I've just come across this Website  www.accountantsquoteme.co.uk  and I can't believe how poor the design and concept is. There is an opportunity to challenge value but not by just focussing on price.

By the way, I noticed the title tag on the homepage "Compare Cheap Accountant Quotes to find the Cheapest Accountants Quote - is that really the clients you want to act for? Here's a video that I thought of when thinking of price.

Price is only part of the value equation and this site does nothing to move the professional forward. Try it offering a guarantee that you're the cheapest accountant in the town. Do a mailshot or telemarketing campaign and see what happens. 

The other approach is to set you a survey Website which accountants could use to survey their clients, including comments about the price.  This could be "sponsored" by your firm so you could invite non-clients to participate! Interested?

Many accountants I speak to are surprised to discover that there are over 23,000 legal entities supplying accountancy services in the UK and 55% have an annual turnover below £100,000.  Is this because they are happy running a micro business or do they not know how to grow their business?

The forecasts from economic commentators such as the Henley Centre predict that there will be an increase in small businesses which is a great opportunity.  But, at the same time a number of factors may contribute to overcapacity in the accountancy profession including:

•  Increasing use of computerisation
•  Better software
•  Simplification of reporting
•  Increase in the number of accountancy firms
•  Bookkeepers moving into Self-Assessment work

Firms are responding by broadening their range of services.  This included higher level services such as more sophisticated and agressive tax planning, personal financial services, business advice as well as basic services like bookkeeping and Tax Credit claims.  Some firms are developing service specialisms while other target specific industries. 

Interestingly, the smaller firm will have 90% of sales from compliance services whereas larger firms may have 50% plus from management consultancy.

The answer (if you want to grow) is to specialise and/or widen your service range.  The phrase we like offer a wider range of solutions based on a deeper understanding of clients business. This goes down well because what the Sage Accountant Business Collaboration survey found was that business owners value most is an accountant that understands them.