Why Quality Management?
Our quality management system helps us learn from mistakes. We can only achieve this by recognising potential for improvement at an early stage. As a first step, our Quality, Process and Risk Management team identifies issues as part of a structured process. These are handled by our colleagues and developed into new, innovative solutions. This builds a culture that recognises both mistakes and opportunities at an early stage, enabling us to deal with them constructively. This is how WTS evolves as a learning organisation. This has a positive effect on both the relationship with our clients and our employees.
Global quality management
At WTS we have a globally established quality management system and team. Each global network partner must meet the following minimum standards:
- No advisory services without a mandate - clearly defined services, remuneration and liability
- One face to the customer - clearly designated contact persons and central contacts
- (Initial) response within 24 hours
- Reliable deadline monitoring
- Uniform presentation/structuring of work results
- Dual control and clear signature regulation
- Clear rules for documenting and archiving files and handling original documents
- Sufficient employee training and development opportunities
- Uniform corporate identity
- Careful selection and monitoring of local network partners
Quality, Process and Risk Management in Germany
Just like all other members of the global WTS network, WTS Germany regularly undergoes a quality review. This is performed by the global Quality, Process and Risk Management team in accordance with pre-defined, strict criteria and structures. In doing so, any potential for improvement can be identified and, if necessary, a timeline can be created for dealing with any open issues or completing optimisation measures. Our local Quality, Process and Risk Management team also takes care of the implementation.
Professional standards set the framework for quality management
As a leading tax network we are subject to strict professional standards in Germany:
- The tax consultancy and law firms of the WTS Group are subject to the strict and comprehensive obligations of their respective professional laws (especially StBerG, DVStB, BOStB, StBVV, BRAO, BORA, RVG, WPO)
- Corresponding obligations, some of which are subject to a contractual penalty in case of violation (such as professional secrecy) also apply personally to all organs, employees and other assistants of the WTS professional associations
- Sometimes several professional legal regimes can apply in parallel, for example in cases of job sharing, tax/legal joint engagements or where a lawyer/auditor acts as managing director of a tax advisory company
- The key obligations that apply to all lawyers, tax advisers, auditors and professional associations include independence, responsibility, diligence and confidentiality
- There are also numerous other professional standards, which are implemented throughout WTS. These range from general diligence and training requirements to avoiding conflicts of interest.
- WTS professionals are organs of the (fiscal) administration of justice
