Our Services

Audit services

We audit financial statements prepared in accordance with International Reporting Standards ("IFRS") based on International Financial Reporting Standards on Auditing ("ISA"). We make use of technology such as caseware and IDEA to ensure the process of information gathering and dissemination is as open and efficient as possible and to help drive audit efficiencies for your ultimate benefit.

We pride ourselves on our thorough and risk-based approach to audit. We ensure that our audit effort is focused on high risk or subjective accounting issues. This allows us to focus early on resolution of significant issues, resulting in less management distraction. We achieve this by starting planning procedures early and investing appropriate time and effort in understanding the client's business. We build this understanding, including transactions and practices that have a significant effect on a client's financial statements, through meetings with different levels of management. We start from meetings with the board of directors and senior management and work down and across the organization as necessary. Our purpose is to obtain as much comfort as possible from a client's internal control framework so that we are able to take the most efficient audit approach. However, we recognize that we may need to take a detailed substantive approach where we are unable to rely on internal controls, or if we decide that a substantive approach is equally effective and (or more) efficient.

Audit quality is at the core of everything we do at Philippou Auditors and we believe it is not just about reaching the right opinion, but how we get to that opinion. We have developed internal quality procedures that are applied to ensure audit engagements are performed at all times to the highest standards, without compromising quality.

In the age of discovery, trade ships sailed from the shores of Europe carrying goods to be bartered in the Far East and the New World. The merchants to whom the goods belonged found the voyages an exciting prospect, but were keen not to be cheated ... thus, our profession was born.

“Auditors” (from the Latin verb “audre”, to listen) spent their time aboard these ships, in the thick of each transaction, gaining a profound understanding of the trade. The merchants and their backers slept in peace, assured that they would receive an insightful, accurate and independent report from their auditors. By working with different traders they gained a unique insight into challenges that might lie ahead for their clients.

Nothing has changed. Our audit is still based today on a profound understanding of the business of our clients, their risks and their future outlook. We listen to our clients. Our aim is to understand how they want us to support them. Our ability to distil the essence of what they do brings rigour to our audit and a unique perspective. Simple really!

Tax services

Our tax offering includes:

Corporate income tax

  • Registering a company with the Cyprus Tax Authority ("CTA")
  • Preparing and submitting (following relevant approvals) with the CTA a company's Annual Tax Return (I.R. 4)
  • Handling on behalf of a company any issues raised by the CTA on the the company's I.R. 4
  • Handling on behalf of a company appeals against tax assessments issued by the CTA
  • Requesting on behalf of a company advance tax rulings from the CTA
  • Obtaining on behalf of a company a Cyprus Tax Certificate from the CTA
  • Reviewing a company’s tax position as at its financial year-end and providing advice about a company’s tax position and exposures as at that date
  • Advising those establishing a new company in Cyprus
  • Advising on group structures and / or group restructurings
  • Advising on transfer pricing issues
  • Performing a tax due diligence for a company

Value Added Tax (VAT)

  • Registering an entity with the Cyprus VAT Authority
  • Preparing a company’s quarterly VAT returns for submission to the Cyprus VAT Authority
  • Preparing a company's monthly VAT Information Exchange System ("VIES") forms for submission to the Cyprus VAT Authority
  • Requesting on behalf of an entity advance VAT rulings from the Cyprus VAT Authority
  • Assisting an entity during examinations performed by the Cyprus VAT Authority
  • Advising on VAT planning
  • Consulting on VAT matters

Personal income tax

  • Registering a person with the Cyprus Tax Authority ("CTA")
  • Preparing and submitting (following relevant approvals) a person's Annual Tax Return (I.R. 1)
  • Preparing and submitting (following relevant approvals) a person's Capital statement
  • Handling on behalf of a person any issues raised by the CTA on any submissions made
  • Handling on behalf of a person appeals against tax assessments issued by the CTA
  • Requesting on behalf of a person advance tax rulings from the CTA
  • Advising a person on his income taxes and capital gains tax, including long-term tax planning
  • Advising on the use of trusts
  • Advising on structuring wills
  • Advising on wealth transfers to the next generation
  • Advising on cash / asset extractions from family companies
  • Assisting in family business transitions

Accounting and bookkeeping

  • Preparing the accounting and bookkeeping of an entity using the computerised accounting software of E-Soft
  • Preparing financial statements of an entity in accordance with IFRS using the computerised software prepared by caseware

Payroll management

  • Preparing and submitting all company and employee tax forms and returns
  • Advising on employment law
  • Drafting contracts of employment
  • Dealing with the Inland Revenue and Department of Social Security