Shifting to Advisory Services: A Profitable Business Model for Accounting Firms

Accounting firms are embracing a new business model as AI-powered tax technology takes over traditional tax compliance work. The shift towards advisory services is proving to be more profitable and engaging for both firms and clients.

Firms that have made the transition to advisory services are seeing significant gains, including a 133% increase in average first 12-month billing for new clients and a 113% increase in average monthly billing for existing clients. This shift in mindset involves recognizing the value of your knowledge and experience and moving towards a value pricing model.

By offering client advisory services, accounting firms can open up additional revenue streams, strengthen client relationships, and provide more meaningful services year-round. This shift can lead to a 25% increase in overall annual revenue within the first 12 months and an 80% increase in the number of clients on recurring billings.

AI-enabled tax technology not only streamlines tax prep workflow but also provides data-driven insights, predictive analytics, and assisted decision-making capabilities. This allows firms to become year-round strategic partners to their clients.

The move towards an advisory-based model is not only beneficial for firms but also for accountants who may have lost their passion for the profession. Firms that have shifted to advisory services report increases in client satisfaction, staff satisfaction, and the firm’s overall value.

Practice Forward offers tools and guidance to help accounting firms transition to an advisory services approach successfully. Through their implementation, firms can access over 160 tools, including proposal templates and pricing calculators, to help them redefine their business model and monetize the value of advisory services. Joining their Advisory Bootcamp and Partner Summit can provide valuable insights on how to make the shift towards advisory services and distinguish between value-added advisory services and compliance services.