
RSM Betty & Dickson (Durban) held a food drive for Khulani Kahle Child Care & Support Centre as well as celebrations taking place in Tshwane and Cape Town.
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 15
spaIn
RSM Gassó
RSM Gassó certainly weren’t clowning around on RSM World Day as they donated blood and then visited a local hospital along with a few clowns from the Magos Solidarios Association.
16 | RSM WoRld day 2014
u nIted arab e mIrates RSM Dahman
VIetnamRSM DTL Auditing
In Vietnam, RSM staff were sent out to clean up the city, by clearing up garbage in the streets around the office. They then used that clean space to gather and perform a flashmob dance based on the RSM World Handshake.
“After a morning meeting we headed out for a game of Paintball. The way the teams were set up, it seemed all the auditors wanted a chance to shoot at the Managers and Partners! Ouch!”
“We then went to a gourmet Indian restaurant for some kebabs and curries. It was a great, fun day fulfilling the primary purpose of RSM World Day: identifying with RSM as a global organisation bonding between staff.”
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 17
swItzerlandRSM Switzerland
“We started off by having a meeting with all the staff to keep them up to date with all the developments in the RSM network including a presentation of new employees that are joining the
firm. RSM World Day became RSM World Night as we went to a restaurant for food and drinks!”
peruRSM Peru
Among many things, the staff at RSM’s Peruvian firm, RSM Peru, sent 100 blankets to people living at the dizzy heights of 3800m above sea level. As you can imagine it gets pretty cold for them in the winter, on occasion reaching -20°C!
The firm also took part in job fairs spreading the RSM name and capturing new talent for the network.
RSM staff in India get ready to eat a delicious-looking cake.
Advertising in the Business Standard.
IndIaSuresh Surana & Associates/RSM Astute Consulting
18 | RSM WoRld day 2014
croatIaRSM Hodicon d.o.o
Staff from all offices attended a day trip to a medieval castle. The event included training and discussion groups for staff on various subjects including IFRS, IT, contracting, reporting, EU projects and methodology.
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 19
saudI
RSM Allied Accountants
The staff in Saudi Arabia didn’t disappoint with a day packed with activities. The highlight was visiting the orphans and homeless children of Social Affairs Nursery Home where RSM staff had a chance to play and give out presents.
ar
ab
Ia
20 | RSM WoRld day 2014
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 21
RSM George Mathew & Co.
Staff from Oman spent the day visiting an ancient watch tower that looks out over Muscat, the nation’s capital.
o m a n
RSM TACOMA
Ready, steady, go! RSM TACOMA’s staff held a Summer Olympic Games Day, and won gold by giving clothes and equipment to the Tereza Maxová Foundation for children.
czech republIc/
sloVakIa
22 | RSM WoRld day 2014
honduras
Staff from Honduras firm, RSM Aguirre Nuñez & Asociados, were treated to dinner in a luxurious restaurant with incredible views. It gave them the opportunity to discuss the RSM network and its achievements, while getting to know new members of staff. We hear the food was excellent too!
RSM Aguirre Nuñez & Asociados
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 23
denmarkRSM Plus
Staff from RSM Plus in Denmark took on the challenge of learning a new sport – DiscGolf - with special RSM branded ‘Frisbee the Best’ discs to throw around!
netherlandsRSM Netherlands
24 | RSM WoRld day 2014
Staff had a well-earned break from their Annual Accountancy Academy to have fun making a film for RSM World Day and having an extra-special cake break!
m a u r I t I u s
moroccoRSM Acconcil
In Morocco RSM staff gave blood at the Casablanca Blood Centre.
RSM Margéot & Associates
Staff celebrated RSM World Day by sponsoring a dinner for children in a local orphanage. They also packed and distributed gifts for the children including school bags with essential items such as pens, pencils, copybooks etc.
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 25
RSM Patricio, Moreira, valente & Associados
The Portuguese delved into their own country’s history and culture in both Lisbon and Porto. In the capital they visited the home of the world-renowned pastries, Pasteis de Belém, and then went sight-seeing around the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Heironymite Monastry). The staff in Porto paid a visit to Casa da Música, a major concert hall designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.
Advertising in Diario Económicoport
ugal
26 | RSM WoRld day 2014
SIAO Chartered Accountants
SIAO Chartered Accountants had a busy day taking photos, then cleaning the streets, eating cake, having a party and joining the RSM World
Handshake. Phew!
nIge rIa
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 27
RSM Mezan
luxembourgRSM FHG & Associés
This year, RSM FHG & Associés in Luxembourg were lucky enough to be visited by their Prime Minister, Mr Xavier Bettel, who was very impressed with the RSM World Day celebrations.
