A world of opportunity - Ernst & Young - Switzerland

Ernst & Young Monthly News March 2008

Media

Getting the auditing sector on the right track for the future – employees make all the difference

(PDF, German, 269 kB)
Source: Der Schweizer Treuhänder 2008|1-2
Author: Peter Athanas, Ernst & Young

The changes brought about by the Enron crisis have been largely implemented across the world, and much has been written about the resultant reorganization of listed companies. But what changes will the auditing and advisory services industry have to face? How are employees dealing with the increased pressure? And which business model will be the most successful for the future? The sector needs to consider its future openly.

Professional judgment – a must for high-quality auditing – viewpoint

(PDF, German, 175 kB)
Source: Der Schweizer Treuhänder 2008|1-2
Author: Thomas Stenz, Ernst & Young

Despite the fundamental changes to the auditing industry over the last twenty years, professional judgment is and remains an essential requirement for the provision of high-quality audit services.

A last-minute candidate

(PDF, German, 380 kB)
Source: St. Galler Tagblatt, February 14, 2008
Author: Christine König

Roger Krapf is standing for election to the vacant position on the Ausserrhoden administrative court.

The contribution of capital principle

(PDF, German, 195 kB)
Source: St. Galler Tagblatt, February 18, 2008
Author: Peter Krapf, Ernst & Young

The Swiss taxation system is shaped by the nominal value principle. This pillar of our taxation system provides that payments to shareholders are taxable unless they involve a repayment of nominal capital.

Potential approaches to be used in the tax dispute

(PDF, German, 437 kB)
Source: FuW, February 27, 2008
Authors: Markus F. Huber, Lionel Noguera, Ernst & Young

In the "tax dispute" between the EU and Switzerland, representatives of the two made hardly any more headway in the last round of talks, which was held in January. The way the Swiss have responded to the pressure under which the EU’s representatives have put their country suggests that consensus in their camp is still a long way off.

“More sovereign wealth funds could have come forward”

(PDF, German, 276 kB)
Source: HandelsZeitung, no. 9, 27.2.2007
Author: Samuel Gerber (Interview)

Daniel Zaugg, Partner Ernst & Young, on the sub-prime crisis and purchase preferences of foreign investors.

Financial management of real estate projects

(PDF, German, 271 kB)
Source: io new management no. 10 | 2007
Authors: Stephan Bergamin, Daniel Zaugg, Ernst & Young

Real estate projects are fraught with risk due to their long time horizons and high start-up costs. Stringent financial management helps to minimize such risks.