India Advisory for Professional Services Firms

India as a Knowledge Services Hub for Global Professional Services Firms

India is the world's leading destination for knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) — and for good reason. The country produces 1.5 million engineering graduates annually, has the world's largest English-speaking professional workforce, and operates in a timezone that provides an overnight advantage to US and UK clients. For global professional services firms, establishing an India captive centre — whether for legal research, financial analysis, accounting, or consulting delivery — delivers 50–70% cost savings with no quality compromise when structured correctly.

Services for Professional Services Firms

India Captive Centre Setup for US & UK Professional Firms

Shardhan's India Desk specialises in helping US CPA firms, UK chartered accountancy practices, law firms, and management consultancies establish dedicated India operations. We handle incorporation, HR policy design for professional staff, client data security compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR), and the FEMA structuring of the service delivery arrangement between the India entity and the overseas parent.

GST on Professional Services Exports

Professional services provided by an Indian entity to overseas clients are generally treated as exports of services and are zero-rated for GST purposes, provided the consideration is received in foreign currency and the place of supply is outside India. However, the conditions must be carefully met — particularly the "establishment of the recipient" test under IGST. We advise on GST treatment, LUT filing for service exporters, and GST refund claims for professional services entities.

FEMA for Service Export Entities

Indian entities receiving foreign currency for services must route receipts through RBI-compliant bank accounts and comply with export reporting requirements. For professional services firms with parent companies in the US or UK, the inter-company service agreement, pricing, and payment terms must comply with FEMA's Liberalised Remittance Scheme and AD bank reporting requirements. We manage end-to-end FEMA compliance for service exporters.

Staffing & Payroll for Knowledge Workers

Professional services firms in India require highly competitive, tax-efficient compensation structures to attract quality talent. We design CTC structures optimised for senior professionals, manage monthly payroll with TDS, PF, and superannuation, administer ESOP plans linked to overseas parent equity, and provide Form 16 and salary certificate services for employees requiring home-country tax filings.

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