Excellence in Professional Services
The Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (Deloitte) network is one of the most extensive and prestigious professional services firms in the world.
Today considered as one of the big four international accountancy companies, the organization was founded by William Welch Deloitte, who strived to bring change to the accounting industry across the globe. Beginning as a small, humble firm in London, Deloitte has evolved to be a thriving industry titan, comprising more than 415,0000 hard-working employees.
Being a part of this reputable group means that the team at Deloitte Costa Rica understand its clients’ business problems from all possible perspectives, which allows the company to always be one step ahead, presenting a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. Indeed, across each project, Deloitte Costa Rica’s people develop practical solutions that add value to each business, all with the aim of being the model of excellence in professional services. The company diligently provides legal advice to both national and international entities through audit, human, capital,
strategy, finance, tax, risk, legal and technology services across Central America and the Dominican Republic.
Deloitte Costa Rica’s expertise spans a vast range of industries, including but not limited to consumption, energy and resources, financial services, government and public services, life sciences and healthcare, technology, media, and telecommunications.
We speak to Alejandra Arguedas Ortega, Tax and Legal Advisor at Deloitte Costa Rica, about the diversity of the company’s services and its priorities as the country’s top professional services firm.
Image credits: Mr. Lars Gruber, Architekturfotografie
How does Deloitte Costa Rica contribute to the group’s global success?
Alejandra Arguedas Ortega, Tax and Legal Advisor (AAO): Deloitte Costa Rica plays a critical role in Deloitte’s global success through excellence in our services, innovation, talent development, social responsibility, and regional and global integration. These contributions ensure models of quality and professionalism that allow us to continue to be the leading professional services firm.
Could you tell us the story of Deloitte Costa Rica? What were the founding principles of the division?
AAO: Deloitte Costa Rica has been a fundamental entity in the business modeling of the
country since its founding in 1964 by Eladio Villalta and Fernando Herrero. The partnership with Deloitte Haskins & Sells was solidified in 1973, and by 1990, Deloitte Costa Rica became part of the global Deloitte network. In 2007, Alan Saborío took over as Managing Partner of Deloitte Costa Rica and established a shared services center in the country to manage the offices in Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua. By 2020, the firm changed leadership with the arrival of Carla Coghi, who took over as Managing Partner. Coghi was the first woman to be appointed as CEO in Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. What sets Deloitte Costa Rica apart from the competition?
AAO: Deloitte Costa Rica
differentiates itself from the competition in key aspects that reinforce our leadership. We have a wide range of services that we implement under a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach that reinforces our capacity for regional collaboration.
We have specialists in different service lines, generating connectivity that allows us to combine knowledge and skills to offer a broader and deeper perspective, in addition to sharing best practices and offering more comprehensive and personalized solutions that adapt to the local needs of our clients.
We are a firm focused on maintaining the highest standards of quality and professionalism in all our services. One of our daily goals is to stay ahead of the curve
in adopting and implementing emerging technologies and solutions to optimize processes and accelerate digital transformation for our clients. Deloitte Costa Rica has committed to continuously improve on new tools and services according to the clients’ expectations and requirements.
Please could you give an overview of your main products, services, locations, and client base?
AAO: Deloitte Costa Rica has a broad portfolio of professional services on a wide range of areas to assist clients throughout the different stages. We offer audit services for both public and private companies, whilst tax advisory and compliance services, including transfer pricing, accounting, treasury, and global mobility, is another core business line. Legal services including corporate and secretarial services, labor and employment
law, mergers and acquisitions, are also part of our storefront. Our focus also extends to technology and transformationrelated services, as well as strategy, risk, and transactions. This diversity of services, applicable to both public and private clients from various industries, is supported by more than 10,000 highly qualified and multidisciplinary professionals in the region.
What specific services do you offer to companies that want to invest in Costa Rica?
AAO: At Deloitte Costa Rica, we have various services designed to accompany our clients in the different stages of their development. Precisely, one of these services is strategic planning and transactions. We can assist companies that want to invest in the region from the planning and ramp-up stage, the start of the operation, and the after care. In this service,
Every year, Deloitte conducts an annual report, known this year as ‘Women @ Work 2024: A Global Outlook’, which is a culmination of survey responses completed by 5,000 women in different divisions across 10 countries.
The report explores the most important work and social factors that impact womens’ professional development, which subsequently help guide the organization in its next steps to supporting its women workforce.
we accompany businesses in the preparation and evaluation of investment projects, carry out feasibility studies, financial modeling, legal and tax advice, and strategic planning. Our tax and legal team offer a full set-up service, which starts on the definition of the business structure, vehicle incorporation,
DELOITTE WOMEN AT WORK 2024
registrations, permits, accounting setting, payroll implementation, and tax compliance, altogether with incentives advisory services. As for the technology and transformation area, we accompany our project managers and provide support in the definition of investment sites, negotiating with investors, clients, and stakeholders. Core operations, including facilities set-up, recruiting, and business model definition are other key services.
How can Deloitte Costa Rica help companies identify investment opportunities in the country?
AAO: Deloitte Costa Rica can help through several specialized services and well-defined strategies. Our market analysis and feasibility studies allow us to identify sectors with high growth potential and investment opportunities. In addition, we provide advice on mergers and acquisitions, helping companies to identify, evaluate, and execute opportunities.
We also develop effective strategies so that our clients can enter and expand in the various markets of Central America and the Caribbean. It should be noted
that we always ensure our clients have robust financial advice to optimize investments and comply with local regulations.
What recent Deloitte Costa Rica projects are worth highlighting?
AAO: Although we have assisted many clients throughout their establishment in the country, we have several recent projects to highlight. For example, there is a project with the medical manufacturing industry that is going to be installed in a free zone and that has an estimated investment between $50 and $70 million. This project will generate local employment as it is estimated that approximately 300 people will be hired at the beginning of the operation. Furthermore, it is regarded as highly innovative in the field of advanced medical industries, a sector in which we have been working intensively. Another project we have participated in is an excellence service center, which was developed through articulated work and involved the defining of the business model with two main lines (taxes and consulting) to determine the best investment option. This was a cross-cutting
DELOITTE’S WORK CULTURE VALUES:
Integrity – Applying high standards of conduct in all its activities, reinforcing the company’s credibility and reputation.
Cultural diversity –Understanding and respecting different points of view and finding the best solutions to problems.
Mutual commitment –Collaborating and working as a team responsibly and building trust.
Added value – Helping clients operate more effectively through vigilance, consistency, and relentless commitment.
and multidisciplinary effort that allowed us to identify the right opportunity and strategy for a project that aims to support operations in the US. The project will also support a significant number of professional areas such as financing, accounting, marketing, and engineering.
Looking ahead, what are Deloitte Costa Rica’s key priorities?
AAO: The priority for Deloitte Costa Rica is to continue consolidating itself as the number one professional services firm in Costa Rica. We want the company to be recognized not only as a consulting firm, but a comprehensive business advisor. We aspire to be the trusted partner for companies looking to invest in Costa Rica, providing support at all stages of the project from conception to completion. This includes activities such as strategic planning, market analysis, implementation, and monitoring of initiatives.
