Clear Answers to Complex Questions: LeitnerLeitner – The Business Partner of the Future

LeitnerLeitner Group stands out for its interdisciplinary approach and proactive solution to business challenges. Through a combination of local expertise and global standards, the company provides comprehensive support to clients in tax, legal and financial advisory. The focus on ESG standards, digitization and AI technologies allows them to redefine business processes and improve efficiency. Their commitment to employee development and personalized trainings contributes to the creation of a top team emphasized in a joint interview for BIZLife, Jelena Knežević, Partner & Managing Director, Ivana Pavković, HR& Payroll Director, Tanja Đurić, Audit & Accounting Director and Tijana Đugumović Stojkić, Tax Director.

1. How would you briefly describe your company’s mission and values? What sets you apart from other companies in your industry?

Jelena Knežević, LeitnerLeitner (Stefan Jovanović)

Jelena Knežević: Quality, continuous risk assessment, and a proactive approach. Proper risk analysis and defining responses to existing or anticipated risks are essential for every company’s successful operation. At LeitnerLeitner Group, we believe that the key to success lies in interdisciplinarity and the ability to see the whole picture of a company’s operations, because only with a comprehensive and dynamic approach can we propose the most optimal solutions for all types of risks our clients face.

Today, there is a trend in optimization within global companies by grouping sectors vertically by function. However, this often results in a narrow perspective, viewing business from only one angle. This is precisely where consultants play a vital role, as they have a broader view and can detect weaknesses in business models, as well as opportunities for improvement and optimization. As a group covering all aspects of tax, legal, and financial support, we are able to proactively identify existing or potential risks for our clients and propose the best solutions, along with full support for timely implementation.

2. Your slogan “Complex questions. Clear answers.” sounds very practical. Can you give us an example of how you helped a client solve a complicated business challenge?

Jelena Knežević: Our slogan reflects the belief that meaningful partnership is the best foundation for addressing any question. Thanks to our local expertise, we have a deep understanding of market dynamics, business culture nuances, and regulatory frameworks. This allows us to tailor our services to the specific needs of our clients in Serbia and successfully manage all unique challenges. Additionally, the presence of our group in Serbia and the wider region enables the development of a strong network of local contacts, including clients, partners, and stakeholders.

This also provides access to a broader resource, including talent, expertise, and technical infra[1]structure. In this way, we can deliver high-quality services and provide concrete answers to com[1]plex questions. The best example of our effective approach to solving complex business challenges is: a single point of contact – a personal advisor who consults with top experts in their specific fields to find the best possible solution for our clients; and a “one-stop shop” – we give each client special attention, providing complete business consulting services, from starting and developing a business in Serbia, to tax and financial advisory, accounting, financial reporting, payroll, HR services, auditing, and related services.

3. You emphasize an interdisciplinary approach. What does that look like in practice, and why is it crucial for successful business?

Jelena Knežević: Being part of an international corporation, along with the high standards we adhere to in terms of service quality and approach, has helped us achieve a competitive advantage in the Serbian market. Together with our offices within the group, we share daily tax, economic, and financial challenges, as well as in complex situations. Through close cooperation and the exchange of experiences, we apply an interdisciplinary and dynamic approach to explore all possibilities and find the best course of action for each client.

Having international expertise and offices across the region and Europe is an advantage for many reasons. Our clients are international companies, and we help them with appropriate accounting and tax services so they can focus on their core business, easing their operations and securing market share.

4. There is a growing focus on ESG standards. How does LeitnerLeitner help clients monitor and implement such standards, especially in Serbia?

Tanja Đurić, LeitnerLeitner (Stefan Jovanović)

Tanja Đurić: ESG standards are one of the key topics in today’s business world, aimed at achieving sustainable operations. Implementing ESG standards can bring significant benefits to companies, including improved reputation, better performance, attracting investments, and increasing operational efficiency. Although ESG standards are not yet mandatory in Serbia, our clients are part of international groups, which require specific reporting according to group needs.

Some ESG requirements are driven by regulatory compliance, but the ESG framework can still be quite flexible. How then can a company determine which factors are relevant? The answer lies in conducting a materiality level analysis. To support our clients in this process – identifying risks, impacts, and opportunities, then prioritizing them and following through with implementation – our approach involves assessing the current state, providing training and education, developing strategies, and implementing them effectively. In recent years, our group has placed a strong focus on ESG topics, forming a dedicated working group made up of selected employees from all our offices. The goal of cross-border experience sharing is to provide exceptionally high-quality services on a topic being addressed in such a complex way for the first time.

5. Digitalization and AI are crucial topics today. How much have AI tools changed the way you work?

Tijana Đugumović Stojkić: AI tools have significantly changed our way of working in many ways. First, they helped automate routine tasks such as data collection, information entry, and basic analysis, freeing up our time for more complex issues and strategies. When it comes to analyzing data, AI tools can quickly process large volumes of information and identify recurring patterns that may be useful for developing client strategies.

