CommBank Accounting Market Pulse. Conducted by Beaton Research + Consulting May 2016 (Wave 2 FY16)
CommBank Accounting Market Pulse.Conducted by Beaton Research + Consulting
May 2016 (Wave 2 FY16)
1
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Contents
Foreword 2
Economic outlook 3
Snapshot of survey findings 5
Business conditions
Perceived performance of the Australian economy 7
Perceived performance of the Australian economy by segment 7
Perception of business conditions – present to 2017 8
Perception of business conditions by area – present to 2017 8
Perception of business conditions by area and firm type 9
Top 3 business challenges
Negotiating price with clients 11
Keeping quality staff 12
Finding quality staff 13
Business priorities
Market entry planning and growth 14
Revenue predictions
Changes in revenue by location over the next 6 months 15
Changes in revenue by service line over the next 6 months 15
Changes in revenue by service line and firm type over the next 6 months 16
Realised rates
Expected changes in realised rates over the next 6 and 12 months 18
Expense and profitability predictions
Changes in expenses over the next 6 months 19
Changes in expenses by segment over the next 6 months 19
Changes in staffing by segment over the next 6 months 20
Expected changes in core workforce turnover in FY2016 21
Changes in average remuneration in FY2016 22
Change in operating margins for the next 6 months 22
Outsourcing
Frequency of outsourcing to lower cost providers 23
Outsourcing work over the next 12 months 23
2
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Marc Totaro National Manager, Professional Services Commonwealth Bank
It is my pleasure to present the second-half edition of the CommBank Accounting Market Pulse for FY16, conducted in partnership with Beaton Research + Consulting.
What stands out is how effectively accounting firms are responding to their business environment. The survey, which captures a cross-section of the top 100 accounting and restructuring firms, highlights the array of strategies they are implementing to add value to their clients and grow their own firms.
Diversification is a common tactic, with a sizeable percentage intending to enter and grow in new service lines over the next 12 to 18 months.
Management consulting services is the preferred area of expansion for many large and mid-sized accounting firms, as well as restructuring firms. The latter two groups also see increased opportunities in business advisory and property advisory services. Other firms plan on entering wealth management and financial planning.
This diversification push means the chase for acquisitions continues. Firms are after strategic bolt-on assets to gain capability in niche areas like human resources, taxation law and water asset management advisory.
More immediately, the greatest short-term growth in revenue is expected to come from economic and social policy advice, tax consulting and wealth
management, and financial planning. The jump in tax consulting, from fifth place in our last survey to its current ranking of equal second, may reflect the approach of the financial year-end while all three levels of government are increasingly attractive given their stability. Governments still seek assistance with commercialising their services.
Lifting productivity is another lever being pulled. The three largest areas of expense growth over the next six months remain staff training and development, investing in IT hardware and software, and a focus on marketing and business development.
The productivity push and expansion into new service lines partly explain why firms, with the exception of the very largest, forecast increased operating margins in coming months.
Another survey finding is that firms are hiring more equity partners, junior to mid-level accountants, directors, managers and fixed share and salary partners. In contrast, the head count of secretarial, administrative and shared service staff is still falling, a trend we expect to continue. The ratio of fee earners to non-fee earners is climbing.
These strategies to lift revenue are complemented by an increased propensity to outsource activities to lower cost providers. Large firms, with exposure to global trends, lead the way with 80 per cent frequently outsourcing work. Smaller firms are watching and waiting, with 74 per cent rarely or never outsourcing. Nevertheless, the accounting profession is years ahead of other professional services providers in riding the outsourcing and offshoring wave to improve profitability.
CommBank’s Accounting Market Pulse presents the profession’s latest views and trends, making it a useful tool for business planning and benchmarking. We look forward to continuing to monitor key financial and operational performance indicators within the industry and sharing these insights with you.
Email: [email protected] Tel : +61 2 9303 1940
Diversification push underway
3
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Michael Workman Senior Economist Commonwealth Bank
The Australian economy continues to work its way through a transition away from mining-driven growth towards stronger outcomes from residential construction and the services areas of tourism, accommodation, health and education. The varying outcomes across the business sectors and the employment market reflect these shifts.
