Yvon Russon, CEOService On New Grounds (SONG) competes in North Asian markets often dominated by Big Four firms, but differentiates itself through pragmatism and an ‘in-between’ model that bridges regulator and client perspectives.
When businesses expand into China, Hong Kong or Japan, regulatory compliance cannot operate on Western assumptions. Tax registration must align with evolving digital systems, VAT positions face increasing automated scrutiny, and documentation is evaluated through locally interpreted enforcement frameworks.
Operating for over 20 years, SONG’s pragmatic, step-by-step approach assesses a client’s current compliance position, reviews historical filings, analyzes process gaps, and prepares for enforcement interactions. The sustained, on-the-ground engagement with regional tax authorities provides insight not just into what regulations state, but how they are interpreted and applied in practice. By anticipating enforcement expectations and structuring responses, SONG enables local and foreign clients to navigate compliance without losing operational momentum.
“We don’t approach tax solely from a regulator’s lens or purely from a client’s side,” says Yvon Russon, CEO. “Our role is to understand how enforcement works in practice so clients can respond clearly and avoid difficult situations.”
Building Resilient Tax and Operational Structures
How does tax automation change compliance risks for multinational companies?
As China’s tax environment has shifted toward automation and system-driven enforcement, SONG helps companies prepare for scrutiny.
The systemic shift has split organizations into two groups— early adapters who strengthened internal controls and lagging companies now racing to close legacy gaps. Automated checks expose weaknesses in reporting, process design, and documentation quickly. For companies that delayed adaptation, automation has turned minor process weaknesses into visible compliance risks.
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We don’t approach tax solely from a regulator’s lens or purely from a client’s side. Our role is to understand how enforcement works in practice so clients can respond clearly and avoid difficult situations.
Once that baseline is established, the focus shifts to remediation and structural alignment. Where gaps are identified, SONG works with management to recalibrate processes or optimize reporting structures.
In cases involving restructuring careful attention is given to tax implications at every stage. SONG supports clients in cross-border harmonization of entities across China, Hong Kong and Japan, aligning reporting standards, intercompany arrangements and fiscal structures to making the overall group structure more efficient while maintaining regulatory alignment.
Proof in Action
How can proactive tax advisory prevent regulatory disputes in Asia-Pacific?
In a notable case, while assisting a multinational client with local compliance, SONG identified tax exposure linked to supplier gifting practices. While certain forms of gifting were culturally accepted, a compliance audit and detailed financial review revealed that several employees had received benefits exceeding permissible thresholds. Left unaddressed, the exposure carried the risk of audit escalation, penalties and formal dispute with local authorities.
Through structured due diligence, SONG identified the exposures, quantified the impact and helped management address the issue before it escalated. The engagement also translated cultural and enforcement expectations for the client, resulting in revised internal controls and clearer guidelines aligned with local authorities, reducing future risk.
Human-Layer Navigation of Automated Systems
Why does human regulatory insight still matter in automated tax systems?
While automation now underpins much of bookkeeping and reporting, regulatory engagement continues to involve human discretion. Tax authorities deploy refined systems, but interpretation and inquiry are still shaped by the officials responsible for enforcement. SONG operationalizes its human-layer expertise by anticipating how offices interpret policy, preparing documentation and framing client responses to limit prolonged examination or disputes—reinforcing its pragmatic, in-between advisory model.
Looking ahead, the firm expects continued activity across Asia-Pacific as European businesses expand their regional presence. Financial hubs such as Hong Kong and Singapore continue to serve as entry points for cross-border operations, particularly for structuring and treasury functions.
Without a strong tax foundation, expansion becomes fragile. Service On New Grounds ensures companies embed compliance as a strategic foundation, establishing tax structures aligned with local enforcement expectations.
