What Are the Best Cities in India to Hire Accountants for a GCC?

If you’re planning to scale your Global Capability Center (GCC) in India, you’re probably facing the same friction hundreds of companies do when they reach the finance hiring stage.

You’ve figured out your legal structure. You’ve selected your location. Maybe even signed that shiny lease in a high-rise business park.

But now comes the real operational lift, how do you hire your accountant and finance team quickly, compliantly, and without compromising quality?

This is where many companies, both mid-size firms and global MNCs, get stuck.

They don’t know which cities have the strongest talent pool. They aren’t sure if they should go for full-time hires, project-based contractors, or build remote teams from day one. They often fall into a trap of relying solely on job portals that don’t deliver qualified or interview-ready candidates.

I’ve worked with companies just like yours. In fact, at Exlcareer, we’ve helped firms across the U.S., Europe, Singapore, and Australia hire accountants in India, whether for FP&A roles, audit and compliance, Big 4-aligned positions, or cost accountants embedded into operations.

So if you’re wondering what’s the best city in India to hire accountants for your GCC, you’re not alone. And you’re in the right place.

Let’s break it down city by city.

First, Why Your Finance Team in India Needs to Be World-Class

Many companies expanding into India see accounting and finance as back-office support. That mindset can cost you.

Here’s the reality: your Indian finance team is your control tower. They aren’t just booking entries or tracking expenses.

They're:

• Ensuring tax compliance in a new jurisdiction

• Consolidating financials across geographies

• Handling intercompany transfer pricing

• Delivering cost insights and strategic planning to global HQ

• Managing payroll, statutory audits, and even investor readiness

And all of this, at the speed of digital transformation.

That’s why you can’t afford to treat hiring your first few accountants in India like an afterthought.

We’ve seen companies move finance roles to India and transform operations using cloud ERP tools like SAP, NetSuite, Zoho Books, Oracle Fusion, and analytics platforms like Power BI, Tableau, and Python for finance automation.

But here’s the deal, your tools are only as good as the people using them.

Want to hire accountants in India without wasting 3 months screening profiles? Reach out to us now

Mumbai: The Financial Capital That Never Sleeps

When you think finance in India, you think Mumbai.

Why? It’s the epicenter of India’s financial services industry. Home to the Reserve Bank of India, Bombay Stock Exchange, and countless investment banks, insurance companies, and Big 4 offices.

If your GCC has complex financial operations, such as:

• Treasury and cash flow management

• Risk & regulatory reporting

• Audit and investor relations

Then Mumbai offers access to senior accountants, financial controllers, and even CAs with fintech experience.

But here’s the caveat: Mumbai’s salary expectations are 20–30% higher than other cities. And retention is trickier because of fierce competition.

That’s why we often recommend clients to hire for strategic finance roles in Mumbai, but build transactional teams in cost-efficient cities like Pune or Coimbatore.

Also read : Looking to Hire Accountants for Your GCC in India? 7 Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make

Pune: Your Cost-Effective Finance Ops Hub

Just three hours from Mumbai, Pune has quietly become a top city for hiring accountants, especially for shared services, bookkeeping, payroll, and accounts payable/receivable.

The cost of hiring in Pune is 15–25% lower than Mumbai, and yet the talent quality remains high thanks to its education ecosystem.

We’ve helped SaaS and ecommerce companies build entire FP&A pods in Pune.

These teams now handle:

• Budgeting and forecasting in NetSuite

• Cross-border taxation

• Vendor reconciliation automation using Python scripts

And yes, Pune has a growing pool of semi-qualified CAs, CMA holders, and finance graduates comfortable with global processes.

If you’re looking for the best city to hire accountants in India for cost-optimization, Pune should be on your shortlist.

Bangalore: For Finance Teams Aligned to Tech & Startups

If your company is in technology, digital commerce, or SaaS, your Indian finance team will need to move at the same speed.

That’s why Bangalore makes sense for companies that want agile finance partners who understand:

• Subscription billing models

• Revenue recognition in ASC 606/IFRS 15

• Cost optimization using Python and SQL-based dashboards

• Partnering with product & engineering for cost-benefit analysis

Bangalore’s talent pool includes finance managers, cost accountants, and FP&A analysts who’ve worked in MNCs and startups alike.

We’ve helped one US-based cybersecurity firm hire an entire team of 5 finance specialists in Bangalore who now work in tandem with HQ for real-time forecasting, investor deck support, and monthly close automation.

Looking to set up your finance back-office in Bangalore or Pune? Start here.

Delhi NCR (Noida, Gurugram): The Compliance and Control Powerhouse

Delhi NCR offers access to some of the most process-oriented accountants in India.

Especially in Noida and Gurugram, where Big 4 firms, consulting companies, and MNCs have built strong teams.

