Ashok Maheshwary and Associates

What Ashok Maheshwary and Associates does

Ashok Maheshwary and Associates, operating under the AKM Global brand, is an Indian professional services firm founded in 1981 and headquartered in Gurgaon that delivers tax, advisory, transaction, and outsourcing services from seven offices to clients in more than 40 countries. The firm employs 900+ professionals across tax, management, and legal disciplines, with Managing Partners Amit Maheshwari and Sumit Maheshwari leading an organization structured into specialized practices covering direct and indirect tax, transfer pricing, international tax planning, transaction advisory, corporate legal and secretarial work, payroll, accounting, US/UK/Canada tax return outsourcing, SOC and HITRUST reporting, and representation before tax authorities. Named country desks (Japan, UAE, US) and India-entry offerings such as Employer of Record and Captive/GCC-as-a-Service indicate a deliberate positioning around foreign companies operating in or entering India.

The firm monetizes through professional services fees on quote-based engagements, with revenue concentrated in tax advisory and compliance, supported by recurring outsourcing contracts (US tax return, bookkeeping, payroll, audit) and project-based transaction work. Go-to-market is partner-led direct engagement with Fortune 500/1000 multinationals, Indian corporates, startups, and HNIs/NRIs, amplified by thought leadership: a 200+ post blog, monthly newsletters, co-authored publications with Wolters Kluwer and Lexis Nexis, and partner commentary across major Indian and international media outlets. Distribution leverage comes from senior partners' positions on FICCI, CII, and IACC committees.

Reputationally, AKM Global has been consecutively ranked in the International Tax Review's World Tax and World Transfer Pricing Guides from 2017 through 2025 (Tier-2 for Transfer Pricing) and received multiple Asia Tax Awards nominations (2016-2024). The firm holds SOC 2 Type 2 certification. A material risk overlay is the December 2024 SEBI order barring founder Ashok Maheshwari from securities markets for up to four years and imposing ₹1.29 crore disgorgement plus ₹1.52 crore in penalties in a front-running case linked to a portfolio management services client — an event that affects the founder's reputation and the firm's professional standing despite being separate from AKM Global's tax advisory operations.

Name

Ashok Maheshwary and Associates

Legal name

AKM Global

Website

https://akmglobal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

AKM Global is an Indian tax, advisory, and outsourcing firm founded in 1981 with 900+ professionals across 7 Indian offices, serving Fortune 500 multinationals, startups, and HNIs with India entry, transfer pricing, transaction advisory, and US/UK tax return outsourcing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tax & Advisory Services

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54199)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Tax Operations Support (Indirect Tax, Withholding, Compliance Admin) (BPAAAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Entity Setup & Expansion Advisory (Market Entry, Subsidiary Formation) (BPACAHAM), Employer of Record (EOR) & Global Payroll (FSAMAKAB), Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships Advisory (JVs, Alliances, Carve-outs) (BPAHAOAG), Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Advisory (BPAHAFAA)

Keywords

• Tax advisory services
• International tax planning
• Transfer pricing services
• Regulatory compliance consulting
• Business advisory services

Headquarters

HQ city

Gurugram

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tax Advisory and Compliance Services: Professional services fees charged for tax advisory, compliance, transfer pricing, international tax planning, and regulatory services rendered to corporate and individual clients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AKM Global is an Indian chartered-accountancy and advisory firm providing tax, regulatory, transaction, and outsourcing services to multinational corporations, Indian businesses, startups, and high net-worth individuals. Core offerings include cross-border tax and transfer pricing advisory, India market-entry and company-registration services, direct and indirect tax compliance, M&A and business valuation, accounting, payroll, virtual CFO support, and outsourced US/UK tax return preparation. All services are delivered by the firm's own 900+ professionals across seven Indian offices.

