Malaysia Advisory - Southeast Asia

CLA Malaysia

CLA Malaysia provides a broad range of professional advisory services to businesses operating in, investing in or expanding through Malaysia.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, we support multinational groups, listed and privately held companies, owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals across different stages of their business development. Our work combines local knowledge with an international perspective, particularly where businesses face increasingly complex commercial, regulatory and cross-border considerations.

As part of the CLA Global network, CLA Malaysia is well positioned to support both inbound investment into Malaysia and Malaysian businesses expanding internationally. We work closely with clients on matters ranging from business establishment and corporate advisory to transactions, taxation, accounting, technology, governance and risk.

Our wider advisory capabilities include feasibility and business establishment services, outsourced accounting, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, IPO and capital markets advisory, technology advisory, corporate governance and risk management.

The office of CLA Malaysia, located in Kuala Lumpur, is one of the 5 flagship zones of Malaysia that provides a wide spectrum of advisory services ranging from feasibility studies, setting up of business, outsourced accounting, M&A due diligence, IPO advisory, technology advisory, tax structuring to corporate governance and risk management.

Accounting & Payroll Services

Accounting Services:

CLA Malaysia, part of the CLA Southeast Asia Group of Companies, is well-equipped to assist companies to provide a full range of accounting services to small and medium-sized businesses in Malaysia to comply with the required accounting and tax compliance.

Our team offers a cost-effective and complete range of services including:

Accounting advisory
Accounting administrative support
Compilation of financial reports
Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL)
Outsourced Accounting
Outsourced CFO
Survey reports for financial industry

Payroll Services:

With increasing complexity and competition in the business environment today, staying on top of your game requires dedicated focus and undivided attention on your core business. CLA Malaysia offers extensive experience in payroll processing functions to ensure that you fulfil regulatory requirements.

We provide specialist services in:
Jobs evaluation, salary and reward structure
Operating the payroll for employees
Preparing monthly and annual payroll-related forms
Specialist recruitment and selection support advice
Executive search recruitment

Business Setup Advisory

Setting up Businesses in Malaysia for Local and International Firms

To encourage foreign investors, the Malaysian Government has progressively put in place a number of incentives to maintain a competitive business environment for continued growth and investment. Supportive business policies in Malaysia include pro-business economic policies, attractive tax incentives, liberal investment policies and intellectual property protection, just to name a few.

Equipped with many years of industry experience, CLA Malaysia is well-positioned to assist entrepreneurs and business organisations alike to set up their business operations in the Malaysia region and beyond.

For more information on setting up businesses in the Malaysia Region, please contact the key directors in charge.

Tax Advisory

Tax considerations increasingly form part of wider commercial and strategic decisions. Changes in domestic tax legislation, greater regulatory scrutiny and the continuing development of international tax rules mean that businesses need to consider not only tax compliance, but also how taxation affects their structures, transactions and operations.

CLA Malaysia provides a comprehensive range of Malaysian and international tax services. We work with multinational groups, listed and privately held companies, owner-managed businesses and individuals, combining technical tax knowledge with a practical understanding of commercial considerations.

Our tax services cover the following areas:

Tax Compliance Services

We assist businesses in meeting their Malaysian tax compliance and reporting obligations, including corporate income tax computations and returns, tax estimates and instalments, withholding tax matters and other related tax filings.

Our approach extends beyond the preparation of returns. We work with clients to identify potential tax issues, manage compliance risks and address matters that may require attention before they develop into disputes or exposures.

Global Mobility Services

The movement of employees and executives across jurisdictions can give rise to complex personal and corporate tax considerations.

We advise employers and internationally mobile individuals on Malaysian individual taxation, expatriate tax compliance, tax residency, employment income, cross-border assignments, tax equalisation and related mobility matters. Where assignments involve multiple jurisdictions, we can work with CLA Global member firms to coordinate the relevant tax considerations.

Tax Advisory Services

We advise businesses on Malaysian tax issues arising from their operations, investments and commercial arrangements.

Our services include corporate tax advisory, tax incentives, business restructuring, capital allowances, real property gains tax, capital gains tax and other areas requiring interpretation and application of Malaysian tax legislation.

We seek to provide advice that is technically sound while remaining practical and relevant to the client’s commercial circumstances.

International Tax

Cross-border activities increasingly require businesses to consider the interaction between domestic tax legislation, tax treaties and evolving international tax principles.

We advise on international tax matters including cross-border transactions, tax treaty interpretation and application, permanent establishment issues, withholding taxes, foreign-sourced income, investment and holding structures and other international tax considerations.

