The overarching goal of the Global Accounting Initiative in Nepal (GAIN) is to establish Nepal as a globally competitive accounting and finance outsourcing hub while retaining skilled professionals and contributing to national economic growth through service exports.
The key objectives of the project are:
•To develop a clear and enabling regulatory and institutional framework for accounting and finance outsourcing, ensuring legal clarity, professional accountability, and international confidence.
•To enhance professional capacity and technical readiness of Nepalese accounting professionals through training in global accounting standards, outsourcing practices, and advanced accounting technologies.
•To promote Nepalese accounting firms and professionals in international markets through structured branding, strategic partnerships, and global networking initiatives.
•To facilitate employment generation and entrepreneurship, creating large-scale, high-value job opportunities for Chartered Accountants, accounting graduates, and allied professionals within Nepal.
•To increase foreign currency earnings through export of professional services, contributing to diversification of Nepal’s export base beyond traditional remittance-driven inflows.
•To support long-term ecosystem development by encouraging innovation, research, policy reform, and infrastructure development aligned with global outsourcing standards.
Learn More
As the statutory regulator of the accounting profession in Nepal, established under the Nepal Chartered Accountants Act, 1997, ICAN plays a central and multi-dimensional role in the successful implementation of the GAIN Project. ICAN’s role is structured around the following four key pillars:
ICAN provides regulatory leadership by ensuring that accounting and finance outsourcing activities are aligned with professional standards, ethical requirements, and international best practices. This includes:
•Issuing guidance on permissible outsourcing activities for accounting firms and professionals
•Promoting compliance with accounting, auditing, and ethical standards
•Supporting the development of legal and regulatory frameworks relevant to outsourcing, data protection, and cross-border services
•Through this role, ICAN enhances trust and credibility among global clients and stakeholders.
ICAN leads national efforts to build an outsourcing-ready workforce by:
•Designing and delivering specialized training on global accounting standards, tools, and software
•Enhancing professional competencies in client communication, quality control, and international service delivery
•Supporting entrepreneurship and startup development in accounting and finance outsourcing
•This ensures that Nepalese professionals meet the expectations of international markets.
ICAN acts as an ecosystem enabler by:
•Developing and maintaining the Accounting Outsourcing Portal, serving as a centralized information and verification platform
•Facilitating collaboration among firms, professionals, academic institutions, technology providers, and policymakers
•Encouraging knowledge sharing, research, and innovation within the outsourcing sector
•This role supports structured and sustainable growth of the industry.
ICAN represents Nepal’s accounting profession at regional and international levels by:
•Promoting Nepal’s outsourcing capabilities through global forums, conferences, and professional networks
•Leveraging ICAN’s international affiliations and foreign chapters for market access and partnerships
•Advocating with government agencies for policy reforms, infrastructure development, and investment facilitation
•Through coordinated advocacy and global engagement, ICAN works to position Nepal as a reliable partner in the global accounting and finance outsourcing value chain.
The Global Accounting Initiative in Nepal (GAIN) is an initiative of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN) designed to promote Nepal as a credible global destination for accounting and finance outsourcing services.
The project aims to develop a structured ecosystem by strengthening professional capacity, addressing regulatory and infrastructure challenges, promoting Nepalese firms internationally, and facilitating export of accounting and financial services while ensuring professional quality and ethical compliance.
Under the GAIN framework, Nepalese professionals and firms are engaged in a wide range of accounting and finance outsourcing services, including but not limited to:
• Bookkeeping and general ledger maintenance
• Payroll processing and statutory compliance support
• Tax preparation and compliance services (subject to applicable laws)
• Financial reporting and management accounts
• Audit support and back-office audit services
• Budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis
These services are delivered in accordance with international accounting standards, professional ethics, and client confidentiality requirements.
The GAIN Project is open to:
• ICAN-registered Chartered Accountants and audit firms
• Accounting and finance professionals engaged in outsourcing services
• Eligible firms providing accounting, finance, and related KPO services
• Accounting graduates and students seeking careers in outsourcing
The Accounting Outsourcing Portal serves as a centralized platform to provide information, promote verified service providers, and connect Nepalese professionals with global opportunities, subject to applicable regulatory requirements.
ICAN, as the statutory regulator of the accounting profession in Nepal, ensures quality and credibility in accounting outsourcing by:
• Promoting compliance with accounting, auditing, and ethical standards
• Supporting capacity building and professional development aligned with global requirements
• Facilitating verified listings and information dissemination through the outsourcing portal
• Engaging in policy advocacy to strengthen the legal and regulatory environment
