Client Profile:
A foreign-owned consumer brand looking to enter the Indian market through a wholly owned subsidiary
(Parent entity based in Southeast Asia; segment: food-tech and wellness products)
Engagement Scope:
CFO Pulse was appointed as the strategic financial advisor for the company’s India entry setup, providing end-to-end support including entity structuring, regulatory compliance, taxation, and early operational finance management.
CFO Pulse Approach:
🏢 1. Entry Strategy & Entity Setup
- Recommended optimal entry structure (private limited company vs LLP) based on repatriation needs, compliance costs, and long-term expansion goals
- Coordinated with legal and secretarial partners for INC-29, GST, PAN, TAN, and FDI compliance
- Created a checklist for parent-subsidiary transactions, ensuring FEMA and RBI guidelines were met
📊 2. Accounting, Tax & Regulatory Support
- Set up local books of accounts in accordance with Indian GAAP and aligned them with parent reporting standards (IFRS)
- Designed monthly MIS templates and reporting packs for headquarters
- Ensured accurate classification of intercompany transactions, vendor payments, and import duties
- Managed GST registration and compliance, guiding the team through e-invoicing and return filing frameworks
🤝 3. Local Operations Enablement
- Onboarded local vendors, negotiated with logistics and warehousing partners for initial rollout
- Helped recruit and onboard the first in-house finance executive, trained on internal controls and SOPs
- Reviewed pricing strategy with consideration for import duties, freight, GST impact, and transfer pricing
Tangible Results:
- Successfully launched operations in India with a fully compliant structure within 90 days
- Enabled smooth reporting to international HQ, with financials aligned across borders
- Ensured zero compliance penalties and on-time filings during first 12 months of operations
- CFO Pulse continues to serve as a long-term India advisory partner for expansion across metros