Through CLA Global, we are also able to work with member firms in other jurisdictions where coordinated international tax advice is required.

Transaction Tax

Tax considerations can materially affect the structure, cost and outcome of a transaction.

We provide tax support for mergers, acquisitions, disposals, investments, reorganisations and other corporate transactions. Our services include tax due diligence, transaction structuring, review of potential tax exposures and advice on the Malaysian tax implications arising from proposed transactions.

Where appropriate, our work considers the interaction between income tax, capital gains tax, real property gains tax, stamp duty and other relevant taxes.

Transfer Pricing

Transfer pricing continues to be an important area of tax governance for businesses undertaking related-party transactions.

We assist clients with transfer pricing documentation, related-party transaction reviews, benchmarking and the application of the arm’s length principle. We also advise on transfer pricing issues involving intercompany services, financing arrangements and other cross-border and domestic related-party transactions.

Our services extend to supporting clients in managing transfer pricing queries, audits and disputes with the Malaysian tax authorities.

Tax Controversy

Tax disputes require careful consideration of both the technical position and the underlying facts.

We assist clients in managing tax audits, investigations, enquiries and disputes with the Malaysian Inland Revenue Board and other relevant authorities. Our work includes reviewing assessments and technical positions, preparing representations and supporting clients throughout the dispute resolution process.

Where matters involve complex interpretation, we focus on developing positions grounded in the legislation, relevant case law, administrative guidance and the particular facts of the case.

Indirect Tax

We advise businesses on Malaysian indirect taxes, including Sales and Service Tax (SST) and other indirect tax matters affecting business transactions and operations.

Our services include advisory and compliance support, transaction reviews, indirect tax health checks and assistance with audits and enquiries by the relevant authorities.

Tax Training

Tax rules continue to evolve, making regular technical development important for finance, tax and management teams.

CLA Malaysia provides customised tax training for businesses, professional teams and other organisations. Training programmes can be designed around specific industries, transactions or areas of concern and may cover Malaysian corporate taxation, international tax, transfer pricing, capital gains tax, indirect taxation and other current tax developments.

Our objective is not simply to explain the rules, but to help participants understand how those rules apply in practice.

A Malaysian Practice with an International Perspective

Businesses today rarely encounter tax issues in isolation. A transaction may involve corporate tax, capital gains tax, stamp duty and transfer pricing considerations, while an overseas expansion may simultaneously raise questions involving tax residency, withholding tax, permanent establishment and tax treaties.

CLA Malaysia brings these considerations together through an integrated approach.

Supported by the CLA Global network, we combine Malaysian tax knowledge with access to professionals across international markets, enabling us to support clients as their businesses grow, transact and expand across borders.

Corporate Governance, Risk Management and Internal Audit

Now more than ever, risk management has undoubtedly become critically important as businesses are challenged to remain competitive while grappling with uncertain operational and financial conditions. Managing growth expectations along with multi-faceted business risks and compliance requirements is a delicate balancing act. With a team of diverse and highly-qualified specialists, CLA Global TS Malaysia Governance, Risk Management and Internal Audit division delivers a robust and sustainable framework to suit your unique business needs.

We provide the following services:

Enterprise Risk Management

Enterprise risk management (ERM) includes the methods and processes used by organisations to manage risks and seize opportunities related to the achievement of their objectives. We are able to assist management to table a framework for risk management, which typically involves identifying particular events or circumstances relevant to the organisation’s objectives (risks and opportunities), assessing them in terms of likelihood and magnitude of impact, determining a response strategy, and monitoring progress. By identifying and addressing the identified risks and opportunities, your organisation is able to protect and create value for your stakeholders, including owners, employees, customers, regulators, and society overall.

Control Self Assessment

Control Self Assessment (CSA) is a method used to allow staff and business units in the organisation (that is, those directly involved in business units, functions or processes) to participate in assessing the organisation’s risk management and control processes.

We will facilitate CSA programs for gathering relevant information about risks and controls; for focusing audit work on high risk, unusual areas; and to forge greater collaboration with operating managers and work teams. Managers can utilise CSA programs to clarify business objectives and to identify and deal with the risks in achieving those objectives.

Internal Audit Co-sourcing

The traditional internal audit approach is very much compliance-based and often resulted in limited scope being covered and/or failure to address key risks. Our risk-based integrated approach helps to define key risks (“those that really matters”) from the start, protect important business functions/drivers and ultimately achieve organisational objectives. By flagging out all significant risks early and addressing them in a timely manner, we help our clients achieve their business objectives.

