HOW TO CHOOSE A TRUSTED LAWYER OR ACCOUNTANT ABROAD

A practical guide for international businesses and investors

Expanding into a new country is an exciting milestone for any business. Whether opening a subsidiary, investing in real estate, acquiring a company or hiring employees abroad, international growth brings opportunity.

It also brings risk.

One of the most critical (and often underestimated) decisions in this process is the selection of legal and financial advisors in the target jurisdiction.

Choosing the wrong lawyer or accountant abroad can result in delays, regulatory exposure, financial losses and long-term operational complications.

So how should businesses approach this decision?

The hidden risks of choosing the wrong advisor abroad

In domestic matters, companies often rely on trusted long-term advisors. International expansion removes that familiarity.

When entering a foreign market, businesses face:

• unfamiliar legal systems

• different tax frameworks

• complex regulatory environments

• varying professional standards

• language and cultural differences

Without proper guidance, these factors can quickly compound.

The consequences of inadequate advice may include:

• incorrect corporate structuring

• tax inefficiencies

• non-compliance penalties

• unenforceable contracts

• employment disputes

International errors are rarely easy to correct.

Why online searches are not enough

In today’s digital environment, the first reflex is often to search online.

However, search engine visibility does not equal professional excellence.

Websites and rankings may reflect marketing investment rather than depth of expertise or international experience.

Cross-border matters require more than local knowledge, they demand professionals who understand:

• international transactions

• multi-jurisdictional coordination

• regulatory interaction across borders

• tax implications beyond one country

This level of understanding cannot always be assessed through a website alone.

The importance of peer recognition

One of the strongest indicators of reliability is peer recognition.

Professionals recognised by other lawyers and accountants for their competence and integrity provide a higher level of assurance.

Peer-based networks introduce an additional layer of quality control:

• vetted membership

• professional endorsement

• shared standards

• ongoing collaboration

This reduces the uncertainty often associated with choosing advisors abroad.

Why legal and accounting coordination is essential

International projects rarely involve a single discipline.

Legal structuring affects taxation.
Tax planning impacts legal compliance.
Employment law interacts with social contributions.
Corporate governance intersects with financial reporting.

Selecting separate advisors without coordination can create fragmentation.

Businesses increasingly require advisors capable of operating within a coordinated international framework.

The value of an international professional network

A structured international network provides several advantages:

• Direct access to trusted local professionals

• Pre-established collaboration between jurisdictions

• Consistent quality standards

• Faster communication and decision-making

• Reduced risk of conflicting advice

Rather than assembling advisors individually in each country, companies benefit from an integrated approach.

A structured international approach

The International Group of Accountants and Lawyers (IGAL) was created to address precisely these challenges.

By connecting carefully selected lawyers and accountants across jurisdictions, IGAL offers businesses:

• Trusted local expertise

• Cross-border coordination

• Peer-recognised professionals

• A long-term international perspective

This model provides reassurance in environments where regulatory complexity continues to increase.

Practical Steps When Selecting an Advisor Abroad

Before engaging a lawyer or accountant internationally, businesses should consider:

1. What is their experience with cross-border matters?

2. Are they connected to a recognised international network?

3. How do they coordinate with advisors in other jurisdictions?

4. Do they understand both legal and tax implications?

5. Can they demonstrate peer recognition or professional standing?

These questions significantly reduce risk exposure

 

International expansion requires ambition, preparation and trusted professional support.

Choosing a lawyer or accountant abroad should never be a decision based solely on visibility or convenience.

It should be based on:

• expertise

• peer recognition

• coordination

• and international credibility

Structured international networks play a crucial role in providing that assurance.

In a global business environment where complexity is increasing, trust and coordination are no longer optional —> they are strategic necessities.