Wolters Kluwer research shows advisory services are reshaping the future of the accounting profession

New “Advisory‑first engagement” chapter from the Future Ready Accountant program highlights how firms are scaling, pricing, and delivering higher‑value client services

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting today announced the release of its latest Future Ready Accountant chapter, Advisory-first engagement: From compliance to strategic partnership, providing new insights into how firms are accelerating the shift toward advisory-led business models and unlocking new revenue opportunities. The chapter expands on the company’s flagship Future Ready Accountant research, offering a focused look at how leading firms are embedding advisory services into client engagements, operationalizing delivery, and demonstrating measurable business impact.

As market dynamics evolve, accounting firms are increasingly prioritizing advisory services to meet client demand for forward‑looking, strategic guidance. The Advisory‑first engagement chapter underscores that high‑performing firms are distinguishing themselves by moving beyond compliance‑centric work and embedding advisory at the core of the client experience. This includes rethinking engagement models, adopting technology‑enabled workflows, and equipping professionals with the skills needed to deliver deeper insights.

The research highlights several key trends shaping advisory adoption:

• Firms are formalizing advisory offerings, with defined service packages and pricing structures that support scalability and predictability
• Digital maturity is a critical enabler, allowing firms to integrate data, automate routine tasks, and surface actionable insights for clients
• Talent development is evolving, with greater emphasis on consultative skills, industry specialization, and client relationship management
• Firms that lead in advisory are more likely to report stronger growth, improved client retention, and higher overall profitability

“Advisory is no longer an adjacent capability, it is becoming the foundation of how firms deliver value to clients,” said Joel Morris, Vice President and Segment Leader of the Research & Advisory, Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting. “Our latest Future Ready Accountant chapter shows that firms that take an advisory‑first approach are better positioned to grow, differentiate, and build deeper client relationships. By combining technology, data, and expertise, firms can move from transactional interactions to strategic partnerships.”

The chapter also explores how firms are monetizing advisory services, from value‑based pricing models to bundled offerings that align with client outcomes. It notes that firms making the transition successfully are those that align leadership vision, operational execution, and technology investment around a clear advisory strategy.

Wolters Kluwer continues to support this shift through ongoing innovation in its product portfolio. The company recently launched CCH Axcess™ Advisor, a cloud based solution designed to help firms scale advisory services by surfacing advisory opportunities that already exist within a client portfolio, based on CCH Axcess Tax data. By transforming tax and client data into actionable insights, CCH Axcess Advisor empowers professionals to easily identify opportunities, deliver timely recommendations and drive measurable value for clients.

Together, the insights from the Advisory‑first engagement chapter and Wolters Kluwer’s continued investment in technology reinforce the company’s commitment to helping firms navigate transformation and succeed in an increasingly competitive landscape.

To learn more, download the chapter here: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/advisory-first-engagement-for-accounting-firms

About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL) is a global leader in information solutions, software and services for professionals in healthcare; tax and accounting; financial and corporate compliance; legal and regulatory; corporate performance and ESG. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2025 annual revenues of €6.1 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 21,100 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

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