Chinese is not required: the accountant speaks English, which is sufficient for all communication, from reporting to banking. The only meeting where Chinese is spoken is the visit to the tax office during registration, where a partner provides assistance.
Direct communication with the accountant in English
- all questions regarding taxes, declarations, and expenses are handled directly, without intermediaries
- documents are submitted electronically: photos of fapiao, contracts, and bank statements
- the accountant handles routine communication with the tax office and the bank; most inquiries never reach the seller
- cost of support — what is included in the service
With officials
There is almost no direct communication with officials. The visit to the tax office during registration is accompanied: the partner translates, and the inspector processes the documents — the applicant only needs to provide a signature and a stamp following the "signature → stamp → verification" cycle. An on-site office inspection, if it occurs, is also the partner's responsibility: the lease agreement and the sign on the door resolve the issue.
With the bank
- account opening is handled with the accountant's assistance: document preparation and identification
- bank inquiries about the source of funds are a standard procedure; answer specifically: e-commerce sales, attach reports
- operations in secondary banks are conducted in person at the branch or via power of attorney through the accountant
Three rules to save your nerves
- any document for signature must first be checked by the accountant
- do not sign anything that has not been translated and explained
- silence from authorities is normal: checks proceed without status notifications, and the result arrives on its own
Frequently asked questions
How fluent does my English need to be?
Correspondence level is sufficient: terms are repetitive (fapiao, declaration, commission), and complex phrasing is not required. Voice calls are rare; the main channel is a messenger.
Which messenger is used to communicate with the accountant?
WeChat is the standard for business correspondence in China. It is also used for transferring documents: photos of fapiao and statements are sent directly to the chat.
What to do in case of disagreements with the accountant?
Ask for a regulatory justification: Chinese accountants work strictly according to tax office instructions. Disputed situations are usually resolved by citing a rule rather than through negotiation.
Do I need to speak Chinese to communicate with my accountant?
No, Chinese is not required because the accountant speaks English. All communication regarding taxes, declarations, and expenses is handled directly in English.
How do I submit my financial documents like fapiao and contracts?
You can submit documents electronically by sending photos of fapiao, contracts, and bank statements directly to your accountant via WeChat.
Will I have to talk to tax officials or bank representatives myself?
Most inquiries are handled by the accountant, and you will have almost no direct communication with officials. If you visit the tax office for registration, a partner will accompany you to provide translation assistance.
What should I do if I receive a document to sign?
You must have any document checked by your accountant before signing it. Never sign anything that has not been translated and explained to you.