ECOVIS CEE Meeting in Budapest
ECOVIS CEE Meeting in Budapest: Regional Cooperation and Priorities for the Coming Year
From 12 to 14 October, ECOVIS representatives from Central and Eastern European countries gathered in Budapest to discuss the region’s current economic situation, review past activities, and establish joint development strategies for the upcoming year. Hosted by the ECOVIS Zalavári Legal Hungary team, the event featured local business insights and an overview of the situation in individual CEE countries. Topics on the agenda included the political and economic conditions in the region, M&A transaction activity, the AML Summaries project and the role of marketing in strengthening ECOVIS CEE’s position. The meeting confirmed the importance of direct contact and regular information exchange in building a cohesive advisory offering.
Our Services – Practical Support for Business in the CEE Region
The “Working together in the CEE group” block focused on how individual ECOVIS offices can respond even more effectively to the needs of entrepreneurs operating in several jurisdictions simultaneously. The key service lines that were discussed were:
- Tax and Accounting Advisory
The presentation by Ecovis Tax & Accounting Hungary emphasised the importance of combining local regulatory knowledge with a regional perspective on tax authority practices. Similar challenges across Central and Eastern Europe were highlighted, alongside differences in the pace and manner of implementing changes.
– AML Support (AML Summaries Project) – The project led by ECOVIS Ježek aims to create a comprehensive knowledge base on AML regulations in CEE countries. The collected data is intended to serve both internal teams and clients, facilitating the comparison of requirements, risk assessment, and planning of activities in multiple countries.
– M&A Transaction Advisory
During the discussion on M&A activity in the region, participants exchanged experiences from recent and ongoing projects. Special attention was paid to the following points:
- Cross-border transactions involving regional and international investors.
- We are pleased to inform you that we are currently seeking to recruit for projects in regulated sectors.
- It is imperative to emphasise the significance of taxation, compliance, and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures during the structuring and closing phases of transactions.
-Marketing and Communication in CEE :A dedicated panel discussion was held to address the crucial topic of effective marketing and communication strategies within the context of CEE. The discussion focused on the consistent presentation of ECOVIS CEE’s competencies in external communications. The role of a joint website, expert publications, and social media presence was discussed as tools to help clients reach the right advisors in each country.
All of the areas under discussion had one thing in common: a focus on solutions that genuinely support business development in the region, rather than merely adhering to formal regulatory compliance.
Common Goals – ECOVIS CEE Priorities for the Coming Year
The final segment of the meeting focused on establishing the primary priorities for the forthcoming year. Participants concentrated on two key areas of cooperation:
1. Strengthening cooperation in M&A projects is of the utmost importance.
In the area of mergers and acquisitions, the priority was identified as even greater integration of teams from different CEE countries. In practice, this means:
- It is recommended that advisors from multiple jurisdictions be involved at an earlier stage of the investment planning process.
- The methodical exchange of information regarding planned transactions, sectors with increased activity, and potential investors,
- The development of common cooperation standards is essential for ensuring a consistent and integrated service package for clients, regardless of the number of countries involved in a project. These standards should encompass due diligence, valuation and transaction structuring, ensuring a seamless and cohesive approach.
2. There is ongoing dialogue within the CEE Group.
The second pillar of agreed actions is to maintain regular dialogue between ECOVIS offices in the region. The participants emphasised the following points:
- We will continue to hold regular in-person and online meetings.
- We are open to exploring new topics, including ESG, labour law, e-compliance and tax changes.
- Promoting the exchange of best practices and coordinated response to significant regulatory changes affecting clients’ operations.
The meeting in Budapest demonstrated that ECOVIS’s key strengths in the CEE region are its local specialisation and its daily cross-border cooperation. The development of M&A projects and the strengthening of internal group communication are expected to further consolidate ECOVIS’s position in the coming year as the partner of choice for companies operating in multiple Central and Eastern European countries..
