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US companies in Vietnam: tax, accounting, and CFO advisory

Vietnam-side accounting, tax, payroll, transfer pricing, and CFO advisory for US-headquartered companies. SOX-ready controls, USD reporting.

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Overview

US companies are increasingly using Vietnam as a regional operations hub. We provide Vietnam-side accounting, tax, payroll, transfer pricing, and CFO advisory to US parents. Our team is familiar with the absence of a US-Vietnam tax treaty, SOX control expectations, and USD reporting frameworks.

Who needs this service

  • US-headquartered companies with Vietnam operations
  • US SMEs expanding into Vietnam
  • US holding companies with Vietnamese subsidiaries

Legal requirements

Vietnamese Accounting System (VAS)

Vietnam entities must maintain books under VAS and file statutory financial statements in Vietnamese.

No US-Vietnam tax treaty

Standard Vietnamese rates apply. Structure and substance are critical.

Group reporting

US parents typically expect monthly management accounts in USD, quarterly consolidation, and the annual audit.

Pricing

Indicative fees

ItemFee
US client monthly compliancefrom USD 1,500 / month
SOX controls and documentationfrom USD 2,000 / month

Fees are indicative and depend on transaction volume, complexity, and reporting requirements. Request a tailored proposal.

Timeline

Typical engagement timeline

Phase 1 · Week 1–4

Setup

Vietnam entity setup, group chart of accounts, SOX controls, USD reporting framework.

Phase 2 · From month 2

Steady state

Monthly close, group reporting, SOX documentation, audit support.

Watch out

Common mistakes we help you avoid

  • 01Treating the Vietnam entity as a full-risk distributor when a limited-risk model is more appropriate (especially without a tax treaty)
  • 02Missing the VAS-to-US-GAAP / IFRS reconciliation
  • 03Failing to document the inter-company services with a benefit test
  • 04Not implementing SOX controls from day one
Why us

What you get

SOX-ready controls

Internal controls and documentation aligned with SOX expectations. We support the parent's SOX audit.

USD reporting

Monthly management accounts in USD, with the FX gain/loss reconciled to the parent's reporting framework.

FCPA-aligned books

Books and records that support FCPA compliance. We help maintain the documentation.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the typical Vietnam setup for a US company?
US companies typically set up a sales subsidiary or a regional engineering centre. The subsidiary is 100%-foreign-owned. US companies often have a regional CFO overseeing multiple Asian entities, and the Vietnam entity reports into that structure.
How is the US-Vietnam tax treaty applied?
Vietnam and the US do not have a comprehensive tax treaty. The standard Vietnamese rates apply: 0% withholding on dividends to a US corporate parent (under Vietnamese domestic law), 5% FCT on royalties, 10% on interest. The absence of a treaty makes structure and substance critical.
How is FCPA and anti-bribery compliance handled in Vietnam?
Vietnam has anti-bribery laws and accounting-record-keeping requirements that align broadly with FCPA expectations. We help clients maintain adequate books and records, document third-party engagements, and provide training.
What reporting does a US parent expect for SOX compliance?
US parents subject to SOX expect: documented internal controls, audit-trail evidence, segregation-of-duties review, IT general controls review, and management certifications. We provide the working papers and controls evidence to support the parent's SOX audit.
Get Started

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Free 30-minute consultation. We'll review your situation and outline a fixed-fee engagement.

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