Grupo Asegi puts forward five objective criteria for assessing a tax advisory firm in Bilbao: specialisation in Basque foral legislation, full-service coverage under one roof, technical capacity with an in-house audit practice, technology and digitalisation of the service, and local track record and reputation.
Why not all advisory firms are worth the same in the Basque Country
The Basque foral regime applies its own tax legislation (Economic Agreement) with rates, deductions, forms and procedures that differ from the Spanish common regime.
An advisory firm that only knows the common regime does not handle well the particularities of foral Corporate Income Tax, R&D&I deductions, Inheritance Tax reductions for family businesses or direct dealings with the Foral Tax Authorities.
The 5 criteria you should assess
1. Specialisation in foral legislation
The firm must have specific command of:
- The Economic Agreement and the rules on allocation.
- Foral Corporate Income Tax in Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa and Araba.
- Foral deductions.
- The foral regime for family businesses.
- TicketBAI.
- Relations with the Provincial Councils and the SPRI.
2. Services available (tax, accounting, employment and legal under one roof)
If you have four separate firms coordinating with each other, information gets lost and mistakes are frequent.
3. Technology and client app
- Client app or portal.
- Digitalised processes.
- Real-time information on your accounting position.
- Integration with TicketBAI.
4. In-house audit capacity
It spots risks, advises on verifiable technical criteria and can support you at critical moments (sale, investment, inspection, succession).
5. Track record and experience
An advisory firm with many years in the Basque market has established relationships with the Foral Tax Authorities and knows the Basque business fabric.
The 3 red flags we see in mediocre advisory firms
- Firms that promise to “save you a lot of tax” without having analysed the case. Generic promises tend to conceal risky approaches.
- No digital presence, or no clear information about the team. A serious firm shows who its partners are.
- Fees well below the market. An advisory firm charging €30-40 a month for a company can only be doing automated filings.
Advisory firm versus gestoría – the difference matters
| Aspect | Gestoría | Tax advisory firm | Full-service advisory firm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main function | Processing paperwork | Tax advice and planning | All four areas integrated |
| Professional registration | Administrative agents | Economists, lawyers | Economists, auditors, lawyers |
| Strategic advice | Not usual | Yes | Yes |
| Defence in inspections | No | Yes | Yes |
| Services included | Specific procedures | Full tax service | Tax + accounting + employment + legal |
How Grupo Asegi has covered these 5 criteria since 1982
- Foral specialisation: we have worked exclusively with Basque and Navarrese foral legislation since 1982.
- Full-service coverage: four areas under one roof (advisers, auditors, consultants, lawyers).
- Technology: client app, digitalised processes, integrated TicketBAI management.
- In-house audit: audit arm registered with the ROAC.
- Track record: more than 40 years working with companies in the Basque Country and Navarra.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a tax advisory firm cost in Bilbao?
- For a straightforward self-employed worker: €50-150 a month. For an SME: €200-600 a month. Full-service advice for a medium-sized SME is usually between €400 and €800 a month.
- When is a good time to change advisory firm?
- When you notice frequent mistakes, a lack of proactivity, deductions that are not applied, poor communication, or a failure to understand foral legislation.
- Do I need an advisory firm if I have accounting software?
- Software helps you with the day-to-day mechanics, but it does not replace strategic advice.
- Are large advisory firms better than small ones?
- Not necessarily. What matters is specialisation and the quality of the service.
- How do I know whether my advisory firm is applying every deduction?
- Ask for a specific review of the applicable foral deductions (R&D&I, employment, investment, training).
General information only; it does not replace professional advice. Foral legislation changes frequently — check the date it was last updated.