“we organised several activities for rsm world day this year. To mark the special occasion, we designed and ordered polo shirts with the rsm logo imprinted on the front and the 50th anniversary logo on the back. These shirts were worn by all staff throughout the day. we also participated in the rsm world handshake.
in the morning, several staff members volunteered to donate blood to the local blood bank. following this, everyone gathered in our office conference room to view the rsm world day 2014 presentation. at the end of the day, there was an early dinner ending with a ‘50’ cake to mark the special anniversary.“
bahraIn
qatar
28 | RSM WoRld day 2014
At RSM Kapital Karden they took advantage of their capital city, Istanbul, by cruising down the Bospherous on a boat before having a football match. A Turkish delight-ful day.
turkey RSM Kapital Karden
Thanks to RSM Kapital Karden’s efforts, the RSM World Handshake made an appearance on Bloomberg and in HT Borsa
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 29
unIted states
koreaShinhan Accounting Corporation
McGladrey hosted a staff discussion on their international growth efforts. This was a great way to spread awareness about their capabilities, encourage discussion, identify communication gaps, and share ways to get involved across the firm. Around the US staff took part in International Coffee Breaks with cupcakes and special decorations celebrating the countries where RSM has a member firm.
McGladrey LLP
In Korea, the staff from Shinhan Accounting Corporation spent a full day of company training.
30 | RSM WoRld day 2014
m e x I c oRSM bogarín
“We had some races ending with the ice bucket challenge
and donations to several charities. This year we have been
working on an internal communication campaign to promote
integration and collaboration between our 28 offices in Mexico.
The umbrella became the icon of this campaign because it
easily communicates the idea of all staff being part of the
same firm with responsibilities and benefits.”
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 31
RSM Egypt – The Advisors Ltd.
RSM’s Egyptians didn’t bury their heads in the sand for RSM World Day. In fact, they rode camels over it, visiting the pyramids. They then treated some local orphans like little Pharaohs, taking them shopping for clothes and toys.
e g y p t
32 | RSM WoRld day 2014
RSM Germany
Our RSM friends in Germany were sehr sportlich as they went cycling, sailing and kite flying. Wunderbar!
germany
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 33
“rsm roc & company celebrated rsm world day by hosting a cheese and wine reception for all employees at its own building in san juan, puerto rico. The event, of course, included food and drink for all to celebrate with, and featured a generous serving of puerto rican ‘frituras’ – a local delicacy.
doris barroso, the firm’s managing partner, spoke about the trajectory of the rsm network, and how the firm has benefited since becoming a member in 1991. she also expressed her positive outlook for the years to come. The event was a great success, and went on until a little later than it was supposed to…”
RSM Chio Lim LLP
“rsm world day 2014 saw a lot of excitement as our staff took the opportunity to write their appreciation for their clients the ‘old-fashioned’ way: with a personal handwritten note on a thank you card! at the same time, it was very motivating for our staff as their clients returned the gesture. The activity, however, is not limited to just one day. we will be making visits all the way until the end of october 2014.
at rsm chio lim, we are committed to providing excellent client service which aims to delight. while this objective holds true all year round, we do make the extra concerted effort to demonstrate it when we celebrate rsm world day. it serves as a reminder which inspires us to keep going.”
apore
sIn
g
puerto rIco RSM ROC & Company
34 | RSM WoRld day 2014
fInlandRSM Auditsum Oy
As a part of RSM World day, RSM Auditsum Oy held a summit in the southwestern part of Finland
for RSM employees in a beautiful mansion.
hungaryRSM DTM Hungary
Over in Hungary, RSM staff visited Lake Balaton, a freshwater lake in the Transdanubian region of Hungary. It is the largest lake in Central Europe, and one of Hungary’s foremost tourist destinations. The mountainous region of the northern shore is known both for its historic character and as a major wine region. The experience will certainly have left them Hungary for more travel!
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 35
kenya tanzanIa RSM Ashvir
The team in Mombasa spent the day at Mombasa Children’s Home. They shared a meal with the children and spent the afternoon doing various activities with them such a playing soccer, jumping castle, dancing and singing. They also gifted each child with stationery items and other goodies.
Elsewhere in Africa, members of the Tanzania office enjoyed a trip to Zanzibar and staff in Uganda and Nairobi held team building exercises.
36 | RSM WoRld day 2014
u g a n d a
Ireland
RSM Farrell Grant Sparks
It looks like RSM Farrell Grant Sparks had a great party, but the DJ doesn’t look like he knows what he’s doing...
