About Us

POLALI DIVAKAR RAO

Partner | Audit, Assurance & Litigation

Mr. Polali Divakar Rao is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) with over 39 years of professional experience across audit, assurance, litigation, and financial advisory services. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is certified in DISA (ICAI). His professional qualifications are further complemented by the Certification on Central Depository Examination conducted by the BSE Training Institute, Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd., as well as specialized training in Public Finance and the Double Entry System of Bookkeeping for Municipal Corporations.

With extensive experience in audit and litigation, Mr. Divakar has advised and served a diverse portfolio of clients, including government and non-government organizations, listed companies, public limited companies, high-net-worth private companies, foreign subsidiaries, and nationalized and cooperative banks. His experience includes statutory audits of listed entities, banks, general insurance companies, and not-for-profit organizations, together with specialized assignments involving utilization audits of government funds and fund-based financial statements.

Throughout his career, he has handled complex statutory and specialized audit assignments involving demanding regulatory, compliance, and reporting requirements. His strong technical foundation and extensive practical experience enable him to provide considered professional judgment and effective solutions to complex financial and regulatory matters.

Beyond his professional engagements, Mr. Divakar has been actively involved in training and capacity building. He has conducted in-house training for Gram Panchayats on accounting, bookkeeping, and legal compliance, and has organized and delivered programs covering project bookkeeping, accounting procedures, transparency, and documentation.

As a senior leader of the firm, Mr. Divakar brings a practical, holistic, and solution-oriented approach to every engagement. His extensive experience, technical expertise, and commitment to professional excellence enable the firm to confidently undertake complex assignments while upholding the highest standards of integrity, quality, and professional ethics.

ASHWIN D RAO

Partner | Taxation, Advisory & GST

Mr. Ashwin D Rao is an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) with over a decade of professional experience across taxation, assurance, advisory, and regulatory matters. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and brings a strong foundation in professional practice, technical analysis, and client service to his role at Divakara & Associates.

Mr. Ashwin specializes in assurance, direct taxation, transfer pricing, litigation, and advisory services. He has extensive hands-on experience working with multinational and domestic clients and has assisted organizations in establishing and structuring business operations in India, addressing both commercial and regulatory considerations.

He has played a significant role in advising clients on the implementation and implications of Goods and Services Tax (GST), with experience spanning GST advisory, compliance, and audits across diverse industries. He is also actively involved in professional forums and seminars, where he shares practical insights on GST developments and emerging tax and regulatory matters.

Mr. Ashwin is recognized for his analytical approach, client-focused mindset, and ability to deliver practical solutions to complex tax and regulatory matters. His contemporary expertise strengthens the established capabilities of Divakara & Associates, supporting the firm's ability to provide comprehensive, end-to-end professional advisory services.

Key Credentials and Professional Experience

• Tax audits of large corporations across manufacturing, IT/ITES, and export-oriented industries
• Internal and statutory audits of government companies
• Advisory on arm's length pricing of AMP expenses for globally recognized brands
• Issuance of opinions on capital gains arising from the indirect transfer of shares for multinational entities
• Advisory on permanent establishment and cross-border tax implications for projects undertaken in India by US government-backed corporations
• Advisory on establishing and structuring SEZ operations in India
• Advisory on restructuring and reconstruction under Section 10AA of the Income-tax Act, 1961
• Representation before appellate authorities, including CIT (Appeals) and ITAT
• Conduct of GST seminars and advisory on GST implementation and compliance
• Execution of special audits and complex multidisciplinary assignments, including coordination with stakeholders and serving as a single point of contact for clients
• Advisory on family trusts, estate planning, and related structuring