AI enables us to make better decisions and provide higher-quality advice to our clients. Moreover, AI tools can significantly assist in personalizing services and improving service quality for our clients. In the near future, AI will help monitor compliance with tax laws and regulations by identifying potential risks. All of this contributes to greater efficiency, accuracy, and quality in tax consulting, leading to positive outcomes for both our clients and our company. However, we believe it is essential for us as consultants to maintain control over the entire process – to harness the advantages of AI while ensuring a professional, human-centered approach, where the consultant remains at the forefront.

Tijana Đugumović Srojkić, LeitnerLeitner (Stefan Jovanović)

6. In addition to your services, you offer personalized trainings. How do such workshops facilitate your clients’ business?

Tanja Đurić: Personalized trainings are services we are very proud of. Participants, such as top management without financial expertise in our “Finance for Non-Financials” training, aim to gain an adequate financial understanding of key business factors and properly assess and identify business risks. This allows them to make prospective business decisions and build a successful future for their company.

These trainings are tailored to each client’s specific needs, making them especially valuable as they are customized to the company’s business model. In addition, our portfolio includes other related financial and tax trainings, such as preparing financial statements, tax balances, implementing accounting software – all with a focus on a personalized approach.

Ivana Pavković: Furthermore, today’s dynamic business environment demands greater transparency from companies towards their employees. LeitnerLeitner has created a range of trainings for clients and other companies to better explain the different benefit packages offered to their employees. These trainings are designed exclusively according to the specific needs of each company and their employees. This type of education has been very positively received, as it shows that employers are supporting employees in understanding complex regulations, thereby building mutual trust.

Ivana Pavković, LeitnerLeitner (Stefan Jovanović)

7. Your team consists of young but skilled professionals. How do you motivate them and what opportunities do you offer for career development?

Ivana Pavković: Professional competence is a essential for employment at LeitnerLeitner. We always seek dedicated associates who want to grow and progress with us. We support young talents to become excellent consultants. We strive to develop and maintain strong relationships with our respected universities, with whom cooperation has proven highly successful over the years. Some of our youngest employees started their career in our company precisely due to this long-standing partnership.

A key part of LeitnerLeitner’s strategy has always been focused on employee development and talent growth. Since the group’s founding, we have recognized that initiatives for staff development and training deliver excellent results, primarily reflected in improved individual performance. Good results in a highly competitive environment depend solely on attracting, developing, and retaining talent. Talents become a strategic resource, and talent management practices distinguish good companies from less desirable ones for work and career growth. Companies that care about their talents create an environment where every employee can learn, develop, and unlock their full potential, while achieving both personal and corporate goals.

That’s why investing in professional development has always been one of our company’s key success factors. We constantly invest in the training and education of our employees. They have access to all relevant literature and other information sources, such as various web platforms.

There is no place for “eternal trainees” in our company – on the contrary, we motivate employees to improve themselves. As a result, over the years we have built a growing and evolving team capable of meeting challenges with enthusiasm and dedication. This enables us to successfully achieve our plan for continuous growth, positioning our office in Serbia as a recognized provider of professional, high-quality services.

8. What are your plans in future? Will topics such as digitalization and taxation (Pillar 2) remain in focus in the coming years?

Tijana Đugumović Stojkić: Pillar 2 is undoubtedly a highly important global topic that will remain in the focus of tax advisors in the coming period. Pillar 2 focuses on introducing a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% for large multinational companies, reducing the incentive to shift profits to low-tax jurisdictions. It includes rules allowing countries to collect the difference between the minimum tax and the effective tax paid in other jurisdictions, and introduces mandatory reporting by multinational companies on income, profits, and taxes paid in different countries, thus increasing transparency.

LeitnerLeitner (Stefan Jovanović)

There is also a fairness component, with Pillar 2 establishing rules on how profits are taxed across different countries, reducing the risk of double taxation.

This topic is important for Serbia, as the introduction of a global minimum tax could reduce pressure on countries like ours to offer extremely low tax rates to attract foreign investment. On the one hand, this could help maintain a more stable tax system and increase tax revenues; on the other, it might make Serbia less attractive to investors in the short term. However, Pillar 2 will allow Serbia to align with international standards and demonstrate seriousness in fighting tax evasion and tax base erosion. Although these changes might reduce Serbia’s short-term investment appeal, a more stable and transparent tax environment could make Serbia more attractive to foreign investors in the long term.

Ultimately, Pillar 2 represents a significant change in the global tax landscape, and its implementation will have a notable impact on our economy, tax system, and business environment.

Saznajte sve o dešavanjima u biznisu, budite u toku sa lifestyle temama. PRIJAVITE SE NA NAŠ NEWSLETTER.

Izvor: BIZLife

Foto: Stefan Jovanović / BIZLife