ICAN concludes London mission, debuts at Accountex 2026 and Finance Director Show

LALITPUR: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN) concluded a high-level mission to London, marking its debut corporate exhibition at Accountex London 2026 and the Finance Director Show 2026. 

The initiative was part of the Institute’s Global Accounting Initiative in Nepal (GAIN) project, aimed at branding Nepal as a competitive destination for international accounting and financial services outsourcing.

At ExCeL London on May 13-14, ICAN engaged with more than 16,000 delegates, 300 exhibitors and participants in 240 professional sessions. The delegation drew interest from global practitioners and regulators, generating technical inquiries and commercial prospects. Insights from the summit indicated strong potential for Nepali accounting service exports, provided operations expand, technical expertise improves, and governance and data security standards are met.

A specialised conference hosted by the Embassy of Nepal in the UK on May 15 was a key highlight. Titled 'UK-Nepal Collaboration: Prospects of Investments and Accounting Outsourcing,' the event brought together corporate leaders, regulators and professionals. Addresses were delivered by dignitaries including Bipin Duwadi, Acting Ambassador of Nepal to the UK, and Indy Singh Hothi, Past President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS). Technical presentations by ICAN Vice-President Ananda Raj Sharma Wagle and Saroj Sapkota outlined the fiscal benefits and viability of offshoring to Nepal. A panel discussion followed, featuring UK and Nepalese accounting experts.

The mission also included bilateral meetings with global accounting organisations and diaspora networks. On May 13, ICAN met the Nepalese Accountants Association United Kingdom (NAA UK) to discuss outsourcing opportunities. On May 14, delegates held talks with Clare Lindridge, Director of Policy and Insights at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), focusing on pathway agreements and professional development. On May 18, ICAN met Alan Vallance, CEO of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), to discuss renewing recognition agreements and acknowledged ICAEW’s support in curriculum development.

ICAN said the mission has been crucial in advancing Nepal’s accounting profession and branding the country as an emerging outsourcing hub. The Institute projected that these engagements will deliver long-term value to members and contribute to Nepal’s economy through service exports. It reaffirmed its commitment to policy reforms, international software adoption and regulatory optimisation to convert global interest into sustainable foreign currency inflows and domestic employment opportunities.