DM Rao & Co.

Founded in India in 1995, DM Rao & Co works as a chartered accountancy practice. It has its own branch in Hyderabad and network partners in several other cities, and the firm says it offers all of its professional services under one roof, from the first idea for a business through incorporation and beyond.

Six divisions, each led by a chartered accountant

The practice is organised into divisions covering audit and assurance, international taxation, direct and indirect tax, finance and equity, investment and portfolio work, and allied services. Each division is headed by a qualified chartered accountant, and the divisions are backed by staff from several professions: cost accounting, company secretarial work, semi-qualified roles and experienced bankers. Where an assignment needs specialist attention or spreads across a wide area, the firm brings in its network partners.

Audit and the confidence it gives users

Auditing is described as the most important function of a chartered accountant, and the place where specialised training and professional judgement are used most. The purpose of an audit, the firm explains, is to reassure the users of financial statements that the accounts are sound. The practice also carries out investigations into the financial position of a business or individual before it accepts them as a customer for finance.

Tax planning alongside the accounts

With many taxes on the statute book, current tax information is central to running a business well, the firm says. The assessment of taxes is closely linked to financial accounts, so the tax division works alongside the audit and accounting teams. The international taxation work covers businesses operating across borders, and direct and indirect taxes are handled together so that compliance is kept in order.

Costing, management and incorporation services

Chartered accountants are trained to work out the cost of production and of processes at each level of a manufacturing or service operation, and the firm offers that costing information to clients. Management, legal, secretarial, liaison and insurance services are provided, along with pre-incorporation and post-incorporation work, so that a client has one point of contact from the first plan onward. The firm says its approach is hand-held and that it guides each client towards building the business it has in mind.