results at a glance

"There is a growing need for accountants to provide a proactive service which highlights changes in tax legislation"

Respondents were asked to rate the level of importance their firm is likely to attach to each of the services listed in figure 1, with '5' equalling very important and '1' unimportant.

The graph compares the results for 1995 and 1996 and these indicate a strong correlation between the rating for the two years.

In both years the two services that law firms expect to be the most important they will receive over the next three years are 'financial advice for the firm' and 'partnership tax advice'.

Some of the management consultancy services have become more important, particularly IT and business planning, both of which have moved ahead of marketing and quality.

Other service areas that have shown an increase in their mean scores from 1995 to 1996 are PRP, litigation support, partnership tax, VAT advice and financial advice for the firm.

Figures 2 and 3 show the top six services likely to be the most important over the next five years.

Management consultancy services, such as business planning , It and marketing advice have remained important for lawyers.

IT, in particular, has shown a substantial increase, while quality has again declined in importance.



For a free copy of the report, contact Margaret Feeney at Baker Tilley on 0171 413 5100.