Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) Tax Working Group Annual Conference in Germany. The GAA Tax Working Group brings together the Tax Leaders in each of the member organisations comprising the leading accountancy bodies in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, South Africa and the US. As part of the trip, the group visited the Federal Fiscal Court in Munich and the German Parliament in Berlin. These visits provided valuable insights into the German legal and political systems.
Throughout the week, the group convened daily meetings to discuss the economic and fiscal landscape in each of our countries. We were provided with particularly valuable insights from our North American colleagues on what is happening on the ground with the governments in Canada and the US. These are obviously key markets and trade partners for the Irish economy. It seems positive action is being taken in Canada by the new leader, Mark Carney. However, the recent government shutdown in the US is likely to lead to further disruption in the US and indeed across the world.
The group meets virtually on five other occasions throughout the year to share knowledge and insights. However, the value of the in-person sessions cannot be overstated. We are lucky to be part of this group and to be able to share knowledge with our professional accountancy colleagues across the world.
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