As a local authority you want to be in control. Monitoring risks and providing accountability for these is a must. Risks exist at a strategic, organisational, financial and operational level. For example, with regard to land developments or decentralisation in the social domain. Risks are a threat to an organisation, but good insight offers opportunities. BDO has ample experience in compiling a clear overview of risks and implementing a risk management system.

Financial Management

A sound financial management structure within your organisation optimises the relationship between strategy and financial control. Organisations vary greatly, which is why we approach situations from a number of perspectives. We consider the various management formats together with the stakeholders of municipalities. Not 'one size fits all', but tailor-made mixed management models. Our advisers are happy to help you in areas such as:

• assessment of financial implications;
• improved financial returns;
• management information;
• optimisation of financial function.

Risk Management

We offer you expertise in identifying, analysing, and interpreting strategic, operational and financial risks and identifying the appropriate control measures. For this purpose we use the BDO Control Framework and, where necessary, introduce soft controls.

Due diligence

Merging municipalities, joint arrangements or public-sector companies requires a sound investigation into the underlying figures and the story behind the figures. In addition to a financial background our specialists have knowledge of the administrative and political environment.

Process Optimisation

In order to be able to provide adequate services, more emphasis is needed to find opportunities to optimise processes. Quality improvement and costs savings. We also focus on the collaboration with and between chain partners in the public domain: an integral approach to services to citizens. BDO does this by analysing processes, by establishing what processes add value, and by eliminating wastage. Process optimisation makes an important contribution to:

• better quality services;
• improvement in chain cooperation;
• structural reduction in costs.

Measuring social yield

Municipalities want to have more and more outcome-based management: what impact can we achieve? Making social yield measurable has therefore become increasingly important in substantiating investment decisions. By measuring the Social Return on Investment (SROI) the added social value of the investment is expressed in Euros, and this creates the possibility to outline and monitor the interests of various stakeholders .

Taxation

Decentralisation, cooperation models, land policy: all issues that affect your VAT position. Especially now these issues are changing all the time, it is important that you keep a close eye on the VAT aspects of these developments. It is vitally important for you to obtain an accurate picture of your VAT position, not to miss any opportunities and to ensure that you do not become exposed to any risks.

Our tax specialists are happy to help you with tax legislation issues. including corporation tax, income tax, VAT or taking part in horizontal monitoring by the Dutch tax authorities.

Contact

We are happy to contribute ideas to these or any other topics. Would you like to know how you can regain control over your organisation? Please contact one of our Municipality Sector Group specialists on telephone number +31 88 236 48 06.