Product overview

AKM Global is a multi-service tax, advisory, and regulatory services firm offering a comprehensive portfolio of professional services. The core offerings include Business Advisory Services (covering market entry, registration, EOR, and corporate advisory), Taxation Services (direct/indirect tax, international tax, transfer pricing), Corporate Support Services (accounting, payroll, compliance), Transaction Advisory (M&A, valuation, due diligence), and specialized Outsourcing Services. The firm also offers UAE-specific services and Robotic Process Automation. All services are delivered by separate legal entities operating under the AKM Global trademark, with operations across 7 locations in India serving clients in over 40 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Advisory Services End-to-end advisory on India market entry and expansion, including India entry strategies, corporate legal and secretarial advisory, market assessment, manufacturing setup, employer of record (EOR) services, company registration in India, market research and pre-business setup advisory, PE risk advisory, employee stock benefit advisory, outbound expansion support, family office services, transition support services, and captive / GCC as a service. Designed for multinational corporations, startups, and closely held businesses setting up or growing in India.
• Taxation Services Full-spectrum tax advisory covering direct tax, indirect tax, expatriate taxation, goods and services tax (GST), international tax planning, transfer pricing, and OIDAR services. Serves MNCs, Indian corporates, HNIs, and NRIs operating in or with interests in India.
• Corporate Support Services Recurring operational support including accounting and bookkeeping, payroll, dematerialization of securities, SOFTEX compliance, labour law compliance and POSH Act, virtual CFO services, and DSC and DIN services. Targeted at businesses requiring ongoing statutory and operational compliance.
• Transaction Advisory Services M&A and transaction support including business valuation, due diligence, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, vendor due diligence, internal audit, and internal financial control. Delivered to corporates and investors evaluating or executing transactions in India.
• Outsourcing Services Outsourced offerings including UK corporate tax return preparation, US tax return preparation, outsource bookkeeping, SOC and HITRUST reporting, payroll management, audit outsourcing, due diligence, and accounting and advisory services. Targeted at CPA firms and accounting practices in the US, UK, and other markets seeking back-office support.
• UAE Services Specialized services for UAE operations including UAE corporate tax, free zone company incorporation, and Pillar 2 impact assessment for UAE entities. Targeted at India-based businesses operating into the UAE and UAE-headquartered entities facing India tax obligations.
• Representation and Litigation Support Legal representation and support services before tax and regulatory authorities for litigation and dispute resolution matters. Serves clients facing tax assessments, appeals, and regulatory enforcement actions in India.
• Robotic Process Automation Robotic Process Automation services for business process optimization, automating repetitive finance, tax, and compliance workflows for clients. Designed for corporate finance, tax, and compliance functions seeking to streamline operations.
• Transfer Pricing Services Transfer pricing advisory including documentation, international benchmarking using databases such as RoyaltyStat, Amadeus, KTMine, BvD, and Thomson Reuters, advance pricing agreement (APA) assistance, controversy management, and compliance including Master File, Local File, and Country-by-Country reporting. Targeted at multinational groups with intercompany transactions involving India.

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry)coreOthersAKM Global's Managing Partner Amit Maheshwari is a member of the Taxation Committee of FICCI, actively contributing to industry policy and advocacy.
• CII (Confederation of Indian Industry)coreOthersAmit Maheshwari is a special invitee to the CII's Delhi State council, providing AKM Global with access to industry networks and policy discussions.
• IACC (Indian American Chamber of Commerce)coreOthersAmit Maheshwari serves as Co-chair of the Trade and Development Committee of IACC, enabling cross-border business connections and GTM activities for clients.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• BDO India: Mid-tier international tax and advisory network in India offering transfer pricing, tax compliance, and cross-border advisory; competes with AKM in the mid-market MNC segment seeking Big-4 alternative pricing.
• KPMG India (Tax): Big 4 tax practice offering transfer pricing, direct tax, indirect tax, and cross-border advisory that overlaps with AKM's full-stack tax offering, particularly for Fortune 500 mandates requiring multi-jurisdiction coverage.
• EY India (Tax): Big 4 tax practice with comparable transfer pricing, international tax, and India entry advisory services; competes with AKM on enterprise mandates where global brand and integrated cross-border teams are deciding factors.
• Deloitte India (Tax & Legal): Big 4 tax and legal practice in India with much broader international network; competes with AKM on large multi-country transfer pricing, international tax structuring, and inbound/outbound investment deals where MNCs need global coordination.

Direct peers

• Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan: Large Indian tax and indirect tax (GST) litigation and advisory practice with deep transfer pricing expertise, competing with AKM on direct tax, indirect tax, and international tax advisory for MNC clients entering or operating in India.
• Nangia Advisors LLP: India-focused tax, transfer pricing, and advisory firm regularly ranked alongside AKM Global in International Tax Review guides; comparable in size, ownership model, and cross-border tax advisory offerings.
• Bharat Tax & Finance Consultants: Indian CA firm with comparable transfer pricing, FEMA, and international tax practices serving MNC subsidiaries in India, overlapping directly with AKM's mid-market tax advisory segment.
• SK Patodia & Associates: Indian chartered accountancy and tax advisory firm offering transfer pricing, international tax, and audit services; competes head-to-head with AKM Global in mid-market transfer pricing and cross-border tax advisory mandates.

Regional players

• WTS Global / WTS Dhruva (India member): Dhruva Advisors is the WTS Global member firm in India offering transfer pricing and international tax; competes with AKM directly on cross-border tax while leveraging a wider international referral network for outbound work.

Emerging players

• Multiply Ventures / RNB Global: India-focused advisory platforms with overlapping India entry, EOR, and corporate secretarial offerings targeting the same startup and SME inbound segment that AKM serves via its business advisory and EOR practices.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/akm_global
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuzUZeoMmc_5HplzkxuMO9w
• Facebookfacebook.com/AKM-Global-283023791807060
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/akmglobal

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ashok Maheshwary and Associates