ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews what clients can expect of enlightened firms: consolidation of the sector, market development, competition regulation and technological advances, the impact of globalisation, based partly on discussions with leaders of professional services firms. Consolidation is particularly prevalent in larger accounting firms wishing to grow their member networks and mid-sized law firms, especially those aiming to fill regional gaps in coverage of their services. It will lower the barriers to entry for the mid-tier firms who have the capability to deal with the complexities of the larger corporations that usually select the larger accounting firms. It is important to understand that some clients prefer to receive their information by email, others in hard copy and others through digitised content in articles, magazines and social networks. This chapter has shown that professional services firms face challenging times ahead, as by their very nature they are dealing with a more dynamic, highly connected marketplace than in the past.