In our view, the domestic economy has strengthened in the past six months, with overall real growth finishing the year at 3 per cent, in line with the longer term average. A significant proportion of that growth came from higher goods and services export volumes. But there were also solid contributions from stronger household spending trends, particularly in the services areas like health, education and tourism.
The CommBank Accounting Market Pulse indicates that accounting firms are slightly less optimistic about future business conditions in the current survey than the previous one. They are also less positive on the 12-month and two-year outlooks for their firms.
The national employment market has expanded reasonably firmly over the past year and the unemployment rate is near 5.8 per cent, which is well below the rates of early 2015. Jobs growth has mainly been in the larger states of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland over the past year. The combination of very low mortgage rates and a residential construction boom is beneficial
for the jobs market across a number of sectors in those states. The lower Australian dollar is lifting the currency exposed sectors of the economy. Low interest rates look set to stay in place over the coming year. Inflation remains low and there is little sign of change in the trend towards quite weak national wages growth.
In our view, the background conditions for the economy are likely to remain quite mixed through the coming year. The lack of a consistent theme of uniform improvement in overall growth tends to promote a greater degree of caution than otherwise would be the case. Even though interest rates remain low by historical standards, there is still considerable caution on the part of businesses and households in terms of investment and spending decisions.
The higher levels of business caution are likely to mean the emphasis on various measures to control costs, and even reduce them, will remain paramount. Relatively low national wages growth reflects the trend to both limit staff cost growth and lift productivity. The other challenges in the firms surveyed include collecting invoices, negotiating prices charged to clients and recruiting and holding quality staff. These issues are not just a local phenomenon. They are regularly covered in global business magazines. When growth in the market slows, there needs to be a much more concerted control over expenses to maintain a profitable business.
Overseas influences on the local economy will remain important over the rest of the year. Australia’s major trading partner, China, is also progressing through a transition towards more consumer spending driven growth. The change will present Australian businesses with new opportunities because part of it involves much higher numbers of Chinese tourists coming to Australia. They will also be interested in investment possibilities in parts of the local economy, like tourism, accommodation and all forms of property. So while there be some doubts about the future of Australia’s mineral exports to Australia, there are significant growth opportunities for other sectors if China’s transition succeeds.
Economic outlook
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Real GDP (annual % change)
-2
0
2
4
6
Sep-89 Sep-95 Sep-01 Sep-07 Sep-13
%
Early'90s
recession
Net
%
Trend
Labour Market Trends
-10
0
10
20
30
40
3.5
4.1
4.7
5.3
5.9
6.5
Jul-05 Jul-07 Jul-09 Jul-11 Jul-13 Jul-15
Unemploymentrate, (lhs)
Une
mpl
oym
ent r
ate
Employm
ent growth ('000)
Trend
4
The Australian dollar can be seen as barometer of how China’s economy is performing. The Australian dollar’s recent shift to higher levels reflects not only a weak US dollar, but also a clear pick-up in global commodity prices like iron ore and oil. That is principally because the news on China’s economic outlook has become more optimistic but it also reflects reduced oversupply
concerns. For exporters, the higher Australian dollar is not such good news. But we do not see it returning to the very high levels of a few years ago. We believe the dining and tourism booms can proceed as China’s demand grows and the Australian dollar stays near current levels.
5
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Perception of business conditions
Net % (positive - negative)
In 2 years
W1 FY16 W2 FY16
40%56%
In 12 months
W1 FY16 W2 FY16
20%36%
At the moment
W1 FY16 W2 FY16
23%25%
Snapshot of survey findings
Perceived performance of Australian economy
Geographic areas with highest revenue growth expectations
Main service lines to enter and grow in the next 12 to 18 months
Northern Territory 80%
New South Wales 75%
Victoria 68%
Net % (increasing-decreasing)
Management consulting services 100%Large
firms
Management consulting services Business advisory services
Property advisory Corporate finance
Economic and social policy
50%
Restructuring
firms
Management consulting servicesBusiness advisory services
Property advisory50%Mid-sized
firms
Wealth management & financial planning 47%Other firms
Top 3 business challenges for accounting firms
Net % (challenging - easy)
% of respondents
40%Negotiating price with
clients
40%Collecting invoices
37%Finding
quality staff
5
-20% Large firms
25% Mid-sized firms
50% Restructuring firms
-21% Other firms
Net % (positive - negative)
6
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Outsourcing of work over the next 12 months
The majority of Accounting firms forecast an increase in outsourcing work over the next 12 months.