Advertising in the Sunday Business Post
The Sunday Business Post
September 21, 2014
News Focus 9
As welcome as the strong
economic numbers published last week are,
they are an extra pressure
on Michael Noonan as he
prepares Budget 2015
‘W h a t ’ s s m a l l to one is big to anoth-
er”. That is how Minister for
Finance Michael Noonan de-
scribed the different expecta-
tions among the public about
how much they will get back
in tax cuts in the forthcoming
budget.But with the publication of
figures showing the economy
growing at the fastest pace for
seven years, his task of damp-
ening down expectations just
got harder. Despite warnings about re-
peating the economic mis-
takes of the past, the pressure
for simultaneous tax cuts and
spending increases have risen
sharply since the Dáil returned
from its summer break last
week.
Noonan’s thinking on tax cutsDuring Fine Gael’s recent par-
ty meeting in Cork, Noonan
pointed out to backbenchers
that it would be possible to
ringfence a reduction in the
Universal Social Charge (USC)
for low income workers for a
relatively low cost. That would
keep Labour TDs happy.
The expectation in the party
is that he may then look af-
ter middle and higher income
workers - the key part of Fine
Gael’s voting base as well as
Labour’s - by changing the
€32,000 entry point at which
they go onto the higher 41 per
cent rate of tax.Noonan hinted at this com-
bined approach last week
when he said that he was
looking at the USC, income tax
and PRSI. He said the best mix
was to use all of them because
otherwise there would be a
“very uneven distribution” of
the benefits among workers.
The pressure for tax cuts is
all the greater given that con-
sumers will be paying another
new tax - in the form of water
charges - from October 1. Fi-
anna Fáil finance spokesman
Michael McGrath said that the
government was engaging in
a concerted effort to down-
play expectations that had
built up dramatically in recent
months.“There is scope for tax relief
in the budget. But I hope it will
be structured in a way that all
workers benefit, particularly
those on low and middle in-
comes,” he said.
Prisoner’s dilemma in the civil service
The public service is going to
have to deliver some spending
cuts to pay for the tax cuts to
meet the government’s ob-
jective of having a “broadly
neutral budget”.Public expenditure minister
Brendan Howlin had asked
government departments to
identify spending cuts of 5
per cent in their budgets to
give him options, but they
manifestly failed to deliver.
He explained this by saying
that departments did not want
to miss out on any spare cash.
“The expectation of re-
covery was in the air, and
departments, I suppose, not
wanting to be the one who was
the most prudent and afraid if
there was anything additional
to be given out, they might
lose out on it, certainly did bid
higher than was expected,”
he said.It shows that the civil ser-
vice understands the concept
of the prisoner’s dilemma, the
scenario where two offenders
are offered the option of get-
ting a lesser sentence if they
inform on the other for their
joint crime. Their best option
is to work together by staying
silent and both getting off with
a lesser sentence. This “omer-
ta” approach is what the civil
service is trying to do to ward
off spending cuts.Howlin responded by warn-
ing ministers at cabinet last
week to come up with more
realistic spending plans. He is
going to hold individual meet-
ings with ministers over the
next fortnight. The message
from him and Noonan is that
a failure to control spending
is a “threat to the recovery”.
But independent TD Denis
Naughten said he feared that
the focus on eliminating inef-
ficiencies in the public service
would disappear when de-
partments knew additional
funds were available.“You bring an addict into a
pub, you give him a smell of a
half one and you tell him to get
out. Brendan Howlin is trying
to get him out the door with-
out drinking the half one,”
he said.The warnings from min-
isters that a “giveaway bud-
get” is not on the cards has
also made little impression
on some of their own back-
benchers.Last week alone, Labour TD
Derek Nolan had been seek-
ing to halt the planned rise
in student contribution fees
to €3,000 next year “to give
families the relief that they
need”, while his colleague
Robert Dowds had been ask-
ing about reversing the cuts to
the respite grant for carers in
the budget.Fine Gael TDs are adopting a
more cautious approach, with
several saying that people had
forgotten the country was still
borrowing €9 billion this year
to balance the books.Fine Gael Dublin South TD
Olivia Mitchell said it would
be disastrous if the budget in-
cluded tax cuts which had to
be reversed the following year.
“If you are giving something
back, it has to be sustainable
for the next year. It’s a delicate
balancing act,” she said.
The budgetary effect of the by-elections
It is very unusual for two
by-elections to be taking place
four days before the budget,
but that is due to the six-
month deadline introduced in
legislation by the government.
