When it comes to arm’s-length benchmarking in a transfer-pricing context, many professionals turn to large commercial databases. But is there a leaner, more affordable solution built specifically for TP?
At Intra Pricing Solutions we developed the TPGenie Benchmarking Database, with the comparable-companies module designed specifically for transfer-pricing comparables. Here’s how it stands out – especially when you’re looking for a cost-efficient alternative to Bureau van Dijk.
Why the “Comparable Companies” module matters
In a typical TP documentation file, you’ll need to support methods such as the Transactional Net Margin Method (TNMM), Resale Minus or Cost Plus by selecting proper comparable companies.
With the comparable-companies search engine in TPGenie:
- You can filter through companies in Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia and North America.
- You benefit from pre-selected results checked by our experts, rather than starting from raw unfiltered data.
- The output integrates directly into your template for TP documentation, easing the burden of manual preparation.
- Refine your search results with an integrated Benchmarking AI module using automated webcrawling, automated screenshots and refinement of your comparables.
By comparison, generic large-scale databases like Bureau van Dijk have broader coverage (which is useful) but also bring complexity, higher cost and more “noise” for TP-specific purposes. If you’re seeking cost-effectiveness and TP-fit, a specialised option can make sense.
What makes TPGenie’s comparable-companies search compelling as a cheaper alternative
Here are five advantages that lean in favour of TPGenie when budget, specificity and workflow matter:
- Tailored for TP use-cases
Unlike a generic corporate-database vendor, TPGenie is built around transfer-pricing workflows: comparable companies, financing, services and more. For the comparable-companies segment, that means filters, output and format align with TP documentation needs. - Reduced time and overhead
The page emphasises: “No need anymore to purchase expensive databases and then spend hours or even days on analysing the raw data.” With pre-processed, TP-oriented comparables, you save valuable hours—important when your time is limited. - Direct integration with TP documentation
The comparable companies output can be integrated into your local-file documentation within TPGenie. That means fewer steps and less manual export/import. Lower cost often comes from less effort. - Focused geographic scope for relevant depth
The comparable companies engine covers Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia and North America. If your TP work is concentrated in those regions, you’ll likely find the depth you need without paying for “global‐universe” data you won’t use. - Affordability vs large database pricing
While the page doesn’t publish pricing publicly, the messaging (“cheaper alternative”) is clear. If you compare the licence fee + analyst hours of a large database like Bureau van Dijk with a TP-specific tool, cost savings can become significant.
Use-case: How to run your comparable-company search
Here’s a typical workflow using the comparable-companies module in TPGenie:
- Define your tested party, transaction type and method (e.g., TNMM for a distribution subsidiary).
- Use the comparable-companies engine to filter on region (e.g., Europe), industry, size, margin band, and other TP-relevant criteria.
- Review the pre-selected results, accept or reject using TPGenie’s Benchmarking AI (95 % accuracy in automatic acceptance/rejection) to reduce manual screening.
- Export the benchmark Excel plus write-up, integrate into your local-file or global file as needed.
- Document your selection and comparability adjustments in your TP report—now easier because the output is designed for TP documentation.
Positioning vs Bureau van Dijk – what to check
When comparing TPGenie’s comparable-companies module with Bureau van Dijk, here are questions to ask:
- Does the vendor provide a TP-specific data set (rather than general corporate data)?
- How much analyst time is required to filter and process comparables?
- Can you integrate the output directly into your TP documentation or do you need to re-work it?
- What is the licence cost and how many users or clients can access it?
- For your countries/regions of interest, does the database offer sufficient coverage and depth of comparables?
- Does the tool allow custom branding/output and is the workflow efficient?
TPGenie ticks many of these boxes and is especially appealing when you want “good enough” comparables for TP at a fraction of the cost and effort of an oversized general database.
Takeaway
If you’re a TP advisor or in-house TP team looking for a benchmarking database focused on comparable companies, and you find that a heavy, general database is overkill (in cost or workflow complexity), then TPGenie’s comparable-companies module from Intra Pricing Solutions is an attractive choice.
It offers: TP-focused comparables, efficient workflow, integration with TP documentation and lower cost.
By choosing a TP-specific alternative rather than defaulting to a large vendor database, you can allocate more budget to analysis and insights, rather than data wrangling and licence fees.
What’s Next?
If you’d like a live demo of the comparable-companies module in TPGenie, schedule your session today. See how quickly you can run a comparable-company search, export your benchmark output and integrate it into your local-file documentation.
For more information visit the Benchmarking Database page on our website.
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