What is an Asesoría (consultancy or advisory)?
An Asesoria or consultancy is a fundamental resource for companies and freelancers in Spain.
Its importance lies in the support it provides in areas such as tax, labour, legal and energy.
Having advisory services allows businesses to maximise their efficiency and ensure compliance with regulations.
The evolution of the market requires greater professionalisation and adaptation to new business needs.
But what is an Asesoria ?
An Asesoria it is a group of people who are experts in some subject who advise you on something.
Or put another way, it is a group of professionals who give you quality advice.
There are many types of Counselling, the most common are tax and labour advice such as our Orihuela Costa Advisory.
But there are also energy advice, legal advice, image advice, in fact in recent times anyone who gives advice is considered an advisor (we call it Asesoria Orihuela Costa).
The advisor or manager does not take any responsibility, you have to be very clear, the customer will be responsible for any decision.
Logically you, as a client, can ask for explanations and / or report the manager to the advisor if you have done something else or outside the code of ethics.
That’s what civil liability insurance is for.
Difference between Counselling (Asesoria) and Management (Gestoria)
An advisor is a professional with a university degree or not who advises you (and makes some arrangements) and a manager is a professional who carries out a management.
There is a very fine line between Advisory and agency and they often give rise to confusion because clients do not know what a consultancy does and what an agency does but in the end a consultancy is an agency and an agency is a consultancy.
Depending on what they have specialised in, they can perform both functions, advise and manage.
What the Asesoria do?
Normally a consultancy is usually a tax, labour and accounting advice that advises you on tax, labour and accounting issues. It can be made up of graduates, university or not. And you are the one who has to decide if they are trustworthy and are experts in their field.
For example, in Asesoria Orihuela Costa we have an economist, a business graduate and a Social Graduate.
What the Gestoria do?
There is the figure of the administrative manager who is a professional with a degree and who provides labour advisory services, traffic and transport management tax, accounting, inheritances, processing of deeds, foreigners, nationalities, patent and trademark registration, mediation and protection and data law.
Keys to hiring a Business Consultancy in Spain
The key to hiring an Advisor depends on the size of the client.
If you have a company large enough to have an advisor on your payroll, you do not need to hire an advisor, but if you are self-employed or have a micro-enterprise, it will surely be more profitable for you to hire an advisor, pay a fixed fee per month and take advantage of their advice
With a diverse and constantly changing economic environment, having professional support becomes an overrising necessity.
Market developments and the need for counselling
The Spanish business market has undergone very important changes in recent times.
Globalisation, digitisation and new regulations are just some of the forces that have shaped this environment.
Companies have to face complex challenges, such as adapting to changing regulations or the proper management of resources.
- Increased competition in various sectors
- Need to adapt to emerging technologies
- Changes in tax and labour laws that require a professional approach
In this scenario, counselling becomes a strategic ally for any type of business.
Benefits of having professional counselling services
The use of advisory services offers multiple advantages for companies and freelancers who want to optimise their management. The benefits are diverse and affect different areas of the business.
- Expertise and Knowledge: The advisors bring a baggage of knowledge and experience that can be translated into effective solutions.
- Risk Reduction: By having professional support, the risks of regulatory non-compliance and operational errors are minimised.
- Efficiency in Management: A consultancy allows its clients to focus on what they are good at, subcontracting difficult tasks and putting them in the hands of professionals.
- Continuous Improvement: With the constant evaluation of indicators, companies can improve their internal processes and their competitiveness.
These benefits translate into a direct impact on the sustainability and long-term success of companies.
Therefore, it is clear that business advice is fundamental for the smooth running of the Spanish business fabric.
Tax advice: essential to fulfil your tax obligations
Tax and accounting obligations for companies and self-employed
Companies and freelancers in Spain must comply with various tax and accounting obligations that vary according to their type of activity, size and legal form. These obligations include:
- Submission of tax returns: Personal Income Tax, VAT, Corporate Tax.
- Informative declarations: such as model 347 (operations with third parties) and 390 (annual VAT summary).
- Accounting books: keep up to date the book of income, expenses and the register book of invoices issued and received.
- Withholdings and payments on account: correctly managing labour and professional withholdings.
Failure to comply with these obligations may result in financial sanctions and legal problems, which highlights the importance of having specialised advice.
Tax planning with good advice
Everyone wants to know what they are going to pay.
You don’t want surprises, that’s why an advisor who knows you well can give you strategies to pay the right amount.
Some of these strategies include:
- Tax deductions: identify and apply deductions allowed according to the activity.
- Tax planning: structure operations efficiently to take advantage of tax benefits.
- Investment in priority activities: access bonuses for investment in R&D or environmental activities.
Establishing a continuous relationship with a tax advisor allows you to anticipate regulatory changes and keep up to date with tax obligations.
Online tax counselling: Access and advantages
Online tax advice has gained relevance in recent years, offering multiple benefits. Some of the advantages of this model are:
- Accessibility: allows customers to access services from anywhere and at any time.
- Reduced costs: the elimination of fixed expenses in offices translates into more competitive rates
- Digital tools: use of software for accounting management and tax filing in a simple way.
This flexible and modern approach aligns with the demands of a changing market, facilitating the tax management of companies.
Labour Counselling is essential if you have workers
Through it, it seeks to guarantee compliance with current regulations and facilitate the effective administration of personnel.
- Hiring and firing employees, ensuring fair and documented processes.
- Calculation and payment of payrolls, ensuring that labour rights are respected.
- Social security contributions, essential to ensure the social protection of workers.
- Prevention of occupational risks, promoting a safe and healthy environment at work.
Having labour advice allows companies to keep up to date on legislative changes, avoiding sanctions and promoting a culture of regulatory compliance.