Both have arisen from the Eu-
ropean elections, with Fine
Gael Dublin South West TD
Brian Hayes and independent
Roscommon TD Luke ‘Ming’
Flanagan becoming MEPs.
The government is not ex-
pected to win either seat, but
Labour will be hoping that it
gets a better by-election re-
sult under Joan Burton than
it did under Eamon Gilmore
in Meath East.In Dublin South West, La-
bour has a capable candidate
in Councillor Pamela Kearns,
who runs a play school for
three to four-year-old chil-
dren in the constituency. She
still had some fairy dust on her
cheeks at the recent Labour
“think in” in Wexford, after
building fairy castles for chil-
dren in her play school earlier
in the morning.Fine Gael’s candidate is Sen-
ator Cait Keane, while Fianna
Fáil is running Councillor John
Lahart, with the next general
election very much in mind.
His base in Rathfarnham is
outside the constituency, but
will be inside it when it is
redrawn at the next general
election.But the favourite to take
the seat is Sinn Féin Coun-
cillor Cathal King, given his
party’s strong performance in
the constituency in the local
elections.The father of two initially
announced that he was not
going to run, so that Sinn Féin
could select a female candi-
date to improve the party’s
gender balance. But he said
that he had changed his mind
after being contacted by dis-
appointed local supporters.
Although the signs of the
economic recovery are grow-
ing even stronger, King insist-
ed that many areas in the con-
stituency had never seen the
Celtic Tiger in the first place.
“There is a slight improve-
ment in jobs, but it is not be-
ing seen on the ground. The
quality of life of people has
not improved in any shape or
form,” he said.With the other by-election
taking place in Roscommon
South Leitrim, it was no co-
incidence that Fianna Fáil
chose to introduce a private
bill in the Dáil last week
calling for an exemption for
water charges for those with
undrinkable water. There are
19,000 people in Roscommon
on boil water notices.Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Mar-
tin, who brought up the issue
during his Leader’s Questions
slot last week, is hoping that
Councillor Ivan Connaugh-
ton can win back the seat that
the party lost to Luke ‘Ming’
Flanagan at the last general
election. Sinn Féin is running Coun-
cillor Martin Kenny, while
‘Ming’ is backing indepen-
dent Councillor Michael
Fitzmaurice - a turf-cutting
contractor who has the dis-
advantage of trying to win a
seat in Roscommon from his
base in neighbouring Galway.
The two government can-
didates, Labour Senator John
Kelly, and Fine Gael Council-
lor Maura Hopkins, are rank
outsiders.
The budget run-inThe government has now to
deliver on a series of conflict-
ing promises in the budget.
It has to control day-to-day
spending and reduce the €200
billion national debt on the
one hand, while delivering tax
cuts and spending increases
on the other hand. Minister for Health Leo
Varadkar is at the head of
the queue for the lion’s share
of the €600 million in extra
funds on offer, but Howlin’s
position on health is that the
government cannot continue
to shovel more money into the
sector “at the expense of ev-
eryone else”. Whatever the final out-
come, it is safe to say there
will be no government back-
benchers going overboard as a
result of this budget. But as the
government is now realising,
delivering a budget in a time
of rising expectations is still a
difficult task.
BudgetiNg for every
eveNtuAlityMichael Brennan Political Correspondent
The pressure for tax cuts and spending increases are
rising rather than falling
Brendan Howlin and Michael Noonan
will be careful to dampen down public
expectations ahead of Budget 2014Picture: PA
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It contains information on how to confi rm your household details
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• The Application Number and PIN (found in your pack)
• You may need PPS Numbers for you and your children
RSM Farrell Grant Sparks is a member of the RSM network. Registered to carry on audit work and authorised to carry on investment business by the Institute
of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI). Chartered Accountants Ireland is the operating name of ICAI. Each member of the RSM network is an independent
accounting and advisory fi rm which practices in its own right. RSM International Limited does not itself provide any accounting and advisory services.
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50Celebrating
1964 - 2014
years
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 37
RSM Kwang-I Earnest & Co., CPAs
RSM staff in Taiwan amused themselves and a group of children from a local elementary school by visiting an amusement park for the day. What a ride!
taIwan
38 | RSM WoRld day 2014
azerbaIjanRSM Azerbaijan
The RSM staff in Azerbaijan enjoyed some great views and some delicious food before lighting Chinese lanterns.
franceRSM France
RSM France’s day certainly wasn’t run-of-the-mill as they had a charity race in Lyon. The money raised will be used for the renovation of an SOS Children’s Village in the north of France. This charity provides orphaned and abandoned children with loving family homes. In Paris they celebrated RSM’s 50th Anniversary through the RSM World Handshake initiative, and looking back over a successful year.
