Assessing Compliance Gaps Globally - Best Resources in the Industry

We use Steve Fackler at Gibson Dunn to assist us with an annual formal review of filing, tax and regulatory compliance in each of the countries we offer equity programs.  Quarterly we review the same intenally using information and publications we get via GEO, NASPP and other organizations.

A former colleague and friend of mine, Andrew Katsoudas (andrew.katsoudas@us.pwc.com) at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Chicago, assists companies with such matters.  PWC has a good international footprint which has helped some of my clients. Also NASPP, GEO, etc. for periodic updates.  Among law firms, my clients have used Baker & McKenzie and DLA Piper.

Hi Stephan - they're of course one of the big ones but at Avon we use Ernst & Young and an affiliated law firm for European issues- Holland Van Gijzen.

At Maxim Integrated Products, we used the services of Baker McKenzie and Rutlen Associates. I highly recommend them. Both firms assisted us with global taxation on restricted stock unit releases for international employees as well as assistance when we were getting ready to roll out our new ESPP program.

For something of your size and scale (35-50 countries), I suggest you contact Deloitte (Bill Cohen in London at 44 207 007 2952) or Baker & McKenzie (June Anne Burke at 212 626 4371).  Although many others (including myself) advise clients on compensation issues in various countries, I find it best to use a global accounting or law firm when dealing with tax and regulatory issues, especially in so many countries.

If they're not on your list, I'd suggest you add Independant Stock Plan Advisors to your list (specifically Jewon Wee and Karen Needham).  They are a smaller firm, but they are excellent.

Thank you all for your overwhelming response.  You've each provided us with a lot of choices to consider.  I have worked with several of the companies you've suggested in the past, but certainly see that there are many more players in this space to consider.  I will try to respond to each of you personally, but in the interest of time wanted to let you know I'm reading  your suggestions and appreciate your taking the time.

Regards,

Stephan

Hi Stephan,

Sun used Baker for regulatory compliance and Deloitte for tax advise for mobile employees. I would also suggest adding Jon Doyle of ilawpartners.com to your list of considerations.  I have found Jon to be really practical, balancing cost of compliance with actual risk exposure.  You will find that a regulatory advisor may not be the best candidate to be your tax advisor  as well.

Good luck.

Jean

In my prior company, we used PwC (Bill Dunn in Philadelphia), and they did a terrific job.

Warren

Hi Stephan,

I appreciate that you have enough resources to consider above, though I see that you have been referred to Bill Cohen in the UK for Deloitte.  Bill leads the UK Global Rewards practice that specializes in this area, though if you would prefer to reach out to someone in the US I lead our Northern Pacific practice, we also have East Coast practitioners that I could refer you to (assuming you are located in Florida).  My contact details are below.

Mark

Mark Miller
Senior Manager | Global Rewards
Deloitte Tax LLP
225 West Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
Tel/Direct: +1 408 704 4308 | Fax: +1 408 704 9005 | Mobile: +1 408 644 6811