Account opening or onboarding
It is necessary to understand quickly whether the structure contains something that will trigger questions from a bank or PSP.
FORMATS · EXPRESS
Express Risk Review
Rapid diagnostics of an international structure: we identify which risk zones are already active in the model, and whether the matter should move to a full strategic audit.
Important: this is not a “guarantee of outcome” and not a substitute for a full audit. It is a fast way to understand where the risk is genuinely live — and which next step is defensible on the facts.
WHEN TO USE
When an express-check is the appropriate work format
Not every situation requires a full structural audit. Sometimes the first task is to understand quickly where there is an active risk, and where the question looks more serious than it actually is.
Change of tax residency or hiring in a new country
The model is changing — a first-pass analysis of the consequences is needed before the decision.
Investor / DD / M&A
It is necessary to understand which points will fall into the focus of due diligence before it begins.
There is a sense that “something is not right”
The structure works, but it is unclear exactly where the weak point is and whether it is systemic.
SCREENING
A quick test: does this match your situation?
If the answer to 2–3 questions is “yes”, the format is appropriate.
The banking / PSP is asking questionsAbout ownership, flows, source of funds,
agreements and “why it is structured this way”.
The team is in several countriesThere are employees/contractors/agents
who in practice perform key functions.
EU sales / warehouses / marketplacesOSS/IOSS, fulfilment, FBA,
fixed establishment or VAT obligations arising “suddenly”.
There is a HoldCo/OpCo/ServiceCoBut there is no certainty that company roles and
flows align with reality.
The context has changedFounder tax residency, hiring/relocation, a new
sales country or a new product.
You are preparing for an investor/DDYou want to see red flags and
risk questions in advance.
There are intragroup
flowsServices/fees/royalties/loans/dividends — and the question “how do we explain this”.
A regulated perimeter is possiblePayments/crypto/custody — a
sanity check on regulatory fit is required.
substance/governance is thinIt is not clear where decisions are made
or how this is documented.
A fast decision is needed on “whether to go deeper”Go / targeted fixes /
strategic audit.
WHAT TO PREPARE
What to prepare for an express assessment
Facts and a diagram are sufficient. Sensitive documents are requested only where necessary and after an NDA/engagement.
1) List of companies + roles (HoldCo/OpCo/ServiceCo, etc.)
2) Geography of key persons and the team (employee/contractor/EOR)
3) Sales markets and model (B2B/B2C/SaaS/marketplace/fintech)
4) Whether there are warehouses/fulfilment/marketplaces (VAT/OSS/IOSS)
5) Intragroup flows (if any): services/royalties/loans/dividends
6) Banking / PSP questions (if already received) — briefly, without attachments
SCOPE
What is reviewed in the express format
The focus is not a full architectural redesign, but the “visibility zones” where structural stress most often arises.
PE · PEOPLE
PE profile
Whether there are roles/authorities/functions that may create taxable presence.
TAX RESIDENCY
Management & control
Where decisions are actually made and whether this matches the stated corporate logic.
BANKING
banking readiness
Explainability of ownership/flows/source of funds/source of wealth narrative and obvious red flags.
VAT
VAT triggers
Warehouses, marketplaces, fulfilment, fixed establishment and their link with the sales model.
CFC · FOUNDER
Personal tax risk
Owner tax residency, CFC exposure, and conflict between ownership and management logic.
SUBSTANCE
substance reality check
Whether there is governance, a decision trail and economic reality to support the stated structure.
BOUNDARY
How an express-check differs from a strategic audit
An express-check shows where active risk is already visible now
A strategic audit is required when the question affects several
structural layers at once
An express-check helps make the decision: go / fix locally /
detailed review
If the model needs to be redesigned — this is already a strategic audit format
NOT A FIT
The format is not appropriate if a “guaranteed account/licence/tax outcome” is expected, or if the request is connected with sanctions/AML circumvention or evasion.
PROCESS
How the format works
The typical cycle is 48–72 hours from confirmation of the input facts.
01
Structured request
Jurisdictions, roles, team, flows and the context of the question. No “full DD package”.
Day 1
02
Clarification of facts
We briefly clarify 3–5 facts without which the risk cannot be interpreted correctly.
Day 1–2
03
Express analysis
We test the model through the 4–6 most relevant risk lenses (tax/VAT/PE/banking/substance).
Day 2–3
04
Short written summary
Conclusion: where the active risk is, how urgent it is and which next format will be defendable.
Day 3–4
OUTPUT
What you receive as output
The “package” is short but practical: it is designed to support action.
Risk Map (high-level)
Map of active risks: what constitutes a risk point and why.
Urgency assessment
What requires immediate steps, what can be addressed in phases and what is not critical.
Next step decision
Go / targeted fixes / strategic audit / support — with fact-based reasoning.
List of data/documents
What should be requested next (the minimum necessary). Sensitive files are requested after an NDA/engagement.
Related elements of the system
Where this leads next
An express-check is the entry point. The next layer of work is then selected by reference to the facts.
FAQ
Briefly, to the point
What is an express risk check?
It is a rapid diagnosis of an international structure: we identify which risk zones are already active in the model and whether the matter should move to a full strategic audit. The format answers the question “where is the issue already live”, without replacing a deep analysis, but giving a clear view of priorities and urgency within a short period.
When is an express-check the appropriate work format?
An express-check is appropriate when the state of the model must be understood quickly: before a transaction, growth, market entry or the first questions from a bank. It is useful where there is a sense that the structure is diverging from reality, but it is not yet clear how serious this is or where the review should start.
How does an express-check differ from a strategic audit?
An express-check is an Express Risk Review of active risk zones and a decision on whether a full review is required. A strategic audit is a comprehensive analysis of the entire model as a system within one perimeter. The express format answers “is there a problem and where”; the audit answers “how should the structure be reassembled so that it is coherent, supportable and review-ready and robust”.
What should be prepared and what will I receive?
For an express assessment, a general description of the model is sufficient: group structure, jurisdictions, ownership, key operations and current questions. The output is a map of active risk zones, a view of priorities and a clear recommendation — whether targeted fixes are sufficient or whether a full strategic audit of the model is required.
EXPRESS RISK CHECK
Need a rapid assessment of the situation?
Describe the structure, jurisdictions and context of the question. We will identify active risk zones and propose the next reasoned work format.
Request an Express Assessment