Linking Strategic and Project Concepts to Enhance Management Advisory Services

Thomas R. Pressly, PhD, CPA

As corporate executive demands for expanded expertise continue to multiply, financial professionals continue to play the role of valued strategic consultants, according to the Wall Street Journal (Dana Mattioli, “Finance Chiefs Expand Roles,” January 31, 2011). These professional demands can create new opportunities for niche advisory firms to capitalize on increased demand for small business services in the United States (“Small Firms Can Capitalize on Their Size to Compete with Big Regionals,” AccountingWeb, December 20, 2011). Companies can market their intellectual capital using the six competitive advantage characteristics identified in Exhibit 1. By becoming familiar with a strategic decision framework, CPAs and business advisors can provide support and advice to clients that are growing or experiencing organizational change.