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 39
IndonesIaRSM AAJ Associates
RSM AAJ Associates spent the day in the hospital, first of all giving blood, then looking after children in an oncology ward.
RSM unity
RSM Unity celebrated RSM World Day and the 50th Anniversary of RSM International with an office party, where different activities took place in order to promote teamwork and to increase the sense of belonging to the firm and the network. They really showed their unity with the rest of the network.
uru guay40 | RSM WoRld day 2014
baker Tilly
A visiting team of McGladrey staff tucked into a specially made cake as part of the World Day celebrations at Baker Tilly’s office in London. Numerous Baker Tilly offices across the UK also participated by organising events such as cake ‘bake offs’, international quizzes, and preparing food dishes from around the world.
unIted kIngdom
RSM Panama
“we visited the panama children’s hospital where the whole firm shared a wonderful time with hospitalised children. The event included clowns, food, gifts, photographer and our rsm 50th anniversary cake. The children especially
enjoyed the face painting!”
p a n a m a
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 41
zealandRSM Prince
RSM Prince hosted a quiz night at the Ronald McDonald House in Auckland. Ronald McDonald House is a global charity that provides support for families with sick children.
RSM Prince, with the assistance of local quiz company, ‘Believe It Or Not Quizzes’, put on a special kids quiz for the evening. It was a great success and the families that attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
n e w
chInaRuihua CPAs All the RSM World Day boxes were ticked by the staff in China who
took part in a number of activities. Firstly they visited a national monument in Zhengda Square, followed by a 50th birthday party including presentations for the staff on RSM by the Chinese partners. They also spread the RSM word to clients through a jointly organised activity with the AIA.
42 | RSM WoRld day 2014
RSM bX Ltd.
RSM staff were treated to a special evening at one of Sofia’s most exclusive venues. The good music and the excellent catering contributed to the mood of the guests and the celebration of RSM World Day turned out to be an excellent networking event.
argen tIna
RSM Torrent Razzetto
RSM Torrent Razzetto had a rather grand day, with afternoon tea at the Círculo Italiano de Convenciones, a beautiful hall with an open-roofed area, perfect for networking. They also gave donations to Fundación Banco de Alimentos, a charity that feeds those in need.
bulgarIa
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 43
staff were taken out of the city on an outing to cha-am. here
staff took part in team-building exercises and competitions
culminating in a gala red carpet event held in the evening to
celebrate their achievements. The firm also made a donation to a
Thai charity.
44 | RSM WoRld day 2014
RSM Advisory Thailand Limited
thaIland
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 45
yemenRSM Dahman
Staff in Yemen from RSM Dahman broke the ice by going skating so they could discuss the RSM network. Cool.
46 | RSM WoRld day 2014
belgIumRSM belgium
The cool cats in Belgium held a jazz concert at the famous Flagey concert hall in Brussels to celebrate RSM’s 50th Anniversary and RSM World Day with over 800 clients and contacts attending.
RSM APiK
This year, RSM APiK held presentations and training on RSM World Day. The firm also made a charity donation to support Ukrainian citizens in the east of Ukraine.
RSM KC Public Accounting Services
RSM KC Public Accounting Services in El Salvador visited one of their clients – a charity that promotes cultural activities to underprivileged children. The foundation has a cultural centre that includes a museum of Mayan and Pipils history where children can learn about their ancestors, a music house where they can make music with everyday objects (cans, buckets, pipes etc.), an art house where they can sculpt or paint, and a theatre.
el
u k r a I n e
salVador
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 47
cayman IslandsRSM Cayman Ltd
48 | RSM WoRld day 2014
“The staff at rsm cayman felt energised and fulfilled after a wonderful afternoon of putting
smiles on the faces of 65 underprivileged children at miss nadine’s pre-school run by the national
council of Voluntary organisations.”
brazIlRSM ACAL Consultoria e Auditoria
Brazil’s RSM World day was a long one with activities packed in from 8am to 11pm. In that time, partners and staff managed the following: staff breakfast and presentation on the objectives of RSM World Day, volunteering at Beauty in the School, a lecture on the ‘Quality of Life’ by Psychologist Dr. Silvana Calixto, celebratory BBQ lunch, an afternoon of sports including trekking and hunting, and if that wasn’t enough they finished the day with a ‘The Voice’ style karaoke evening.
polandRSM Poland KZWS
Staff at RSM Solis Ibarra & Asociados in Nicaragua toasted RSM’s 50th
Anniversary putting on a special party with T-shirts, cakes, balloons, posters and decorations. Not to mention, lots of Champagne!
nIcaraguaRSM Solis Ibarra & Asociados
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 49
In Poland staff enjoyed a two-day event including staff training, team building, group Samba-dancing and donating a lot of diapers for a children’s home!
northern IrelandRSM McClure Watters
During the day, staff took part in a Dragon Boat race in aid of Cancer Focus. Twelve teams entered the race and as a group of 17 (who had never participated before) they finished third in the time trials which took them into the semi-finals. The team gave everything and led for most of the semi-final but sadly lost out on a place in the final by inches!
