Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Links
Team and Office Information
How long has it been since your company was established?
Mercurius Advisory Services was established in 2008.
Where is your headquarters/office located and do you have multiple offices you operate from?
We are based in New Delhi, India. Our 300+ employees currently operate from a single office.
However, we do have foreign representative offices in:
► Miami, USA
► London, UK
► Tokyo, Japan
What is your team size? Additionally, may I inquire about the qualification and work report of the assigned expert?
At present, we have a team of over 300 professionals trained in accounting, finance and related fields. These include CPAs, ACCAs, CAs and MBAs as well as legal experts. We can certainly provide information on the professional qualifications, experience and other relevant details on your assigned expert if you want.
What are your usual work timings?
We usually work as per the Indian business hours and are available from 05:30 AM to 02:30 PM UTC.
But we can accommodate specific assignments requiring different time windows.
What is the availability of you/your team for active communication?
As mentioned above, our usual working hours are 05:30 AM to 02:30 PM UTC. This applies to all forms of communication — emails, instant messages, phone calls and meetings on various online platforms. We try to be more flexible when it comes to pre-scheduled calls and meetings. However, we prefer a prior intimation of at least 24 hours in these cases
Do you subcontract/sublet your work?
No, we do not subcontract or sublet our work. As mentioned above, we have a trusted in-house team 300+ professionals to execute the work assigned by our clients.
What procedure do you follow while hiring your employees?
We follow a thorough hiring process for our employees:
- Shortlisting resumes and screening the candidates.
- Initial interview to ascertain knowledge, attitude and communication skills.
- Background verification based on employment history.
- Reference verification to evaluate past performance and conduct.
- Final interview to evaluate overall fit with the role and our organisation.
What do you do to stay updated?
We have strong HR processes for learning and development (L&D) and an effective team to ensure that we stay abreast of recent changes both individually and as an organization. This is achieved through implementing a strict training calendar which includes:
- In-house trainings
- Online/offline courses.
- Seminars/webinars.
We also subscribe to several publications and online resources.
Data Security & Confidentiality
How do you ensure data security and confidentiality?
We are an ISO 27001 certified organisation and have strict policies and processes to ensure that client data remains secure and confidential.
► All employees work on the assigned office computers with appropriate restrictions on
(1) external device connections
(2) data sharing capabilities and
(3) device data storage limits.
► All client and work data are stored on network servers with best-in-class storage system as well as security and firewall protection. Systematic remote backup processes are in place.
► All IT assets have exclusively domain-based access and have centralised anti-virus protection.
Besides, we enter into non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements with our clients.
How do you transfer or share data?
We are open to using any online tool or utility required by the client. However, we recommend established and secure data transfers platforms. Some of these include:
► File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
► Google Drive
► One Drive
► Dropbox
How do you ensure the accuracy and integrity of the financial records?
We have a multichannel review process to ensure service accuracy. This includes the makerchecker concept where our services get thoroughly reviewed before the final delivery.
Do you assign backup support or resources to ensure guaranteed quality and project completion?
Yes, we assign one backup resource to provide redundancy and ensure timely completion in the event of unavailability of the primary Single Point of Contact (SPOC) due to any unforeseen circumstances. Both SPOC and the backup resource are assigned at the beginning of the project.
How should I track the progress of the projects?
To ensure that our team and clients are on the same page, we have institutionalized mechanism of Weekly Status Updates. These updates include information on
(a) list of activities completed,
(b) list of activities under progress, and
(c) any requirements that our teams may have from the client to complete the assigned tasks.
Apart from this, there are periodic and need-based meetings carried out by the SPOCs.
This depends on specific requirements of the assignment and vary from project to project.
Which timeline do you generally follow for providing monthly data?
The monthly financial reports are usually shared with the clients on or before the 7th business day of the subsequent month. This is subject to timely availability of necessary information from the client in line with a schedule which is agreed in advance.
What support is needed from the client’s end for on-boarding?
During our on-boarding process, we request the client to share the following:
► First, to know how the client’s business is structured, we usually need incorporation documents and/or previous year’s tax returns.
► For accounting and bookkeeping tasks, standard requirements include bank and credit cards statements, bills, invoices and receipts for the period under review.
► Access to software and utilities necessary to carry out the project.
► Any SOPs or training on specific processes, if required.
► Any agreements outlining the scope of work and proposed terms, if required.
Benefits of Choosing Mercurius
What will be the mode of communication?
We are open to all modes of written as well as audio-visual communication. These include emails as well as popular communication platforms such as Skype, Slack, Basecamp, Microsoft Teams, Telegram, Google Meet, Zoom and WhatsApp. We will be happy to use any other platform preferred by the client.
What makes you a better option than other agencies / Why should we hire an agency instead of a freelancer?
Working with us comes with remarkable benefits:
► Industry-specific accounting & tax experts.
► Comprehensive business support under one roof.
► Tailored solutions for unique needs.
► Scalable services for business growth.
► Single point of contact (SPOC).
► Transparent processes & weekly updates.
► 24-hour turnaround time
► Process-driven approach for quality & timely delivery.
Certification & Alliances
Can you list your certifications and alliances?
Some of our certifications and alliances are mentioned below:
► ISO 9001: Quality management systems
► ISO 27001: Information security management systems
► IRS CAA: Certified Acceptance Agents (CAA) are authorized agents approved by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
► UTN (United Tax Network – An International Network that assures a company’s ability to provide cross-border tax solutions at par with international standards)
► TIAG (The International Accounting Group – An international alliance of independent accounting firms to foster international accounting networks),
► PCAOB (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board – Oversees the audits of public companies and other issuers to ensure reliable and accurate financial reporting),
► CPAB (Canadian Public Accountability Board – Canada’s independent, public accounting firm regulator that assesses their audit quality).
Still Got Questions?
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