How the Autumn Budget Could Push Accountants to Diversify

With the Autumn Budget fast approaching, speculation is building around where the Government might look for additional revenue. Included in the possibilities are changes to business taxation that could directly affect partnerships and limited liability firms.

If taxes on professional services do rise, accountancy firms and indeed, other professional services, could find themselves balancing the same financial pressures faced by the clients they advise.

The reality is that margins are already thin across much of the profession. Fee compression, growing regulatory demands and automation are reshaping what clients expect from their accountant. Compliance will always be the foundation, but on its own it is no longer enough to maintain profitability or long-term loyalty.

The accountants who succeed through this period of change will be those who look beyond a standard compliant service and find new ways to demonstrate value. The coming budget might make that shift more urgent. Higher costs and reduced incentives could place further strain on firms that depend heavily on traditional service lines. For many, the time to diversify is now.

At the same time, clients are looking for more than tax calculations and reporting. They want clarity, confidence and support that helps them make better financial decisions in uncertain times. Accountants are uniquely placed to meet that need. They already have the trust, the data and the understanding of clients’ financial lives that others do not. Expanding that role through new value-add services can deepen relationships and protect firms against market volatility.

Financial wellbeing is one area where this opportunity is clear. Clients are feeling the impact of higher living costs, business uncertainty and shifting financial priorities. Accountants can respond by offering tools and financial education that help individuals and business owners improve their financial understanding and confidence.

This is where the Lifetime Professional service comes in. Built on more than two decades of experience as an FCA-regulated firm, this service enables accountants to provide financial wellbeing, coaching and planning resources under their own brand. Designed by Lifetime – an established financial advice firm - the service is designed to complement existing client relationships, helping professional services stay connected throughout the year and add value between reporting cycles.

By integrating Lifetime Professional, accountants can strengthen their reputation as trusted partners instead of just technical experts. The service gives clients access to such educational resources as webinars, one-to-one financial coaching, and digital tools for your clients via Lifetime’s white-label financial wellbeing app that make understanding money simpler. Branded specifically for each firm, the wellbeing app and the online wellbeing hub not only add new touchpoints for firms but also deepen loyalty and demonstrate a genuine commitment to helping clients achieve long-term financial confidence.

These added-value services are not just a response to tighter conditions; they are a way to future-proof a business model that has remained largely unchanged for decades. In an environment where automation is handling more of the routine work, firms that invest in human connection and proactive support will stand out.

Whatever the Chancellor announces, one outcome is certain. Change will continue, and accountants will need to adapt. The profession’s strength has always been its ability to evolve, combining precision with perspective. By broadening their offer and focusing on client wellbeing, accountants can create a more resilient, forward-looking business that continues to thrive, whatever the next Budget brings.

For further information to see how Lifetime Professional supports stronger client relationships, go to lifetime-enhance.com/lifetime-professional

"How the Autumn Budget Could Push Accountants to Diversify" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand.

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