General Guides
Regional Guides
Starter GuidesSet Up, Manage, and Grow Your Business in China
From incorporation to accounting, payroll to compliance — our 56 local experts handle the complexity so you can focus on growth. Trusted by 1,500+ companies since 2011.
Free 30-min consultation · No commitment required
Trusted by 1500+ Companies
Your China Experts
On-the-Ground Experts Who Understand Your Business
Navigating China’s regulatory landscape takes more than research — it takes local presence. Our team of 56 experts, based across China, provides hands-on guidance on incorporation, accounting, tax, payroll, and compliance. Every recommendation is tailored to your industry, entity type, and growth stage.
Why 1,500+ Companies Trust MSA Asia in China
Whether you’re entering China for the first time or scaling existing operations, our team helps you move faster and stay compliant.
15+ Years in China
Established in 2011 — one of the longest-standing foreign business service firms in China.
56+ Local Experts
Finance, HR, and legal professionals based across mainland China for hands-on support.
100+ Cities Covered
Local regulatory knowledge and on-site support in every major Chinese business hub.
SERVICES
Everything You Need
to Operate in China
Company Incorporation
Set up your WFOE, Joint Venture, or Representative Office with full regulatory compliance across all Chinese cities and provinces.
- Registration support in all cities and provinces
- Selection of Chinese name
- Business license within 2 weeks
- Preparation and advisory on required documents
- Support with registered capital
- Advisory on registered personnel
Fast Turnaround
Business license secured in as little as 2 weeks with expedited government processing.
All Entity Types
WFOE, Joint Venture, Rep Office, or Partnership - we guide you to the right structure.
Nationwide Coverage
Local expertise across Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and 30+ cities.
Full Compliance
Every filing, seal, and registration handled - bank accounts, tax bureau, customs, and more.
Accounting & Bookkeeping
China-compliant financial reporting and bookkeeping managed by our bilingual team - delivered monthly with full transparency.
- Monthly bookkeeping in Chinese GAAP
- Financial statements & management reports
- Bank reconciliation & cash flow monitoring
- Statutory audit coordination
- Bilingual reporting (EN/CN)
Cloud-Based Platform
Access your books and reports anytime through our secure online portal.
Dedicated Team
A named accountant who knows your business - not a rotating desk.
Audit-Ready
Books maintained to statutory standards - seamless annual audit every time.
HQ Integration
Reports formatted for your parent company's consolidation and IFRS requirements.
Tax Compliance & Planning
Navigate China's tax landscape with confidence. From monthly filings to annual settlement, we keep you compliant and optimized.
- Monthly & annual tax filings (VAT, CIT, IIT)
- Transfer pricing advisory
- Tax incentive & subsidy applications
- Annual CIT settlement & reconciliation
- Cross-border tax structuring
Zero-Penalty Track Record
Rigorous compliance processes that keep your company penalty-free.
Tax Optimization
Leverage Free Trade Zones, high-tech incentives, and treaty benefits to reduce your effective rate.
Fapiao Management
Full invoice (fapiao) issuance, verification, and management handled for you.
Double Tax Treaties
Expert guidance on applying China's 100+ tax treaty network for withholding tax reductions.
Payroll & Social Insurance
Compliant payroll processing, IIT withholding, and social insurance contributions across all your China employees.
- Monthly payroll calculation & disbursement
- IIT filing & year-end reconciliation
- Social insurance & housing fund management
- Payslip generation (EN/CN)
- Leave & expense tracking support
On-Time, Every Time
Payroll processed and disbursed on your chosen pay date - no delays.
Data Security
Confidential employee data handled with enterprise-grade encryption and strict access controls.
Multi-City Compliance
Social insurance rates vary by city - we track every local policy so you don't have to.
Employee Hotline
Bilingual support line for your staff's payroll and benefits questions.
Employer of Record
Hire employees in China without setting up an entity. We act as the legal employer while you manage the day-to-day work.
- Hire in China without a local entity
- Compliant employment contracts
- Payroll, tax & social insurance handled
- Work permit & visa support
- Onboarding & offboarding management
Start Hiring in Days
No entity required - onboard your first China employee within 1-2 weeks.
Full Legal Protection
MSA Asia assumes employment liability - contracts, disputes, and termination handled compliantly.
IP Protection
Employment contracts include robust IP assignment and non-compete clauses.
Flexible Conversion
Transition seamlessly from EOR to your own entity when you're ready to scale.
Profit Distribution
Repatriate profits from China compliantly and efficiently - including dividend processing, tax treaty application, and foreign exchange settlement.
- Dividend declaration & distribution
- Withholding tax optimization
- SAFE foreign exchange filings
- Annual audit for profit repatriation
- Tax treaty benefit applications
Maximize Returns
Structure distributions to minimize withholding tax using applicable treaty rates.
Full Documentation
Board resolutions, audit reports, and SAFE filings - all prepared and filed for you.
Streamlined Process
From audit completion to funds in your overseas account - managed end-to-end.
Regulatory Compliance
Navigate SAFE, tax bureau, and bank requirements without missteps.
Company Liquidation
Close your China entity properly - with full deregistration across tax, customs, bank, and commerce bureaus.
- Tax clearance & final audit
- Employee termination support
- Deregistration from all government bureaus
- Bank account closure & fund repatriation
- Customs & foreign exchange deregistration
Timeline Management
Liquidation in China takes 6-12 months - we keep every step on track.
Employee Compliance
Severance calculations, notice periods, and social insurance handled per labor law.
Clean Exit
Full deregistration certificate - no lingering liabilities or government obligations.
Asset Recovery
Remaining capital and retained earnings repatriated to your overseas account.
Multilingual Team
Support in Your Language
Our international team speaks your language — literally. Get expert guidance on China business in English, German, Dutch, French, and Mandarin Chinese.