We could work independently (outsourcing) or in concert with your existing internal audit department (co-sourcing) to supplement your organisation’s requirements.

A primary value of internal audit is to help identify innovative ideas and recommend the best practices to give businesses the competitive edge while at the same time continue to meet both the traditional and evolving expectations of the audit committee.

Pre-Listing Internal Control Reviews

Often, private companies seeking to list on the stock exchange would be required to demonstrate that there is a robust system of internal controls in the daily business operations. These include internal controls to address operational, financial and compliance risks. Being a frequent partner of listing projects, we have an experienced team who understand the stringent requirements to carry out such reviews.

Software Licensing Compliance Reviews

Software License Compliance Reviews are increasing in frequency within these few years. Recommendations for improvement are needed to fulfil the demand to protect intellectual property rights to establishing or actively enhancing software license compliance programs. At CLA Global TS Malaysia, our team of experts assist our clients in analysis and identifying potential gaps in licensing compliance to reduce impact on their operations.

Feasibility Studies for Investment Projects

The Advisory and Transaction Services practice at CLA Malaysia offers practical financial and advisory solutions keenly-attuned to your business considerations and objectives.

We are primarily concerned with the business strategy, structure, management and operations of an organisation and assist by identifying options with recommendations, providing additional resources and/or implementing solutions.

We provide the following services:

Strategic Business Planning
Market Research and Study
Financial Due Diligence

Cybersecurity & Technology Advisory Services

In particular, consequential losses such as reputational damage and complex legal implications may be more severe than the incident itself.

It is a well-known fact that cybercrime and IP infringement cost more than direct financial losses. Drawing from a deep well of experience, our Cybersecurity and Technology Advisory team offers solutions that delivers the difference. The expert assistance in the detection, management and recovery from cybercrime and IP infringement boost your organisation with stronger IT capabilities and optimisation of technology ROI.

Our Services:

Personal Data Protection Compliance

CLA Malaysia possesses the necessary expertise to help you understand the overall impact of Personal Data Protection legislations to your organisation. More importantly, to assist your organisation in operationalising personal data protection practices to ensure efficient performance and effective compliance.

Software Asset Management

We help our clients to develop and implement software asset management processes and controls to achieve recordable licensing compliance and avoid the risks of unintentional non-compliance of software licensing terms and conditions. Our proprietary IT asset management tool – CLA Southeast Asia Scan, enables you to take inventory of your computers’ usage, network devices, hardware and software installation and licenses. Within minutes, you can monitor the hardware and software installed on all of your computer assets and manage its authorised usage.

Licensing & Royalty Compliance

We assist IP owners to detect revenue leakage resulted from non-compliance with the provisions of licensing, franchising or vendor agreements.

Our services include:

Conduct on-site audits or reviews of your partner/client on licensing/royalty/vendor agreement compliance; Design and implement software licence compliance programs which include identifying software license infringement incidents; conducting forensic software usage review; executing enforcement actions; negotiating for settlement to close compliance gap.

Forensic and Litigation Support

Feasibility Studies for Investment Projects

The intense competition in the business world, incessant pressure to deliver better financial results, individual greed and the pursuit after exorbitant lifestyles, have all contributed to increased fraud, in terms of scale and occurrence, threatening the stability and sustainability of any business

Steered by experienced hands, CLA Malaysia Forensic and Litigation Support Services practice is well-positioned to provide the most cost-effective forensic services, including the preservation and collection of information from multi-dimensional sources and related investigation and dispute resolution services to serve your investigation, arbitration and litigation needs.

Forensic Technology

Our team of technical experts and experienced forensic investigators provides technically-focused and cost effective solutions to identify and preserve data for forensic investigations and litigation with the following services:

Computer forensics services
Cyber fraud and hacking investigations
e-Discovery and e-Disclosures
Forensic data analytics
Forensic technology products sales and support

Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation

With years of investigation experience, our team is able to help you formulate the most cost-effective investigation strategy and approach; preserving and collecting documentary, electronic and verbal records and information from multi-dimensional sources in the following types of engagements:

Fraud and financial investigations
Special audit and special committee investigations or reviews
Anti-corruption and FCPA/U.K. Bribery Act compliance and investigations
Insurance claim verifications and analysis
Asset tracing and recovery
Investigative due diligence

Litigation Support

With in-house experts who have testified in judiciary Courts in this region, we:

Provide litigation support services such as providing expert report /testimony in relation to forensic accounting, forensic technology, and damage/loss assessment and quantification
Provide professional advice in relation to discovery assistance, claims analysis, adjustments, preparation and rebuttal.