You’ll find finance talent here skilled in:

• Intercompany accounting

• Statutory audit and tax compliance

• Internal control frameworks (SOX, ICFR)

• Automation using Power Query and Excel VBA

One of our clients, a European manufacturer expanding to India, hired their first three accountants in Gurugram through us. Within 6 months, those team members built:

• A localized chart of accounts

• Vendor onboarding workflows

• Automated compliance calendar for Indian taxation

If you’re building a GCC focused on robust financial governance, Noida and Gurugram are excellent cities to start.

Chennai: For Finance Talent in Manufacturing and Shared Services

Chennai is a hotbed for automotive, electronics, and energy sectors, so naturally it attracts finance professionals familiar with inventory costing, CAPEX tracking, and plant-level controls.

What makes Chennai particularly attractive for GCCs:

• Lower attrition rates

• Great English proficiency

• Steady supply of commerce grads and semi-qualified accountants

We’ve hired financial planning teams in Chennai that now support global operations across:

• Cost-benefit modeling for product launches

• Capex vs Opex forecasting

• Coordination with plant controllers using SAP S/4HANA

Hyderabad: The City of Analytics-Driven Accountants

Hyderabad may be known for tech, but it’s also emerged as a top city to hire accountants in India with strong data and analytics exposure.

From our experience, finance hires in Hyderabad bring a unique blend of accounting precision + automation mindset.

If your GCC needs:

• Data-heavy reconciliations

• Audit trails for global operations

• Python or SQL-based financial dashboards

Then, Hyderabad gives you that edge.

One of our clients recently hired a remote team of 4 accountants in Hyderabad who work on SAP data extraction and Power BI reporting for their FP&A head in Singapore.

Want accountants who can combine compliance with analytics? Talk to us today

Coimbatore: The Underrated Goldmine for Reliable Accountants

This city surprises many.

Coimbatore has been quietly producing disciplined, loyal, and highly process-driven accountants for over a decade. It’s not flashy, but if you need:

• Low-attrition finance staff

• Payroll and compliance back-office

• Budgeting support for India operations

Then, Coimbatore is worth serious consideration.

We’ve helped 4 clients from Australia and the UK build long-term finance support teams in Coimbatore. Some of these hires are now 5+ years into the role with zero attrition.

So, What’s the Best City to Hire Accountants for Your GCC in India?

The short answer: It depends on your GCC’s goals.

• For strategy and complexity: Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi NCR

• For cost-efficiency and execution: Pune, Coimbatore, Chennai

• For analytics and automation: Hyderabad

At Exlcareer, we don’t just share resumes. We work backwards from your expansion goals and build the right hiring plan by city, role, and ramp-up speed.

Whether you need 2 senior finance managers or a team of 15 accountants, we’ve done it for companies across 10+ industries and 5 countries. Start hiring accountants for your GCC with zero guesswork.

FAQs -

• What are the best cities in India to hire accountants for a GCC?

  Cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, and Gurugram are top choices. These metros offer a large pool of qualified accountants with Big 4 or MNC experience, especially for global capability centers (GCCs).

• Why is Hyderabad a top city for hiring finance and accounting talent?

  Hyderabad offers a cost-effective talent pool, strong presence of finance-focused MNCs, and excellent infrastructure for remote or hybrid GCC teams.

• Is it better to hire accountants in Tier 1 or Tier 2 cities in India?

  Tier 1 cities offer access to talent with stronger global exposure, but Tier 2 cities like Ahmedabad or Coimbatore offer better retention and cost savings. It depends on your hiring priorities, volume vs. specialization.

• How does Exlcareer help companies hire accountants across Indian cities?

  Exlcareer specializes in finance hiring for global teams, offering pre-vetted accountants from top cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune. We help you scale fast without compromising quality.

• What should GCCs look for when hiring accountants in India?

  Prioritize ERP expertise (SAP, Oracle), IFRS knowledge, and experience with cross-border reporting. Strong communication and Big 4 exposure are also key if you're hiring for global roles.

• How long does it take to hire a qualified accountant for a GCC in India?

  On average, 2–4 weeks with the right hiring partner. Exlcareer shortens this by giving you ready-to-interview candidates with relevant GCC experience.

• Which city offers the most cost-effective accounting hires for GCCs?

  Pune and Hyderabad often offer the best blend of cost, quality, and retention. Salaries are competitive, but lower than Bangalore or Mumbai, making them ideal for scaling.

• Are there specific cities better suited for hiring accountants with SAP skills?

  Yes, Bangalore, Pune, and Hyderabad have strong clusters of accountants with SAP FICO or Oracle Financials experience, especially those trained in shared service centers.

• Can I hire remote accountants from anywhere in India for my GCC?

  Absolutely. With Exlcareer, you can hire remote-ready, English-speaking accountants from across India. We handle background checks, skill assessments, and cultural fit.

• What industries dominate the accounting talent pool in major Indian cities?

  In cities like Bangalore and Mumbai, you’ll find talent from IT, BFSI, and consulting. Hyderabad and Pune have a strong mix of tech, pharma, and GBS (Global Business Services) talent.