Ashutosh Bihani

ICAI Champions Global Access for Indian CAs under India–UK FTA "Borders may divide geography, but talent knows no limits." The India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) marks a historic milestone for Indian Chartered Accountants, opening global doors to opportunity, mobility, and recognition.  Key Highlights for Indian CAs: 🔹 Simplified Visa & Entry: Easier mobility for Indian professionals, contractual service providers & business visitors. 🔹 Social Security Relief: No double contribution in the UK for up to 3 years—boosting cost competitiveness. 🔹 Title Protection & Market Access: ICAI secured reciprocal use of the “Chartered Accountant” title & liberal market access. 🔹 Global Practice Rights: Mutual recognition of qualifications allows Indian CAs to register & practice in the UK. 🔹 Cross-border Opportunities (Mode 1): Enhanced scope for outsourcing in tax, bookkeeping, and consulting. 🔹 Commercial Presence (Mode 3): Indian CA firms can now incorporate in the UK with national treatment. 🛡️ ICAI played a pivotal role, offering technical insights, advocating policy changes, and ensuring professional standards are upheld globally. This breakthrough positions Indian CAs at the forefront of the global digital services economy, while expanding India’s footprint in high-value professional services.

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Ajay Sethi, Baker Tilly ASA India, in an exclusive interaction with ETCFO, highlights the urgent need for India to build a robust Top-20 audit firm ecosystem not just aim for a desi Big Four. His views reflect a larger conversation around capacity, credibility, and competition in the Indian audit space. https://lnkd.in/gHzajmgG #AuditFirms #AuditEcosystem #AuditReform

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#ConsumerTrends A new report by Grant Thornton Bharat LLP and the NRAI highlights that Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are becoming the new growth engine for India's food and beverage industry. According to the report, 94% of operators plan to expand into these markets, with 78% expecting to break even within two years. Naveen Malpani, Partner at Grant Thornton Bharat LLP, stated that these cities "offer lower costs, faster breakeven, and digitally savvy consumers." He also pointed out the challenges of fragmented supply chains and talent shortages. Sagar J Daryani, President of NRAI, added that "The rise of aspirational consumers, supported by digital penetration and improving infrastructure, is creating fertile ground for innovation and scale." The report notes that these markets attract consumers seeking aspirational dining at accessible prices. Read the story: https://ow.ly/eU2850WYFLg Story by: Nusra Kalim #FandBIndustry #Tier2Cities #Tier3Cities #IndiaGrowthStory #AspiringIndia #DigitalIndia

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Great insights provided by the Report on private credit which is scaling rapidly in India, with record deal volumes (~79 deals) and values (~US$9b), indicating its emergence as a mainstream financing alternative across sectors. Investor confidence remains strong, with most funds targeting double-digit returns and maintaining a bullish outlook despite rising competition.

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Gautam Bhattacharya Joins KPMG India as Partner & Head of Technology Consulting.! KPMG India has appointed Gautam Bhattacharya as the Partner and Head of Technology Consulting, marking a pivotal move in its strategy to enhance digital transformation services across sectors. Gautam will be based in Bengaluru, leading the firm’s technology consulting vertical with a sharp focus on enterprise transformation, digital innovation, and cloud-first modernization initiatives. Gautam brings with him a stellar track record, having served as Partner – Advisory Services at EY India for nearly 15 years. His deep expertise has played a key role in accelerating consulting-led growth and delivering strategic technology solutions at scale. His impressive professional journey also includes leadership stints at Quoreka, Bristlecone, Intel Corporation, and global consulting powerhouses like SAP, KPMG US, and PwC. Returning to KPMG India, Gautam’s appointment signals a renewed and strategic commitment by the firm to build agile, future-ready enterprises, empowering clients through cutting-edge digital transformation and cloud-first strategies. #TechnologyConsulting #DigitalTransformation #EnterpriseTransformation #CloudFirst #InnovationLeadership #DigitalInnovation #ITStrategy #TechLeadership #KPMGIndia #KPMG #GautamBhattacharya #LeadershipUpdate #PartnerAppointment #ExecutiveLeadership #NewRole #FutureOfWork #LeadershipMatters #DigitalFuture #StrategyAndInnovation #CIOLeadership #BengaluruTech #IndiaBusiness #ConsultingLife #TransformationJourney

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has introduced a revised audit report format specifically tailored for non-corporate entities like partnerships, proprietorships, and small businesses. Why this matters: -The new format ensures clarity, consistency, and compliance with the latest auditing standards. -It aligns reporting with SA 700 series and improves communication with stakeholders. Key updates: -Enhanced reporting on going concern assumptions. -More structured presentation of audit opinion and responsibilities. -Simplified language for better understanding by non-corporate users. This change is especially important for CAs who handle MSME clients and unlisted firms. Better reporting builds better trust. Time to review your audit files and adapt. The format may be new, but the goal remains the same: true and fair reporting. #audit #ca #auditreports #icai

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Gulzar Didwania, Partner, Deloitte India, shares his perspective on the historic Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), effective 1 October 2025. The agreement provides direct access for over 99 percent of Indian exports to #EFTA and includes an investment commitment of over US$100 billion over the next 15 years. It is expected to boost key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, machinery, chemicals, food processing, banking, and insurance, support professional services mobility, and generate significant employment, marking a major milestone for India’s #trade and investment growth. #DeloitteIndia

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