For many professionals in accounting, the desire to build meaningful connections with clients is undeniable. Yet, an overwhelming workload often keeps this goal out of reach. Recent insights from a global survey involving 1,000 accountants and bookkeepers across six countries reveal a striking pattern: while professionals aspire to offer more value to their clients, the reality of their day-to-day work leaves little room for relationship-building.
The findings show a disconnect between ambition and execution. A significant number of respondents spend only a fraction of their time on client-focused activities. Even more telling is the sentiment shared by many—only half of the participants believe they are succeeding in their roles, and even fewer feel genuinely appreciated or impactful in their work.
As we move through 2025, this challenge presents a unique opportunity. Firms that prioritize client engagement and adapt their operations accordingly will likely set themselves apart. In this environment, focusing on deeper relationships can become the cornerstone of long-term success. The time is ripe for accountants and bookkeepers to align their professional values with their practice strategies.
Below are five key steps your firm can take to shift focus and reframe how you work with clients—helping you not only improve client satisfaction but also find more fulfillment in your career.
Reclaim Time for What Matters Most
The first move toward better client engagement is regaining control of your schedule. Many professionals report that they are weighed down by repetitive administrative duties. These include tasks like payroll processing, manual data entry, and reconciling bank statements—essential yet time-consuming activities.
Automating these functions can transform the way you work. Digital tools that streamline routine tasks not only reduce errors but also free up valuable hours. When those hours are redirected toward client support, your ability to act as a strategic advisor increases significantly.
By leveraging automation, you not only gain efficiency but also improve the service quality your clients receive. A cleaner, faster workflow allows you to respond more quickly to inquiries, provide timely insights, and deliver tailored recommendations that truly address client needs.
Understand Clients Beyond the Numbers
Knowing your clients’ financials is important, but understanding the context behind those numbers is where real value lies. A deeper, more consultative relationship begins with understanding each client’s industry, challenges, and ambitions.
This means going beyond emails and spreadsheets. Spend time getting familiar with your client’s daily operations. Observe how their team works. Listen to the problems they face outside of tax season or audit time. Even informal conversations can reveal invaluable details that shape how you can best support them.
Building this kind of relationship turns your services from transactional to transformational. You’ll be able to identify new opportunities for growth, spot inefficiencies in their business model, and recommend practical steps that align with their long-term goals.
Create Tailored Service Strategies
Every client is different, and a generic approach rarely meets all their needs. After learning more about your clients’ unique circumstances, the next step is to design a customized service plan for each one.
These plans should reflect their specific goals—whether it’s reducing tax burdens, expanding operations, or improving liquidity. Start by reviewing which services they currently use. Then, explore what additional offerings might provide further value. Many clients don’t realize how much more you can offer until it’s explained in a structured, clear plan.
You might find that a client who only uses basic bookkeeping could greatly benefit from quarterly financial reviews or risk assessments. Or a growing company may need help navigating investment strategies and resource planning.
With the right software and analytical tools, it’s easier than ever to track these needs and manage personalized service portfolios for multiple clients simultaneously. This not only adds to your value but also strengthens your relationship as you become a key player in their business success.
Keep Client Strategies Flexible and Up-to-Date
The business world is dynamic, and your client support strategies should reflect that. A plan that worked perfectly six months ago might need an update due to new market conditions, staffing changes, or altered business priorities.
Setting up a recurring review system—quarterly or bi-annually—ensures that your support stays relevant. These meetings aren’t just administrative checkpoints; they’re strategic opportunities to realign, reassess progress, and co-create new objectives.
Use agreed-upon metrics, like revenue growth, profit margins, or client satisfaction scores, to evaluate outcomes. These sessions help build trust and show your continued investment in their success.
By actively monitoring and adjusting your service approach, you reinforce your role as an advisor who is both proactive and reliable—an invaluable combination for any client.
Use Feedback to Continuously Improve
No one understands the quality of your service better than your clients. Regular feedback can offer clear guidance on what you’re doing well and where you need to improve.
Make feedback collection part of your client engagement routine. This could be done through surveys, informal chats, or structured interviews. Ask direct, open-ended questions such as: How are we doing? What would you like to see more of? Are there any concerns we haven’t addressed?
This level of openness demonstrates that you care about your client’s experience and are committed to refining your services. The more you listen, the more aligned you become with their evolving expectations.
Moreover, incorporating feedback into your workflow allows you to stay ahead of potential issues, improve retention, and strengthen your reputation in the industry. Clients who feel heard and respected are much more likely to remain loyal and refer others to your practice.
A Turning Point for Accountants in 2025
As the profession evolves, there is a palpable sense of anticipation and readiness among accountants and bookkeepers. A vast majority express a desire to play a bigger role in their clients’ success stories and are eager to move beyond the traditional confines of the job.
This year presents a golden opportunity to make that shift. By embracing technology, creating personalized client experiences, and staying responsive to their changing needs, firms can not only meet expectations but surpass them.
What clients seek today goes beyond simple number crunching. They are looking for collaborative partners—professionals who can provide strategic advice, foresee challenges, and recommend actionable solutions. Adopting a client-focused approach enables you to meet these expectations while revitalizing your own career path.
When you automate where it matters most and prioritize high-impact interactions, you transform how your clients see you. More importantly, you rediscover the core of your profession: helping people and businesses thrive through insightful financial leadership.
Now is the time to redefine your practice, strengthen client loyalty, and lead with purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main challenge accountants face in building client relationships?
Excessive workloads and time-consuming manual tasks limit the time accountants can spend engaging with clients.
Why is client engagement so important in 2025?
Building strong client relationships is key to standing out in a competitive market and driving long-term firm success.
How can automation help accountants?
Automation reduces repetitive tasks like data entry and payroll processing, freeing time for more strategic client-focused work.
What is the benefit of understanding a client’s business deeply?
It allows accountants to offer tailored advice, identify growth opportunities, and become trusted business advisors.
Why are personalized service plans essential?
They align accounting services with each client’s unique needs, demonstrating added value and building trust.
How often should client plans be reviewed?
Regular check-ins, ideally quarterly or bi-annually, help keep strategies aligned with evolving business goals.
What metrics can track client success?
Useful indicators include cash flow improvement, client satisfaction scores, and overall business performance growth.
How should feedback be collected from clients?
Through surveys, direct conversations, or reviews during regular meetings to refine services and enhance satisfaction.
What’s the risk of not evolving client relationships?
Firms may fall behind competitors, lose relevance, and miss out on retention and referral opportunities.
How do clients benefit from stronger accountant relationships?
They receive more insightful, proactive, and customized financial guidance that directly supports their growth.
What mindset shift is needed in the accounting profession?
A move from transactional services to advisory-led relationships focused on deeper client value and impact.
What’s the long-term value of a client-centric strategy?
It boosts loyalty, enhances reputation, increases referrals, and leads to more fulfilling and profitable work.