Advisory is the new standard
Advisory services are almost universal, with 93% of firms now offering advisory services as a key offering, according to the Future Ready Accountant Report. Key technology advances, such as generative AI and agentic workflows, are transforming the way firms work by helping them save time and provide better customer service.
Accounting firms already have the tax and client data they need to generate advisory revenue, but that information alone isn’t enough. They need visibility, prioritization, and guidance to consistently turn these findings into billable advisory services.
Disconnected systems hide growth opportunities
Successful advisory is no longer fueled by an individual’s intuition; it depends on structured insight.
When potential areas of advancement go amiss, staff members miss the high-value opportunities their clients depend on them to find.
Common barriers include:
- A lack of skilled personnel
- System integration complexity
- Complications with processing analytics
Firm-wide visibility
Visibility is key. Firms need access to information quickly so they can manage their advisory workflows, all from one place.
With a firm-wide dashboard, firms have access to a consolidated, filterable view of all advisory services. This feature removes the common bottleneck accounting firms experience, where some staff members provide higher-value advisory services than others, as a firm-wide dashboard gives all employees access to the same information.
Client-level insights for better advisory
When each client’s information is stored in an easy-to-find way, firms have the visibility to provide the personalized service they need. Staff members have the power to review advisory services for a specific client, such as their previous year’s tax savings. All recommendations are made based on relevant CCH Axcess Tax return data.
Enablement is key
Technology enables readiness, and a firm that embraces it has the ability to meet the level of service today’s clients expect.
Real-time data supports proactive, personalized engagement.
To provide optimal advisory services, firms need to have a clear understanding of each client’s unique situation. Impact scores identify potential dollar implications, powered by insights already collected through tax return data.
Employees are then able to review each calculation in detail and change values to explore different scenarios.
These guided workflows give staff members a clear, repeatable path for delivering consistent, high-quality advisory services. These processes are based on best practices, ensuring that every client receives the same quality of service.