In the evening, staff held a BBQ on their balcony to host a triple celebration – RSM McClure Watters 25th Anniversary, RSM’s 50th Anniversary and RSM World Day – inviting clients and contacts to celebrate with them.
50 | RSM WoRld day 2014
RSM
bird
Cam
eron
“in australia we celebrated in a variety of ways. some offices held morning or afternoon teas to share stories of international activities and in particular, talk about the achievement of winning the iab international network of the year award. one of our offices held a social bowls club afternoon, which was used to network and build relationships with each other.”
leba
RSM Gebran, Moughanni & Partners
RSM Gebran, Moughanni & Partners spent their day meeting and serving food to people less fortunate than themselves at the Caritas Centre.
no
n
a u s t r a l I a
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 51
VenezuelaRSM León, Delgado & Asociados
The staff and partners from RSM León, Delgado & Asociados spread the RSM World Day message both internally and externally through radio and TV interviews, social sporting activities with employees, family members and clients as well as planting flowers and collecting and sorting plastic caps to raise money for Children Cancer Therapies.
botswanaRSM Gurugroup
For staff at RSM Gurugroup it was more than a day’s activity. As well as releasing Doing Business in Botswana on RSM World Day, staff enjoyed a traditional African braai party at Gaborone Game Reserve.
maltaRSM Malta
RSM Malta’s normally clean-cut staff got their hands dirty doing some maintenance work at a children’s home - Dar ta’ San Guzepp. Their day consisted of cooking, scrubbing, painting and washing while spending time with the children. They made a clean-sweep of it by tending to the garden too!
“our evenT was very successful
and sTaff enjoyed every biT of iT.”
HHHH thursday18 september 2014mmegi, vol 31, no.140
facebook 07
O mang Od Batumi: Cost of living, unemploy-ment, corruption, education and our security
as Batswana. We no longer feel safe, we fear
the same people who are supposed to protect us.
Unemployment rate is high n so is the cost of living,
that needs serious attention, there r a lot of corrupt acts
leveled against top officials with less on no action taken
against them n our education is slowly but surely losing
its value...Land allocation in GC and surrounding areas
mostly...Kgosiyang-Thabang Lifshitz Kgosiyang
Shaku’r: Salary increment,unemployment,land
allocation,improve education standards nd respect the
rule of lawTshephiso Modise:1.corruption 2.education 3.public servants welfare 4.unemployment 5.land Audit nd fast tracking land allocation
Isaac Damor Kobua: Unemployment, low wages &
poor allocation of landSchiller Skhokho Owl-bw: Unemployment.Kabo Kgengwenyane: Legalising prostitution, gays
and lesbian , providing foreign inmates with arv.Otlaathusa Godfrey Moitshoki: Since matshelo a
Batswana a ikaegile thata ka ditiro .re batla melao ya pere-
ko ee gatlelang bo pensun fund.medical Aid le tse dingwe
tsa ditshwanelo tsa pereko.gore ba bereki ba bo choppies le
bo engen le tse dingwe le bone ba nne le dibenefits fela jaaka
Batswana baba berekang ditiro tse dirileng.Emmanuel Ntuane: 1. Education and unemployement: our education is
more theoretical thats why we cannot find jobs and why
its difficult for us to start our own businesses2. Freedom of speech; media ke itlho la lehatse mo
sechabeng.gape whn u win it does not mean that all pple
voted for you and those who did not vote for you are
still entitled to their opinion3. Corruption 4. National security 5. LandOtlaathusa Godfrey Moitshoki: We need a univer-
sity of Mining in BotswanaOtlaathusa Godfrey Moitshoki: Introduction of
Agricultural courses mo dicollegingThato Thibazo Keekae: Poor land allocation because
there is a lot of undeveloped land that if developed we
could aall have a pieceMookamedi Ayoba Gabriel: Dituelo tsa bokgoba tsa
di campany tse di ikemetse ka nosi tse puso ya gompieno e
sa di tsenyeng legongnyana mo maragong gore ba oketse di
tuelo tsa bone,e.g choppies,spar, nd chinese campanyJJ A. Clayton: Poor land allocation processs,sky high
level of unemployment,general low remuneration in
public service, workers’ rights protection, poor service
delivery and coruption, corruption, corruption, corrup-
tion, corruption!Mthuz Mbatshi Dopzilla: Ditiro tsedi baya le zaka e
nne bayaGuy Ish Magosi: Accesibility of youth empower-
ment funds, discipline which seems to have totally
deteriorated over the years, upliftment of our health fa-
cilities and include new medical technologies and even
make them more attractive to use.
