Illustrative engagement. A representative scenario showing how we approach this kind of work in professional services. It does not describe a specific client; outcomes are described qualitatively.
Industry overview
What is shaping professional services
Consulting, legal, accounting and advisory firms win on reputation and relationships. Client feedback, thought leadership and steady lead flow keep them growing.
- Thought leadership builds credibility
- Client feedback improves retention
- Lead generation is becoming more digital
Client background
A boutique consultancy, working in India. This is an illustrative engagement: a representative scenario showing how we approach this kind of work, not a named client project.
- Organisation
- A boutique consultancy
- Sector
- Professional services
- Team engaged
- Finance & Accounts
- Services
- Budgeting & financial forecasting, Tax planning & advisory
Client challenge
The firm's cash flow was uneven due to project billing.
Research objectives
- Deliver on the brief: financial planning for a consulting firm.
- Establish accurate, reconciled numbers management can rely on.
- Put a reporting and compliance rhythm in place that runs on time.
Target audience
Scope: Annual plan.
Audiences we typically reach in professional services
Clients and former clientsProspectsBusiness leadersPartners and referrersProfessionals and staff
Geographic coverage
Coverage: India. Market: India.
- India
Research methodology
A structured finance engagement: review the current process, set up controls, run the routine and report.
- 1Brief
- 2Budget
- 3Tax planning
- 4Insight
We introduced budgets, billing schedules and tax planning.
Budgeting & financial forecastingTax planning & advisory
Sampling strategy
- Every ledger, entity and transaction stream in scope was covered, with sample-based checks during review.
Data collection
- Source documents, bank statements and ledgers were collected through a secure shared workspace.
Data quality & validation
- Maker-checker review on all entries
- Bank and ledger reconciliations
- Client approval before every filing or report
- Supporting documents kept for every figure
Data analysis
- Variance analysis against budget and prior periods
- Ratio and trend analysis
- Cash-flow view for management
Key findings
- Billing discipline smooths cash flow.
Recommendations
- Build on the core insight: billing discipline smooths cash flow.
- Keep the monthly routine and review exceptions with management every period.
Business impact
- Cash flow became more predictable.
Impact is described qualitatively.
Deliverables & next steps
- Monthly MIS pack and reconciled books
- Compliance calendar and filings
- Continue the routine and review results every period.
- A natural follow-on question: how is our brand perceived?