In recent years, the concept of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) has undergone a major transformation, especially in Nepal. Traditionally, BPO meant outsourcing routine, low-skill tasks—such as data entry, basic accounting, or call handling—to overseas teams at a lower cost. However, at AGK Partners Nepal, we’ve adopted a very different model—one that prioritizes quality over cost, and talent over task volume. This shift has allowed us to build a truly global, high-performance advisory firm with deep roots in both the UK and Nepal.
AGK Partners Nepal: A global firm with local strength
AGK Partners Nepal is a UK-based firm of chartered accountants with a strong reputation for providing both compliance and advisory services. While we offer traditional services like accounts preparation, auditing, and tax return filings, our firm has carved out a competitive edge through high-value business and tax advisory. This is where our Nepal office plays a vital role.
Today, we have 50 professionals in London working across two offices and 85 highly skilled staff in Nepal. Our team in Nepal has been central to maintaining the high standards that our global clients expect from us. When we first entered Nepal over ten years ago, we started with just five employees. What we found was a rich pool of talent—smart, hardworking individuals with a strong commitment to professional excellence. That discovery changed everything.
Moving beyond traditional BPO
Unlike traditional outsourcing models that focus on cost-cutting and routine processing, our approach is different. We didn’t come to Nepal just to save money—we came to build capability. And over the past decade, we’ve built a world-class team with skills that often exceed what we can find in the UK.
In fact, some technical capabilities we’ve developed in Nepal are not available even in our London offices. Of course, there are areas where our UK team excels and complements the Nepal team. But in areas where the Nepal team leads, we rely on them fully. This symbiotic model has powered our rapid growth in both countries.
The Nepal advantage
In the UK, accountancy is no longer the first-choice profession for many, and the competition for top talent is intense—especially given the dominance of larger firms. In Nepal, however, we found ourselves at the top of the “picking order,” attracting top-tier candidates with not only strong academic credentials but also unmatched dedication and commitment.
As we shared our Nepal journey with other UK firms and clients, interest in Nepal as a quality BPO destination has grown. Many firms who tried to scale operations in India have struggled, given how mature and competitive that market is. Nepal, by contrast, offers an emerging opportunity with immense potential. We expect Nepal’s BPO sector to grow exponentially in the next 2–5 years, as more firms recognize the quality of talent available here.
ACCA and the future of BPO in Nepal
One of the biggest strengths of Nepal’s BPO sector is the presence of globally recognized qualifications like ACCA. Since ACCA is a UK-based qualification, it provides a strong foundation in international accounting and tax standards, especially UK regulations. Many ACCA students in Nepal take the UK variant of the qualification, making them ideal candidates for international firms like ours.
As the sector matures, the demand will shift toward more complex and high-value work. This means professionals must develop strong technical depth, critical thinking, and client service skills—qualities that AI cannot yet replicate. ACCA-qualified professionals are particularly well-positioned to take advantage of this shift.
AI will transform—but not replace—BPO
There’s ongoing debate about whether artificial intelligence will reduce outsourcing. In our experience, the opposite is true. AI is changing what we do, not replacing who does it. Routine tasks may be automated, but this only increases the demand for professionals with deeper analytical, strategic, and interpersonal skills.
At AGK Partners Nepal, we see AI as a powerful tool that enhances our work. It allows us to focus more on complex problem-solving and client engagement—areas where human intelligence still outperforms machines. The firms and professionals who understand this shift and prepare for it will lead the next phase of the BPO revolution.
Looking ahead
Nepal’s BPO journey is just beginning. There are certainly some administrative and regulatory hurdles—like foreign direct investment (FDI) rules and company registration procedures—but these are gradually improving. I firmly believe that as progress comes, the system will evolve too.
To those looking to enter the BPO sector or considering outsourcing their business operations to Nepal, my message is clear: focus on quality, not cost. Cost-focused models will struggle to survive as AI advances and client expectations rise. But quality-focused firms, especially those tapping into Nepal’s exceptional talent pool, will thrive.
Nepal is no longer just an outsourcing destination—it is becoming a trusted hub for global professional services.
Sapkota is a partner at AGK Partners Nepal.
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