Top Five issues on election agendaThe Incredible Circle of Cousins (ICC) debates Top Five issues that form the agen-da for the 2014 general elections
Khama
Saleshando
Boko
To Advertise Please CallTel: 391 2667 Fax:390 7880
Audit | Tax | Consulting | Software“RSM House”, Plot 39, Commerce Park, Box 1816, Gaborone, Botswana
Tel: +267-3912805, Fax: +267-3959638, Cell: +267-72310395
E: [email protected]; W: www.gurugroup.bw
52 | RSM WoRld day 2014
executIVe offIceThe RSM Executive Office enjoyed a Food of the World lunch cooked by the Executive Office staff, to celebrate RSM’s global connections. Jean Stephens’ Boston Baked Beans were especially popular. For dessert, they made each other fruit smoothies using some blender-exercise bikes.
In the evening, RSM’s Regional Leaders and some special guests joined them on a boat trip on the River Thames. They also ran a global advertising campaign on FT.com during September, which was replicated in many languages around the world by RSM member firms.
HHHH thursday18 september 2014mmegi, vol 31, no.140
facebook 07
O mang Od Batumi: Cost of living, unemploy-ment, corruption, education and our security
as Batswana. We no longer feel safe, we fear
the same people who are supposed to protect us.
Unemployment rate is high n so is the cost of living,
that needs serious attention, there r a lot of corrupt acts
leveled against top officials with less on no action taken
against them n our education is slowly but surely losing
its value...Land allocation in GC and surrounding areas
mostly...Kgosiyang-Thabang Lifshitz Kgosiyang
Shaku’r: Salary increment,unemployment,land
allocation,improve education standards nd respect the
rule of lawTshephiso Modise:1.corruption 2.education 3.public servants welfare 4.unemployment 5.land Audit nd fast tracking land allocation
Isaac Damor Kobua: Unemployment, low wages &
poor allocation of landSchiller Skhokho Owl-bw: Unemployment.Kabo Kgengwenyane: Legalising prostitution, gays
and lesbian , providing foreign inmates with arv.Otlaathusa Godfrey Moitshoki: Since matshelo a
Batswana a ikaegile thata ka ditiro .re batla melao ya pere-
ko ee gatlelang bo pensun fund.medical Aid le tse dingwe
tsa ditshwanelo tsa pereko.gore ba bereki ba bo choppies le
bo engen le tse dingwe le bone ba nne le dibenefits fela jaaka
Batswana baba berekang ditiro tse dirileng.Emmanuel Ntuane: 1. Education and unemployement: our education is
more theoretical thats why we cannot find jobs and why
its difficult for us to start our own businesses2. Freedom of speech; media ke itlho la lehatse mo
sechabeng.gape whn u win it does not mean that all pple
voted for you and those who did not vote for you are
still entitled to their opinion3. Corruption 4. National security 5. LandOtlaathusa Godfrey Moitshoki: We need a univer-
sity of Mining in BotswanaOtlaathusa Godfrey Moitshoki: Introduction of
Agricultural courses mo dicollegingThato Thibazo Keekae: Poor land allocation because
there is a lot of undeveloped land that if developed we
could aall have a pieceMookamedi Ayoba Gabriel: Dituelo tsa bokgoba tsa
di campany tse di ikemetse ka nosi tse puso ya gompieno e
sa di tsenyeng legongnyana mo maragong gore ba oketse di
tuelo tsa bone,e.g choppies,spar, nd chinese campanyJJ A. Clayton: Poor land allocation processs,sky high
level of unemployment,general low remuneration in
public service, workers’ rights protection, poor service
delivery and coruption, corruption, corruption, corrup-
tion, corruption!Mthuz Mbatshi Dopzilla: Ditiro tsedi baya le zaka e
nne bayaGuy Ish Magosi: Accesibility of youth empower-
ment funds, discipline which seems to have totally
deteriorated over the years, upliftment of our health fa-
cilities and include new medical technologies and even
make them more attractive to use.
