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A Strategic Growth Move for Accounting and CPA Firms

1. Executive Summary

In an increasingly competitive accounting industry, firms that prioritize scalability, operational efficiency, and talent access are positioning themselves for sustainable growth.
Building a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India has evolved from being a trend among Big Four firms to becoming a strategic imperative for forward-thinking mid-sized and large accounting practices in the US and UK.

This whitepaper outlines why establishing your own Capability Centre is a transformational step, the key success factors, and how firms like RSM, KPMG, Grant Thornton, and others are already leveraging India’s vast potential.

Finally, it highlights how GroWize can help accounting firms set up their fully managed Capability Centre in India.

2. What is a Capability Centre?

A Capability Centre is an extension of your firm — a fully owned, fully managed offshore branch that mirrors your firm’s quality, culture, and operational standards.
Unlike traditional outsourcing models, a Capability Centre provides full control, transparency, and integration into your global operations, allowing firms to build deep technical expertise and client service excellence offshore.

Today, nearly all Big Four and Top 10 firms operate their GCCs in India — and the model is now rapidly being adopted by mid-sized and growing firms too.

3. Why Capability Centres Are Critical for the Future

• Severe talent shortages in the US and UK are limiting firm growth.
• Rising operational costs are placing increasing pressure on margins. Forward-looking firms are building their own Capability Centres to build long-term operational resilience.
• Demand for faster, better client delivery is at an all-time high.

Capability Centres address these challenges by enabling firms to:

• Access a vast, qualified, English-speaking workforce.
• Build dedicated teams aligned to their firm’s DNA.
• Achieve 30–40% cost optimization compared to existing costs.
• Expand service lines across audit, tax, accounting, advisory, due diligence, and more.

4. Global Accounting Talent Trends

Combined Size of Accounting Professionals (2024):

(Source: IFAC, AICPA, ICAEW, 2024 reports)

Despite these numbers, both the US and UK face severe skill gaps at mid and senior levels — driving firms to look offshore for quality talent.

5. Why India is the Ideal Destination

India offers:

• A deep talent pool of qualified Chartered Accountants and Accounting graduates.
• English as the primary business language.
• Lower attrition rates compared to other offshore destinations.
• A stable, fast-growing economy.
• A strong professional services culture aligned with international standards.

Over the past decade, India has become home to Capability Centres of not just Big Four and other leading firms, but global tech leaders like Apple, Google, Microsoft and leading companies across other sectors – who recognized India’s strategic advantage early.

6. Common Challenges Firms Face

• Lack of knowledge about Indian business environment
• Unfamiliarity with regional talent markets
• Concerns over real estate and operational management
• Cultural differences and people management nuances
• Misconceptions about control and quality

With the right partner, these challenges are easily navigable, turning perceived risks into strategic strengths.

7. Strategic Advantage of Setting Up Your Own Centre

• Full transparency and ownership
• Building a firm-aligned culture from day one
• Direct access to top-tier, qualified talent
• Seamless integration into firm’s operations
• Long-term operational efficiency and cost control
• Strategic insulation from future talent market volatility

8. Common Myths About Capability Centre