Networking Meeting – International Affiliation Page 1 Networking Meeting JB Nagar CPE Study Circle...

Networking Meeting – International Affiliation

Networking MeetingJB Nagar CPE Study Circle Jointly with WIRC

International Affiliation

December 2013

Presented by :Milind S KothariManaging Partner and Head of Direct Tax,BDO India LLP

INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• An International Network is an association of independent accounting and consulting firms from different parts of the world

• Through this association, the member firms share resources- from practice management solutions to marketing initiatives, client referrals and staffing concerns

• Currently, the landscape of Affiliations seem as under:


INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONSTop Professional Services Networks

Network/ Association No of Offices

Revenue 2012

No of Partners

• Deloitte 896 32.40 9,538

• PwC 749 31.50 8,603

• Ernst & Young n/a 24.40 8,244

• KPMG 700 23.00 7,677

• BDO 1,082 6.40 4,111

• Grant Thornton 498 4.20 2,500

• RSM International 732 3.90 3,113

• Mazars 400 1.30 2,998

• Baker Tilly 610 2,576


INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONHow Does It Work

Structure of the Network/ Association

• The co-ordinating entity is usually organised as a LLP/corporate entity and overseas the functioning of the network

• Association of independent accounting firms

• Association does not provide professional services in its own name

• Each firm is a separate legal entity organised under the laws of the country in which it practices and is locally owned and managed

• Member firms are not members/ partners of any one entity, nor legal partners of each other nor is any one firm responsible for the services rendered by another firm

• Cost of coordinating the network is funded by member firms

• The Network does not wish to make profit out of its member firms


INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONManagement Structure


INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONNeed• At present, about 70% of global trade is controlled by MNCs which usually trade

with their own subsidiaries setup in various countries

• Clients prefer globally accepted solutions, taking a holistic view of the local as well as overseas implications; for this, the Clients prefer a one stop shop for advise

• Clients having global presence require global accounting consolidation support as well as support for group reporting

• Recent trends require accounting firms to provide multi discipline services; and at the same time to develop specialisation and expertise in their core competencies


INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONIndian Firms – Professional Opportunities• Indian Firms, being part of an International Network, get the opportunity to

network with firms across the Globe

• International Affiliation brings in referral work amongst member firms:

- Inbound Referrals : Member firms refer work to the Indian firm- Outbound Referrals : Indian firm refers work to the Member firms- Joint Work: Indian firms could work with Member firms on cross border

transactions• Indian firm can provide better services to its clients in terms of a holistic and a

one stop shop advice on international transactions

• International affiliation brings in better visibility to the Indian firm

• Indian firm would be in a position to capitalise upon the branding of the global network, which would translate to better billing rates


INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONKey Requirements for a Network …


INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONKey Requirements for a Network


INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONBenefits


• International Affiliation provides an opportunity to network with peers in other countries

• Work involving cross border jurisdictions gives an exposure to a wide spectrum of clients and overseas regulations

• Affiliation facilitates development and usage of Audit tools that are commonly used across the world

• Member firms are able to share knowledge and other resources (marketing material, software licenses, manuals etc)

• Access to global conferences & trainings

• Adoption of the Network’s proven system and best practices

• Employees are provided with an opportunity to work outside India on secondment assignments

INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONChallenges• Member firms are mandated to refer assignments to member firms within the

Network; which may translate into an additional cost for the client

• Even though the Indian firms may not legally bound by the work carried out by the other member firms, they may still be accountable for such services to the Indian clients

• Most networks may not turn out to be effective, including involving a long gestation period

• The cost incurred to be a part of the network may not be commensurate to the benefits derived being a part of the network


INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONRegulations – A snapshot• The ICAI has issued Guidelines for Networking for firms registered with ICAI

• The definition of ‘Network’ under the said guidelines is as follows:

- A larger structure- Aimed at co-operation- Aimed at profit, cost sharing or - Shares common ownership, control or management, quality controls policies

and procedures, business strategy, brand name or a significant part of professional resources

• As per the said Guidelines, the Indian firm constituting a networking arrangement with an entity outside India has to file a declaration in Form D with the ICAI within 30 days from the date of entering into such arrangement

• Once the relationship of network arises, it is necessary for Indian member firms to comply with all the ethical applicable standards prescribed by ICAI


INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONGeneral Perception and Current Scenario …• Under the ICAI regulations, Indian firms registered with the ICAI are permitted to

carry out attestation and regulatory functions

• Further, such firms are subject to the standards and guidelines issued by ICAI from time to time

• The Code of Ethics issued by the ICAI does not permit any practising member to pay or accept any share, commission or brokerage or profits of a professional business from any person who is not a member of the ICAI

• ICAI registered firms are restricted from paying referral fees to member firms

• Accounting firms have come under ICAI’s scanner in recent times as a fallout of one of the largest scam of an Indian IT service provider


COMPETITION LANDSCAPE

• Multinational Clients prefer to work with a single service provider globally, which means significant work of multinational is not open to competition in each country

• On assignments where there is no compulsion to work with a service provider, the competition tends to get compartmentalized as under:

- Choose from one of the Big 4s- Opt to work with Global Firms outside the Big 4- Choose to work an domestic Firm

• Competition is intense in all the 3 segments which means fee rationalization, pushing up quality and deliverables


New Services

• With a large team sizes and access to the best technology, Professional services firm have several options that hitherto are out of reach of domestic firms

- Consulting initiatives in the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework, - Global effort to assist corporations with outsourcing, - Global political risk assessment with the political risk advisory firm - Actuarial consultancy departments; - Actuarial and Insurance Management Solutions Actuarial covers mainly 4

areas: pensions, life insurance, non-life insurance, and investments. - Information security and privacy, data quality and integrity, project risk,

business continuity management, internal auditing and IT control assurance.- Technology integration, strategy and operations, human capital- Dispute, personal and commercial bankruptcy, forensics, e-discovery, document

review, advisory, capital projects consulting and valuation services.- Public Sector practice


RECENT TRENDSConsolidation & Mergers


RECENT TRENDSNetworking Opportunities in India

• Accounting Firms


%s are approximate

• Advantages of consolidation• Expand footprint• Provide depth• Adding to the portfolio of

services• Better recognition• Specialisation

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