The way we produce and consume energy is changing, which is presenting opportunities and new ways of thinking for our clients. As an established advisor within the cleantech sector, we assist our clients in taking advantage of these commercial opportunities by giving straightforward, practical and pragmatic advice. We have a specialist renewable energy practice, which is made up of experts in corporate finance, accounting and reporting, and taxation, who have extensive knowledge and experience within the cleantech sector.
As a commitment towards clean technology and sustainability, the UK became the first major economy in the world to pass laws to end its contribution to global emissions by 2050: a ‘net zero’ position. To meet these targets, the landscape for business and investors in the cleantech sector is changing, with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) becoming increasingly important across all sectors of commerce and industry.
Our team combines the established skills of our firm with the experience and expertise of our industry specialists in order to offer a value for money service to all our clients throughout the lifecycle of a renewables project or business. We believe in continuous investment and an ongoing partnership with our clients in order to establish ourselves as the trusted business adviser so that we can add value at every stage of the project lifecycle. Whatever your focus in the cleantech sector, we believe we have the right knowledge and experience to assist you in creating value and achieving your objectives.
Tax advisory and structuring advice
Tax risk and reputation is now squarely on the boardroom agenda and is the subject of increasing public scrutiny. RSM is a trusted tax advisor at the forefront of best practice. Our tax team is committed to assisting our clients in managing their business tax risk and protecting their public reputation.
We are able to benchmark your tax profile against others in the industry. This gives you comfort that your tax position is defensible and that the group is paying tax in the right place, at the right time. It is from that robust base and our understanding of the group’s tax position that allows us to assist your business in optimising its tax attributes and opportunities, whilst meeting its filing requirements and managing its tax risks.
We can add value to your business by advising on areas such as international tax structuring, corporate structuring vehicles, Enterprise Investment Schemes and Venture Capital Trust eligibility, research and development optimisation and maximising capital allowances.
Our specialist team works with a range of businesses in the UK and internationally, providing advice and services to the cleantech sector and we will work closely with you to maximise opportunities and achieve your strategic goals.
Developing and reviewing complex financial models
Financial models are an essential decision-making tool when assessing the future performance and returns of capital-intensive projects, which underpins the investment and debt funding processes. Project stakeholders place reliance on a model’s accuracy and integrity, so it is crucial that they are built upon robust assumptions, conform to commonly understood best practice principles and achieve the objectives they were designed to meet.
Our financial modelling team provides model assurance and development services to a range of clients, including experience of building and reviewing project finance models used in a variety of renewable energy projects involving lenders, investors and developers.
We take an active interest in understanding your project which enables us to develop or review financial models to add value to the process through our sector insights and project specific approach.
Accessing capital markets
Our capital markets team can guide you through every step of the flotation process. This applies whether you decide to float on the Official List (either Standard or Premium), AIM or ISDX.
Our services include:
- acting as reporting accountants, including reporting on historical financial information, due diligence, working capital reviews and review of financial systems and controls;
- providing advice on preparing for flotation, including financial structuring, taxation (both national and international), financial projections, financial control systems and accounting policies;
- consulting on share option schemes and/or other director and employer benefit advice; and
- on-going audit and taxation advice.
Carbon accounting and reporting
Our specialist environment team has over ten years’ experience working with clients to carry out carbon accounting, carbon audits and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. The nature of our work has changed over the years and has included:
- carbon audits to ensure clients have processes in place to comply with the Climate Change Act;
- carbon accounting under the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) and the EU Emissions Trading System (EUETS), including producing and reviewing CRC reports and evidence packs;
- sustainability reports including greenhouse gas reporting;
- energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) assessments; and
- reporting under the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting regulations for large companies.
Contacting us
Sheena McGuinness heads our cleantech practice, having worked in the sector for many years with experience including her role as Head of Tax at Shell Renewables. Sheena has advised on numerous transactions which includes the BP and Lightsource transaction, as well as the tax structuring, refinancing and due diligence within the fund and private sector. In addition to this Sheena has also been an advisor on various flotations, including the UK’s first listed energy efficiency fund.
Contact Sheena McGuinness to find out how our range of services can assist your business.
