Key takeaways
- Pick the right kind: advisory, practising CA (audits and certificates), company secretary, lawyer.
- Check ICAI/ICSI membership and the MCA record; ask who does the work and who signs.
- Avoid anyone who promises to 'settle' things with officials or won't give a written engagement letter.
Which kind of advisor do you need?
| What you need | Who does it | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Business and tax advisory, set-up, due diligence, CFO support | Consultancy and advisory firms (often led by Chartered Accountants) | Structure, filings plan, accounting, reporting, partner checks |
| Statutory audit, tax audit, transfer pricing report, Form 146 certificate | A chartered accountant in practice | These must be signed by a practising CA; ask who will sign |
| Company law filings and secretarial work | A company secretary (CS) | Board processes, registers and annual filings with the Registrar |
| Contracts, disputes, licences | A law firm | Shareholder agreements, JV and distribution contracts, litigation |
Most foreign companies need one advisor who coordinates the rest, rather than four separate firms that don’t talk to each other.
Check them in ten minutes
- Professional membership: Chartered Accountants are members of ICAI, which has an online member search. Company secretaries are members of ICSI.
- The company behind them: look up the firm or company on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs master data: status, directors and filing history.
- Real work, real people: named team members with LinkedIn profiles, published guides, and at least one reference you can call.
- Presence where you need it: someone who can actually visit your site, supplier or partner.
Seven questions to ask before you sign
- Who exactly will do the work, and who is my day-to-day contact?
- Can you show work you have done for companies from my country?
- Will I get reports in English, on my head office’s calendar?
- Is the fee fixed, and what is outside the scope?
- Who signs the audits and certificates, if you don’t?
- How do you handle my data and documents?
- How quickly do you reply, and in which time zone?
Red flags
- Promises to “guarantee” approvals or “settle” matters with officials. Under your own country’s anti-bribery law this is a risk to you, not just to them.
- No written engagement letter, or fees asked in cash.
- Vague answers on who signs audits and certificates.
- No one available in your working hours.
Where we fit
Bharat Quantum Prospera is a consultancy and advisory company led by Chartered Accountants, based in Ahmedabad with offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Rajkot and Dubai. We handle set-up, FEMA/RBI reporting, accounting and reporting, tax and transfer pricing advisory, and due diligence for foreign companies, and coordinate the specialists you need. Start with a free 15-minute call, or see our on-the-ground services.
Sources
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs: company master data
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a good business advisor in India as a foreign company?
Decide which kind of advisor you need (advisory, practising CA for audits and certificates, company secretary, lawyer), check their professional membership and company record online, ask who will do the work and who signs, insist on a written fixed-scope engagement and English reporting, and take a reference from a client in your country.
Who can sign a transfer pricing report in India?
The accountant's report on international transactions must be signed by a chartered accountant in practice. If your advisor is a consultancy rather than a practising firm, ask who will sign it.
How do I check if an Indian Chartered Accountant is genuine?
Use ICAI's online member search to confirm membership, and check any firm or company they run on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs master data.
Can I talk to an advisor in India before deciding?
Yes. CA Durgesh Chavda offers a free 15-minute call for companies outside India, with slots shown in your own time zone.
Please note: this guide is general information based on the rules as they stood on the review date above. Regulations and RBI/CBDT procedures change often — please get advice on your specific facts before acting.