Labour advisory services for SMEs and large companies
Labour counselling is adapted to the specific needs of each company, regardless of its size.
SMEs and large companies in Pamplona can benefit from a wide variety of services, including:
- Preparation of personalised employment contracts.
- Consulting in collective and individual labour relations.
- Assistance in the management of labour disputes, mediation and arbitration.
- Training and qualification plans for employees, facilitating their professional development.
These services are essential to promote a positive work environment and maintain a good relationship between management and employees.
Recent changes in labour legislation
Labour legislation in Spain is constantly evolving, which implies that companies must be attentive to developments that may affect their operations. In recent years, significant changes have been implemented that impact:
- The rights of workers, guaranteeing fairer conditions.
- The contracting modalities, facilitating more flexible options.
- Specific measures related to work-life balance.
Labour advice becomes a strategic ally, providing guidance on how to implement these changes and adapt internal processes in each organisation.
Legal Advice: Legal Security for your Business
Legal advice offers a solid framework for companies to navigate the complex legal world, ensuring proper management of legal risks and responsibilities.
It provides the necessary support to safeguard commercial interests and comply with current regulations.
Legal Defence services
Legal Defence services are essential to protect companies from adverse situations.
This includes:
- Representation in judgements and arbitrations, ensuring that the client’s rights are effectively defended.
- Advice on contract negotiation, minimising risks and guaranteeing favourable conditions.
- Evaluation of legal situations that may present conflicts, providing strategies to resolve disputes before they escalate.
The collaboration with a specialised lawyer allows companies to anticipate legal problems and act quickly in their Defence.
International Legal Counselling: International Law Matters
In a globalised environment, international legal advice is crucial.
Businesses operating in multiple jurisdictions require specialised knowledge in:
- Rules and regulations from different countries that can affect their operations.
- International treaties and their impact on trade relations.
- Legal proceedings in international contexts, which may include from litigation to mediation.
Adequate advice in these areas ensures that companies can expand and operate with confidence abroad.
Tools to manage legal obligations
The use of advanced technologies facilitates the management of the legal obligations of companies.
The tools include:
- Regulatory compliance software that helps companies track and manage legal requirements.
- Electronic documentation systems to maintain clear and accessible records, which is essential in case of audits or litigation.
- Communication platforms that allow continuous and updated follow-up with legal advisors.
These tools not only optimise management, but also improve operational efficiency and reduce the possibility of legal errors.
Energy Counselling: Towards a Sustainable Future
Energy counseling is essential to promote business development that takes into account sustainability and efficiency in the use of resources. That is to say
Companies that implement appropriate strategies not only improve their competitiveness, but also contribute to the preservation of the environment.
Implementation of sustainable practises in companies
The implementation of sustainable practises in the energy field seeks to reduce the environmental impact of business activities.
Companies can adopt various strategies, such as:
- Use of renewable energies such as solar, wind or biomass.
- Reduction of energy consumption through audits and infrastructure improvements.
- Staff training on efficient and sustainable practises.
- Incorporation of energy management technologies to optimise the use of resources.
These practises not only contribute to a healthier environment, but also foster a positive corporate image towards customers and suppliers.
Environmental regulations: Compliance and benefits
It is crucial that companies comply with the environmental regulations established by the authorities.
These regulations include directives on emissions, waste management and resource consumption.
By complying with these regulations, companies not only avoid sanctions, but can also obtain benefits such as:
- Government subsidies and aid.
- Access to tax incentives for investment in clean technologies.
- Improvement in reputation and relationships with stakeholders.
Regulatory compliance becomes a key element to promote sustainable business development.
Improving energy efficiency and reducing costs
Optimising energy efficiency is a primary objective for any company looking to reduce its operating costs.
This can be achieved by:
- Implement energy management systems such as ISO 50001.
- Periodic evaluations of energy consumption to identify areas for improvement.
- Investments in efficient technology, such as LED lighting or efficient heating and cooling systems.
The improvement of energy efficiency has a direct impact on the reduction of expenses, allowing these resources to be reinvested in other aspects of the business.
Digital Transformation: Online Counselling
Digitisation has significantly impacted the way companies access professional services.
Online advice has become a vital resource that optimises management and allows greater flexibility in the relationship between advisors and clients.
Advantages of hiring an online counselling
Increasingly, companies are opting for online counselling due to the multiple advantages it offers.
Among them are:
- Cost savings: By eliminating expenses associated with physical spaces and optimising resources, online consultances usually offer more competitive rates.
- Convenience: Customers can access services from anywhere, facilitating time management and work obligations.
- Flexibility in schedules: The availability of online services allows customers to choose the time that suits them best to make inquiries.
Access to advanced technology: They use digital platforms that streamline processes and allow better information management.
Management platforms and digital services
The digital platforms used in online consulting are designed to maximise efficiency.
These tools allow document management, communication between advisor and client and task tracking.
Digital services offered include:
- Invoice management: Software that facilitates the control of invoicing and accounting in a simple and accessible way.
- Project monitoring: Tools to monitor the progress of tasks and ensure compliance with deadlines.
- Real-time communication: Chats and videoconferences to solve doubts instantly.
Personalisation and customer service in the digital field
A differentiating feature of online advice is its focus on the personalisation of the service.
Each client can have a personal manager who understands their specific needs.
This personalised attention translates into:
- Adapted advice: Strategies and solutions that respond to the particular circumstances of each business.
- Constant availability: Possibility of receiving attention at any time, which generates a closer and more effective relationship.
- Fluid interaction: Facilitates communication, eliminating physical barriers and enhancing a better flow of information.
In summary
I believe that everything is based on three key pillars.
Good counselling must have:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Communication
