You often hear a UK practice's view of offshoring but how about the view from the other side – the offshore team itself? Prakriti Singhal is an ACCA member and a Lead Analyst – Operations at R.E.P.R.E.S.E.N.T®, specialising in UK personal tax. 

R.E.P.R.E.S.E.N.T® operates various models from a job by job, part-time or full-time basis depending on the volume, frequency and type of work their clients require support for. Around 80% of R.E.P.R.E.S.E.N.T®'s UK practice clients have their team in India communicate directly with their own clients. This is typically rolled out based upon trust being built over the initial 3-month period.

From ACCA qualification to career progression

Prakriti's professional journey began after completing her A-levels (12th standard in India), when she set out to find a qualification with international recognition and long-term relevance. That search led her to ACCA.

After qualifying as an ACCA member, Prakriti entered the profession as an accountant in October 2022, building a strong foundation in UK personal tax compliance. Her consistent performance, technical capability, and commitment to quality led to her promotion to Lead Analyst – Operations in October 2025.

"This progression reflects not just experience, but the value of the ACCA qualification in supporting structured career growth and increased responsibility," she notes.

Although she does not currently manage a team, Prakriti plays a key role in supporting colleagues across operations by providing technical guidance and informal mentoring. Work is allocated through structured workflows based on case complexity, deadlines, and experience, and progress is monitored through regular status updates, internal reviews, and quality checks, with senior team members providing oversight to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulatory requirements. Timelines and deliverables are tracked against agreed schedules, and any issues or risks identified during the process are escalated promptly to ensure timely resolution.

Training, onboarding, and continuous learning

Prakriti was onboarded through a structured induction programme that included system training, process documentation, and supervised exposure to live UK client work that allowed her to understand the application of UK tax rules in real cases. All of this was supported by process documentation and hands-on system training to ensure consistency and accuracy in delivery.

Regular feedback helped reinforce best practices and ensure compliance with professional standards.

When a new UK practice comes onboard, there is a structured onboarding process that begins with gaining an understanding of the practice's service scope, operating procedures, quality standards, and compliance requirements. Access to systems and client data is provided in line with information security and confidentiality controls, and communication channels and escalation protocols are clearly defined. In addition, workflows, timelines, and reporting expectations are agreed to ensure alignment with the UK practice’s requirements. 

To stay current, she closely monitors updates to UK tax legislation and HMRC guidance and participates in internal technical discussions.

"Tax rules evolve constantly, so continuous learning is essential. Staying up to date ensures the work we deliver remains accurate, compliant, and aligned with best practice," she explains.

Cross-border collaboration

Working with UK practices requires careful planning and clear communication. Prakriti uses a combination of email and Microsoft Teams, with scheduled meetings and regular updates to maintain alignment.

"I'm very mindful of UK working hours. For non-urgent matters, I schedule emails to avoid disruption, and for urgent issues I clearly flag priorities," she says.

This approach supports respectful, efficient collaboration and helps build strong working relationships with UK colleagues.

Client engagement and professional communication

Unlike some offshore setups, Prakati also interacts directly with clients of UK practices when required, particularly to clarify queries, obtain information, or provide progress updates. These interactions are conducted professionally and in line with agreed engagement protocols.

"UK clients value clear, concise, and structured communication. I focus on being factual, well-prepared, and confirming key points in writing to avoid misunderstandings," she explains.

While direct client engagement improves efficiency and builds trust, it also requires strong ethical awareness, cultural sensitivity, and coordination with the wider UK practice.

Delivering UK personal tax services

"My role involves analysing complex income streams such as capital gains, foreign income, and investments, and ensuring that every return is prepared accurately and in line with UK tax legislation and HMRC guidance," she explains.

On a day-to-day basis, Prakriti prepares and reviews UK Self-Assessment tax returns, including employment income, rental income, investments, and capital gains. She also handles P11D filings and 60-day CGT returns, supports HMRC queries, and assists with deadline tracking and quality checks.

One standout example of collaboration came during a peak Self-Assessment period involving a complex case with multiple income sources including rental income from multiple properties, with incomplete information submitted. Prakriti worked closely with the UK practice to clarify missing details, cross-check figures, and ensure all reliefs and allowances were correctly applied.

"By maintaining daily communication with the UK practice and proactively flagging issues, we were able to complete the return accurately and on time," she recalls.

The benefits for UK practices

UK practices value Prakriti's ability to work independently while remaining closely aligned with their processes and quality standards. Her proactive communication, technical competence, and attention to detail help ensure smooth delivery, particularly during busy periods.

"There's often a misconception that outsourced teams are less reliable. In reality, with clear processes and communication, outsourced professionals can deliver highly specialised, consistent, and compliant work," she says.

Another misconception is that outsourcing leads to delays or misalignment. Effective collaboration, regular updates, and structured workflows ensure that outsourced teams meet deadlines and adhere to UK standards.

"Addressing these misconceptions requires open communication, trust, and clear processes, which allow UK practices to leverage the full benefits of outsourcing while maintaining high-quality, compliant work."