Engagement process
How We Work With Clients
Every new client starts with a 15-minute consultation with a chartered accountant, followed by a conflict and independence check, a scoping call and a written engagement letter that sets out the scope, responsibilities and fees. Only then does onboarding begin. We do not publish price lists, in line with the rules for chartered accountants.
From first message to engagement letter: what happens, who does it, and how scope and fees are agreed before any work starts.
What happens after you contact us?
Every engagement follows the same seven steps, so you know what is agreed in writing before work begins.
| Step | Who | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. First contact | You | Message us on WhatsApp, call, or book a slot. One line on what you need and any deadline helps us route it to the right chartered accountant. |
| 2. 15-minute consultation | A chartered accountant | A short call to understand the need, check whether it is something we handle, and say plainly if a specialist elsewhere would serve you better. |
| 3. Conflict and independence check | The firm | Before going further we check that taking you on does not conflict with an existing client or with our independence as auditors. |
| 4. Scoping call | You and the engagement lead | About 30 minutes on the entities, filings, reporting and deadlines involved, and on who does what between our team, your staff and your other advisers. |
| 5. Written proposal and engagement letter | The firm | The scope, deliverables, timelines, responsibilities and fees in writing. Government fees and third-party costs are listed separately, at actual. |
| 6. Onboarding | Both | Documents and system access are shared in the way agreed in the engagement letter, and we build the calendar of due dates for your case. |
| 7. Ongoing work | Our team | Filings, reports and review calls on the agreed cycle, with the next dates confirmed in writing each month. |
Which services do clients usually start with?
Most first engagements fall into one of a few services. Founders usually start with company registration in Chennai or go straight to Private Limited Company registration. Businesses facing the tax department come to us for a GST notice reply, GST litigation and appeals or an income tax notice reply. Growing companies add a virtual CFO and a statutory audit, individuals need income tax return filing, and foreign-owned companies need FEMA and RBI compliance.
How are fees agreed?
Fees are agreed in a written engagement letter after the scoping call. They depend on the entities, filings, reporting and review frequency involved. We do not publish price lists, in line with the guidelines for chartered accountants. Government fees, stamp duty and third-party costs are shown separately and charged at actual.
How do we protect our independence as auditors?
We do not act as statutory auditor of a company for which we keep the books, prepare the financial statements or act as virtual CFO. Section 144 of the Companies Act, 2013 restricts the other services an auditor can provide to the company it audits, and we apply that rule before accepting any engagement. Where a client needs both, the audit is done by an independent auditor and we work with them on schedules and queries.
How do we work with your other advisers?
Many clients already have a bookkeeper, a lawyer, an existing auditor or an accountant abroad. The engagement letter sets out who does what. We handle Indian law and Indian filings, share the Indian figures your other advisers need, and leave foreign tax and company law to your home adviser. Foreign parents can read more on our India subsidiary compliance and CFO retainer.
When can we talk, and in which language?
Office hours are Monday – Saturday: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM; Sunday: Closed, India time. We speak English, Tamil, Hindi. For clients in other time zones we schedule calls where your business hours overlap with ours, and send written updates by email or WhatsApp.
How is client information kept confidential?
Confidentiality of client information is a professional duty for chartered accountants under ICAI's Code of Ethics. How documents are shared, who on our team has access and how long records are kept are agreed in writing at onboarding. Ask for the details in your scoping call.
Where do we serve clients from?
Our only office is at Old Door No. AP-890, New No. 18, J-Block, 1st Street, 13th Main Rd, Anna Nagar, Chennai - 600040. Clients in Chennai can meet us there; clients across Tamil Nadu, the rest of India, and NRIs and companies abroad are served online. See the Chennai areas we serve or start with our CA firm in Chennai overview.
FAQ
What do clients ask us most often?
Is the first consultation charged?
The first 15-minute consultation is a short call to understand your need and decide whether we are the right fit. Any work after that, including detailed advice, is agreed in a written engagement letter before it starts, so you always know the scope and fee before you commit.
Why don't you publish your fees?
Chartered accountants in India follow ICAI's guidelines on what may be published, and our fees also depend on the entities, filings and reporting each client needs. We agree them in writing after a scoping call. Government fees, such as MCA filing fees and stamp duty, are facts and appear on our service pages.
Can you work with our existing accountant or lawyer?
Yes. Many clients keep their bookkeeper, a lawyer or an overseas accountant. We agree who does what in the engagement letter, share the Indian figures they need, and stay within Indian law and Indian filings. We do not advise on foreign tax or company law.
Do you work with clients outside Chennai and outside India?
Yes. Our only office is at Old Door No. AP-890, New No. 18, J-Block, 1st Street, 13th Main Rd, Anna Nagar, Chennai - 600040. Clients elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, the rest of India and abroad are served online, with video calls, digital signatures and shared documents. Calls are scheduled where your business hours overlap with ours.
Will the same people handle our work each month?
Each engagement has a named engagement lead who reviews the work, supported by members of our team. The engagement letter names who your main contact is, so you know whom to reach on a filing, a notice or a deadline.
Google reviews
What do clients say about us on Google?
“I used to find tax compliance confusing and honestly a bit stressful, especially with how often regulations seem to change. Working with C S Rushil & Co has made a huge difference. They simplified everything, explained what actually matters for my business, and handled things smoothly from GST filings to more detailed financial reviews. What I appreciate most is their proactive approach they don’t just react, they guide you ahead of time. It’s given me a lot more clarity and confidence in managing my business finances.”
Gokul D.
GST & financial reviews · posted on Google
“Working with C S Rushil & Co has completely transformed my approach to business; their proactive handling of my GST and TDS filings has replaced monthly deadline stress with total financial clarity.”
Mahalakshmi
GST & TDS filings · posted on Google
“Excellent for ITR and GSTR filing. Professional, responsive and reliable. The entire process was smooth and hassle-free.”
Sughirtha D.
ITR & GSTR filing · posted on Google
15 minutes with a chartered accountant · in person in Anna Nagar or online
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