EN
DE
FR
ZH EN
EN DE
NL
EN DE
ZH EN
ZH EN
ZH EN
NL ENCoverage Across Asia-Pacific
Local teams and registered entities in 9 markets across the Asia-Pacific region. One partner for your entire APAC presence.
CLIENT RESULTS
Trusted by Finance Leaders Across Industries
China Easy Business Incorporation
MSA is one of the most customer friendly incorporation firms in China. They took the time to understand our business and key objectives, then tailored the whole incorporation process accordingly.
Can Highly Recommend MSA!
MSA has been outstanding in providing comprehensive EOR services. Their team is incredibly knowledgeable about local employment laws and regulations, ensuring full compliance at all times.
Positive Experiences with MSA Throughout Whole Process
MSA was great to work with during the process of setting up our representative office in Shanghai. They were always responsive, clearly explained all required steps, and kept us on schedule.
Excellent Service for Company Incorporation and Compliance
We needed to set up a WFOE in China quickly to meet an important client deadline. MSA handled the entire process from start to finish, including registration, bank account setup, and initial compliance.
Help with Tax Matters in Malaysia
MSA's tax advisory team helped us navigate a complex cross-border tax situation between China and Malaysia. Their advice was practical and always tailored to our specific business structure.
Excellent Experience with MSA, 100% Recommended
From the very first consultation, MSA demonstrated deep expertise in Asia business services. They helped us restructure our regional operations for better tax efficiency.
Global Standards, China Know-How
We were looking for a partner that understood both international standards and local Chinese business practices. MSA turned out to be exactly that kind of partner.
Entering HK and China First via EOR Then Setting Up Our Subsidiary
MSA helped us enter the Chinese and Hong Kong markets quickly through their EOR service, while simultaneously handling the full subsidiary setup process.
Our Experience with EOR Services Switching to MSA
Switching our EOR services to MSA was one of the best decisions we made. The transition was seamless, and we saw immediate improvements in both service quality and cost efficiency.
MSA Promised and Delivered Effortless Transition
When we decided to switch our accounting and compliance services to MSA, we were nervous about the transition. MSA made it completely stress-free with a clear migration plan.
We Did Payroll Optimization with MSA, Worked Like a Charm
Our payroll processes across multiple Asian entities were fragmented and inefficient. MSA consolidated everything into a streamlined system that reduced errors significantly.
Tax Declaration and Accounting Support, + IFRS Reporting
MSA handles all our tax declarations and accounting in China with exceptional accuracy. Their team also provides IFRS-compliant reporting which simplifies our global consolidation.
MSA Onboarded Our Team via PEO: Can Recommend Absolutely!
We needed to quickly onboard a team of 5 engineers in China without having a local entity. MSA's PEO solution was perfect — fully compliant and operational within 2 weeks.
Our Go-To Partner for Solving Tax and Cashflow Issues
MSA has been our go-to partner whenever we face tax or cashflow challenges in China. Their proactive approach means they often identify issues before they become problems.
Dedicated Service Solving Issues
What stands out about MSA is their dedicated approach to problem-solving. When we had a complex visa issue for one of our employees, they worked tirelessly until it was resolved.
Tax Optimisation in China
MSA's tax optimization strategies saved our company a significant amount in our China operations. Their team identified several tax incentives we were eligible for but hadn't been claiming.
Cost Savings Through Accounting- and Tax Restructuring
We engaged MSA to review our accounting and tax structure in China. Their recommendations led to substantial cost savings while keeping us fully compliant with local regulations.
Nanjing Company Incorporation
Setting up our company in Nanjing was made straightforward by MSA. They handled all the local government interactions, documentation, and registration processes efficiently.
We Liquidated One of Our Subsidiaries in China with MSA
Liquidating a Chinese subsidiary is notoriously complex. MSA managed the entire process professionally, handling tax clearances, employee settlements, and deregistration.
Excellent Help with Setting Up WFOE in Shanghai
MSA provided excellent support throughout our WFOE setup in Shanghai. They were transparent about timelines, costs, and requirements from the very beginning.
Establishment of Our RO with Guidance of MSA
We wanted to explore the Chinese market but were not ready to set up a full company. MSA guided us in making the right choice based on our company's activities and goals.
MSA Went Far and Beyond During Our WFOE Set-Up in China
Interest, response time, diverse cultural backgrounds, and assistance in different languages made our WFOE setup experience exceptional.
MSA Set Up Our WFOE in Shanghai and Works from Our Accounting System
Clear advice and instructions during the setup. And the ability to work in our accounting environment, so we can easily consolidate the financials at headquarters level.
MSA Helped Setting Up Our Subsidiary in China
We saw business opportunities in China and were debating whether to set up a company. Due to the excellent guidance of MSA we were able to successfully establish our subsidiary.
Our Go-To for China Tax Issues and Support
Responsive and proactive team that listens to our issues and comes with practical and quick solutions.
Great Support Setting Up WFOE in Beijing
Ability to speak Dutch, clear and fast communication, and guidance and advice along the way made the process smooth.
Great Backoffice Support
They require very little input from our side, but if we need some clarifications, they are quick to respond.
Fast and Easy Entry to China
Communication was very fast and easy, services clearly communicated. MSA made our market entry straightforward.
Starting Our JV in China with the Support of MSA
Knowledge, responsiveness, and cultural understanding made MSA an invaluable partner for our joint venture setup.
Great Partner to Complement Our Own Service Portfolio
They add value to our customers while respecting that we are the primary contact for them.
Great Assistance During Company Incorporation in China!
Professional expertise and English proficiency made the entire incorporation process smooth and efficient.
Great Support in China
They cover also smaller cities in China, providing excellent support regardless of location.