Top Five issues on election agendaThe Incredible Circle of Cousins (ICC) debates Top Five issues that form the agen-da for the 2014 general elections
Khama
Saleshando
Boko
To Advertise Please CallTel: 391 2667 Fax:390 7880
Audit | Tax | Consulting | Software“RSM House”, Plot 39, Commerce Park, Box 1816, Gaborone, Botswana
Tel: +267-3912805, Fax: +267-3959638, Cell: +267-72310395
E: [email protected]; W: www.gurugroup.bw
RSM WoRld day 2014 | 53
Advertising in Balans.
Staff from RSM Synneby get creative with spray paint and the RSM logo.
BalansNummer 5/2014
Chefredaktör och
ansvarig utgivare
Pernilla Halling
08-506 112 41
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Lisa Bergman
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08-506 112 49
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08-506 112 42
Grafisk form
Oh My!
Omslagsbild
Christian Gustavsson
Annonser
Mia Lagerbäck,
Swartling & Bergström Media AB
08-545 160 60, 070-319 09 10
TryckExakta
ISSN 0346-8208
Prenumerationsärenden
08-506 112 00, [email protected]
FAR-medlem: [email protected]
Balans ges ut av FAR med
tio utgåvor per år.
Tidningen kommer ut första
måndagen i varje månad, med
undantag för juli och augusti.
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Chefredaktören | Balans
intresset för eu-valet ökar. Men fortfarande väntas runt
hälften av alla svenskar strunta i att rösta i valet till EU-
parlamentet 25 maj.
det finns säkert en massa orsaker till att det förhåller sig
så. Och kanske ska både politiker och media ta på sig en del
av skulden. Men visst är det ändå skrämmande att så många
inte kommer att utnyttja sin demokratiska rätt att påverka
framtiden? Ibland hör jag skäl som att det inte spelar någon roll vilka
som sitter i parlamentet eftersom de ändå inte kan påverka
politiken reellt. Men argumentationen haltar. Faktum är
att valet till EU-parlamentet spelar större roll än någonsin
tidigare. Sedan förra EU-valet har parlamentet fått med-
bestämmande på ett tjugotal nya områden, som en följd av
Lissabonfördragets ikraftträdande hösten 2009. Och när det
gäller den inre marknaden har EU-parlamentet haft fullt
medbeslutande sedan tidigare.
ett färskt exempel som påverkar revisions- och råd-
givningsbranschen är det så kallade revisionspaketet som
nyligen antogs av parlamentet. Paketet har omkring hundra
artiklar om revisorer och revision och ska nu implementeras
i svensk lag. Och det är bara ett av många exempel på nya
lagar från EU som påverkar förutsättningarna för närings-
livet. Missa inte Rakel Lennartssons genomgång på sidan 11
om detta viktiga val, för såväl medborgare som näringsliv.
eu-minister birgitta ohlsson (FP) har 50 procents
valdeltagande som målsättning. Och även om intresset
för valet verkar öka så behöver hon nog lite hjälp 25 maj
– av dig och mig!
Visst röstar du i EU-valet?
Pernilla Halling
”Faktum är att
valet till EU-
parlamentet
spelar större
roll än någon-
sin tidigare.”
RSM är ett världsomspännande nätverk av revisorer, skattejurister och
rådgivare. Med närvaro i mer än 100 länder kan vi hjälpa dig att utveckla din
verksamhet.
Connected for success.
To find out more connect to rsmi.com
RSM Sweden is a member of the RSM network. Each member of the RSM network is an independent accounting and advisory firm each of which practices in its own right. The RSM network is not itself a separate legal entity of any description in any
jurisdiction. The RSM network is administered by RSM International Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (company number 4040598) whose registered office is at 11 Old Jewry, London EC2R 8DU. The brand and trademark RSM and other
intellectual property rights used by members of the network are owned by RSM International Association, an association governed by article 60 et seq of the Civil Code of Switzerland whose seat is in Zug. © RSM International Association, 2014.
RSM Sweden
I Sverige är vi 60 medarbetare och finns i Göteborg och Stockholm.
RSM Minocon AB, Stockholm, www.minocon.se
RSM Synneby KB, Göteborg, www.rsmsynneby.se
Kan du hjälpa mig
att utveckla min
verksamhet?
Absolut.
Kan du hjälpa
mig internationellt?Självklart.
Överallt och var
som helst?
Vi är
väletablerade.
Vi har mer än 700 kontor i fler än 100 länder
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4/16/2014 9:38:58 AM
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7|Balans # 5 / 2014sweden
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