EMEA Conference highlights significant opportunities for mid-size professional firms that can become visible experts

Themed ‘Building a Future-Proof Firm’, Alliott Group’s conference attracted a record attendance of 100 accountants and lawyers from 31 countries. Delegates acquired insights into how they can become a more powerful, trusted resource for their clients in a world rich with opportunities but also facing significant challenges.

Over the three-day event, experts from within and outside the alliance’s international membership gave presentations and facilitated workshops on a range of business improvement subjects such as effective leadership, talent management and marketing.

With new EU data protection regulations (‘GDPR’) being directly applicable in EU countries from 25th May, updates on the practicalities of GDPR compliance were high on the conference agenda with members from Austria (Juergen Brandstaetter) providing information their professional counterparts can share with clients to help future-proof their businesses. Furthermore, the significant changes to the U.S. tax system were the subject of a joint presentation given by U.S. tax (Scott Shapiro, Weber Shapiro) and attorney (Ted Markson, Golenbock Eiseman) members who outlined the implications for foreign companies and individuals.

Keynote speaker William Johnson challenged thinking on how to 'sell' high end professional services.

This year’s conference also provided the catalyst for the launch of two specialist groups focused on VAT & Indirect Tax and Transfer Pricing which will be led by Mickael Tatayas and and Marie-Lise Swinne respectively, both international tax specialists at Tax Consult in Belgium.

Alliott Group CEO comments: “The content of this conference and the levels of participation were at an all-time high. The main conference and the meetings of our specialist groups focused on tax, M&A, legal, global mobility and private wealth demonstrated the value of accountants and lawyers working together at the international level within an alliance such as Alliott Group. The success of this conference and our continued growth show that we are in an optimum position to meet the growing preference among clients for a one-stop-shop approach to buying professional services.”

Existing members were joined at the conference by a number of representatives from prospective member firms in Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Serbia and Tunisia who were able to acquire ‘future-proofing’ strategies focused on how their firms can:

• Leverage relationships with their international alliance colleagues to offer local companies and private individuals a ‘one-stop-shop’ approach to procuring professional advice on a multi-market basis
• Establish the true collaborative partnerships clients want from professional advisers
• Attract and retain the best local talent in their marketplaces
• Differentiate and grow their practices by developing specialist niches
• Embrace technology to increase transparency and efficiency with clients and enhance the service experience
• Develop a marketing strategy that does not rely on referrals.

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Attendees participated in interactive workshops throughout the conference.

During the conference, delegates were also able to network in a more relaxed setting while sampling some of Prague’s best restaurants and nightlife and participating in a walking tour of the city.