AI Issue 4 2018 - Spanish VAT Services

8 Acquisition International - Issue 4 2018 “All of our decisions are based upon the needs of our clients. Our strategy is to go where our clients want us to go, accompanying them if they want us to do so. Like any other company, we want to grow and expand our activities. However, this only happens if there is a true motive behind it, and this reason is based on the necessities of our clients. Our clients are corporations that have decided to leave a significant part of their business in our hands, this is a huge responsibility for us. All our strategy and future actions revolve around this idea.” Recently, the company were selected as part of Acquisition Intl.’s 2018 Leading Adviser Awards, being named as the Leading Tax Attorney of the Year, Spain. Discussing the win, Fernando reveals what it means to have been selected, and highlighting the role staff play in the success of Spanish VAT Services Asesores, SL. “It is a huge honour. Spain is a big country with very high quality attorneys. It means we value this award very positively, as we see it as a recognition for our continuous efforts. It is a very important milestone for our firm, as it encourages us to keep on working hard serving our clients by delivering solutions with very high quality standards. “Recognition like this is a credit to all members of the firm. Every single person working at Spanish VAT Services Asesores, SL has an important role. Whether they work directly with clients or in other administrative or internal aspects of the firm is irrelevant, they are important and fundamental for a successful evolution of the company. “The team are a key part of Spanish VAT Services Asesores, SL and it is good that they keep this in mind. They must feel that they form part of an important project and that their role is unique and important for the rest of the team. Each person has a mission within the firm and they must be aware of this.” Bringing the interview to a close, Fernando informs us of key developments within the industry that he foresees, highlighting the ways in which the company will adapt around them. “The major development will be how to adapt to the needs of the new technologies, as well as to the digital economy. This digital economy is no longer the future, but instead our present and it is now here to stay. “As a company, we must make sure that we adapt to the development of times. However, we cannot forget that we are lawyers and we work with individuals. Personally, I do not agree with the current obsession to automate all processes, I firmly believe that we cannot automate everything. This is, in my view, a wrong approach. Personal relationships will never be replaced and this applies to work as business advisors.” Looking ahead, Fernando reveals to us some of the future plans that lie ahead for the company. “Moving forward, we will continue to help our clients and carry on working hard to spread what I call the ‘VAT culture’ in my country. Conversely to what happens in other countries (e.g. UK, The Netherlands or Belgium), only a few Spanish Tax and Law firms have decided to set up an Indirect Tax department within their structure. VAT and Indirect Tax advisory industry is an area still to develop in Spain. Also, we are doing a very big effort for developing the Indirect Tax culture amongst tax advisory firms and other companies and industries within Spain. For this reason, this recognition is a big support to all these efforts, as well as a recognition of our idea that indirect tax is and must always be a key topic in the corporations´ tax strategies. “Our firm is now a reference for VAT matters in Spain and we are considered as the foremost VAT experts in Spain. I humbly believe that we are a unique firm in Spain. We want this to be the same in the future. Lastly, we know it is challenging but, at the same time, we are sure that we will be able to achieve it.”