Top 3 areas of increased expenses over the next 6 months
Staff numbers
Net % (increasing-decreasing)
• Equity partners
• Junior to mid-level accountants
• Directors / Managers
• Fixed share / salary partners
• Shared service staff
• Secretarial and administration staff
43%Staff training and
development
40%IT hardware and
software
40%Marketing
and business development
Large firms
Mid-sized firms
Other firms
Restructuring firms
Operating margins forecast
Net % (increasing-decreasing)% who think it will increase
6
-20%
50% 42% 50% 60%Large firms
100%Mid-sized
firms
50%Restructuring
firms
65%Otherfirms
Net % (increasing-decreasing)
100%Economic and social policy
advice
83%Tax
consulting
82%Wealth management
and financial planning
Top 3 areas of increased revenue over the next 6 months
of Large firms frequently outsource work to lower cost
providers
80%
of Other firms have never outsourced work to lower cost
providers
26%
Outsourcing to lower cost providers
7
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Business conditions
Perceived performance of the Australian economy
Perceptions of the Australian economy remain slightly negative among Australian accounting firms.
58 57
17 17
-25 -26 -8 -9
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Positive Neutral Net Negative
Net
% (
posi
tive
-neg
ativ
e)
Perceived performance of the Australian economy by segment
Leaders of Large, Mid-sized and Restructuring firms are all less optimistic about the economy compared to previous wave.
80
42
100
5380
2550 57
20
29 1450
5011
-29 -33 -20 -25 -32
20
0 0
-19 -20
25
50
-21
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Large �rms Mid-sized �rms Restructuring �rms
Other �rms Large �rms Mid-sized �rms Restructuring �rms
Other �rms
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Net
%
Positive Neutral Net Negative
8
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Perception of business conditions for Australian accounting firms – present to 2017
Accounting firm leaders are more optimistic about current business conditions compared to six months ago, and they remain confident across the long-term.
25 23
36
20
56
40
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
At the moment Likely to be in 12 months time Likely to be in 2 years time
Net
% (
posi
tive
- n
egat
ive)
Perception of business conditions by area
Price negotiation, collecting invoices and finding quality staff are considered the primary challenges in the current market conditions.
39
47
8 11
-22
-31 -31-25
-33
2013
0
-13
-27 -27
-37-40 -40
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Accessing capital
Keeping staff fully utilised
Competing with other �rms
Keeping expenses
under control
Winning new business
Keeping quality staff
Finding quality staff
Collecting invoices
Negotiating price with
clients
Net
% (
easy
-cha
lleng
ing)
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
9
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Perception of business conditions by area and firm type
Large firms are finding it most challenging to win new business, negotiate price with clients and compete with other firms.
Large �rms Restructuring �rms Other �rms Mid-sized �rms
40
20
-20
0
-60
-40
57
0
86
50
140 0 0
-33-50
-33
0
3826
62
1629
11
-120
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Accessing capital Keeping staff fully utilised Competing with other �rms
Net
% (
easy
-cha
lleng
ing)
Large �rms Restructuring �rms Other �rms Mid-sized �rms
-40
-20
-80 -80
-20
-80
86
0 0
-25
0
-25
0 0
-100
-50
-67
0 0
-16-5 -11
-29-16
-120
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Keeping expenses under control Winning new business Keeping quality staff
Net
% (
easy
-cha
lleng
ing)
10
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Large �rms Restructuring �rms Other �rms Mid-sized �rms
-20
-60
-20
-40
-100 -100
-57-50
-43
-25
0
-25
0 0
-33
0
-100
-50
-29 -32 -29
-47
-19-26
-120
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Finding quality staff Collecting invoices Negotiating price with clients
Net
% (
easy
-cha
lleng
ing)
11
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
What firms are doing to address the main challenges
Negotiating price with clients
“Focus on advisory versus compliance, with differentiated service offerings. Value based pricing options.” – Partner, Large firm
“Emphasising value over price; focusing on needs not cost; offering flexibility - phases of work, multiple decision points, high or low spec options where feasible.” – CEO/Managing Partner, Restructuring firm
“Increasingly fixing fees for repetitive work specials by negotiation with frequent communication on progress. High level of communication and transparency around fees.” – CEO/Managing Partner, Other firm
“Fixed fee arrangements with client with out of scope work done by an hourly rate.” – CEO/Managing Partner, Other firm
“Being upfront but identifying as soon as possible where problems/overruns are being met; guaranteeing fee level.” – CEO/Managing Partner, Other firm
“Discussing value and focus on getting scope right.” – Partner, Restructuring firm
