Business consultancy firm brings accounting, GST, taxation and financial advisory services closer to local businesses
For businesses in Mokokchung, getting professional help with GST, taxation, accounting or financial documentation has often meant looking beyond Nagaland, particularly to Jorhat and Guwahati. That dependence on professionals outside the State was acknowledged by local business representatives as Bigmind Business Consultants opened its Mokokchung office at Longkumer Kilem on Tuesday.
Bendangnukshi Longkumer, proprietor of Longkumer Kilem, and Tsukti Longkumer, president of the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said businesses in the district have had to engage chartered accountants from outside the State, particularly since the introduction of GST.
Sosang Longkumer, consultant, Bigmind Business Consultants, said the lack of local access to professional advice was one of the reasons for establishing the office.
“Most of the consultations or business requirements, whenever they need those advisories, they usually go to a different State, like Jorhat or Guwahati,” he said.
He said having professionals available in Mokokchung would make it easier for businesses to discuss their financial requirements and follow up on matters without having to depend on professionals based outside the State.
The consultancy will provide services including GST and income tax filing, accounting, business registration, loan proposals, assistance with government schemes and financial planning.
Chartered Accountant Mrinmoy Pathak said the purpose was not only to help businesses comply with financial requirements but also to help owners understand the financial position of their own businesses.
A business owner may need to know how much the business has sold, how much GST is payable or how the business is performing financially, he said. The firm would help businesses put systems in place to make such information available when required.
The need for such services has also been recognised by the State Taxes Department.
I Mughato Aye, Deputy Commissioner of State Taxes, said such professional services were needed in Mokokchung, pointing out that Dimapur has a larger pool of chartered accountants. The tax department has also observed difficulties among people in the district in filing GST and income tax returns.
Bendangnukshi Longkumer said businesses had increasingly had to seek chartered accountants from Jorhat and Guwahati since GST was introduced.
PH Alexander, Branch Head of the Mokokchung branch, IDBI pointed to documentation as one of the difficulties businesses face when attempting to expand.
Pathak said basic advisory would be provided free of charge. Trade licence and Udyam registration, accounting and GST filing would generally cost between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000, while charges for preparing a Detailed Project Report would depend on the project cost.
Apart from businesses, the consultancy will also provide services to institutions such as schools, trusts and NGOs, including financial audits and financial management support.
Founded in 2020, Bigmind has chartered accountants and senior consultants working across its operations.
The consultancy’s professional team includes Chartered Accountants Mrinmoy Pathak and Bhargav Sharma, senior consultants Prasanta Barua and Biswajit Saikia, and Director Mandeep Dutta.