“Significant increase in training for partners and directors re pricing discussions, and consultative conversations.” – CEO/Managing Partner, Large firm
12
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Keeping quality staff
“Improving engagement; connecting them to our purpose and strategy, increasing training opportunities.” – Chief Operating Officer / General Manager, Large firm
“Continue winning interesting, challenging projects. Not tolerating under-performance. Maintaining benefits.” – CEO/Managing Partner, Restructuring firm
“Looking at the different levels of engagement with these people. Conducting career interviews to see that they are in line with the direction of the firm. Greater open communication. Flexibility in working hours. Providing HR support through consultants.” – CEO/Managing Partner, Other firm
“Introducing a training continuum to raise train and sustain key staff.” – CEO/Managing Partner, Mid-sized firm
“We keep quality people as we offer a great and engaging workplace, above market pay and great conditions. Many social functions and activity, lots of staff training, get the culture right and keep it right.” – CEO/Managing Partner, Other firm
“Targeted talent development, wellness and work-life balance programs. Focus on diversity and gender equality.” – Partner, Large firm
13
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Finding quality staff
“Using recognized third parties to manage organic growth and target specialists and push our value proposition to bring in experienced staff.” – CEO/Managing Partner, Mid-sized firm
“Using sign on bonuses. Also employing earlier whilst they are undertaking their degrees to ensure we dont loose out to competitors.” – CEO/Managing Partner, Other firm
“Continuing focus on internal referrals.” – CEO/Managing Partner, Large firm
“Expanding recruitment beyond being a function of HR.” – Partner, Restructuring firm
“Focus on graduate recruitment, presenting firm culture and flexible working conditions. Also focus on brand and international affiliations.” – CFO, Other firm
“Attending university open days, attending career nights with accounting bodies, becoming an employer of choice.” – CEO/Managing Partner, Other firm
14
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Business priorities
Market entry planning and growth
Management consulting, wealth management and business advisory are the primary areas of market growth over the next 12 to 18 months.
47 44
56
3944
8
17 14
4337
3027
2013 13 13
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Management consulting services
Wealth management &
�nancial planning
Business advisory services
Tax consulting Superannuation Business recovery & insolvency
External / statutory audit
Property advisory
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
%
17 17
0
19
6
17
6 613
10 10 107 7
0 00
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Risk management
Corporate �nance (including M&A)
Economic &social policy
advice
Tax compliance Forensic & fraud accounting
Internal audit Private equity Sustainability / climate change
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
%
15
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Revenue predictions
Changes in revenue by location over the next 6 months
Firms net forecast for total revenue in New South Wales, Victoria and Northern Territory have increased, while forecasts in other states and regions have dropped or remained flat.
67 68
56 50
53
60
50
42
20
80 75
68
50 47
38 33
21
8
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Northern Territory
New South Wales
Victoria New Zealand Queensland Australian Capital Territory
Tasmania South Australia Western Australia
Net
% (
incr
easi
ng-d
ecre
asin
g)
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Changes in revenue by service line over the next 6 months
Economic & social policy advice, tax consulting and wealth management & financial planning service lines are expected to have the greatest increase in revenue.
100
74
90
83
74
82
57 56
100
83 82 75 74
61
44 44
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Economic &social policy
advice
Tax consulting Wealth management &
�nancial planning
Superannuation Management consulting services
Business advisory services
Property advisory Corporate �nance (including
M&A)
Net
% (
incr
easi
ng-d
ecre
asin
g)
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
16
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Changes in revenue by service line and firm type over the next 6 months
Other firm leaders forecast a net decrease in revenue in corporate finance in this wave, while leaders in large firms and mid-sized firm forecast a net decrease in business recovery & insolvency
100 100 100 100
50
75
50
20
0 0
71 75
100 100
71
100 100 100
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
67 80
100
79
94 87
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Economic and social policy advice Tax consulting Wealth management & �nancial planning
Superannuation
Net
% (
incr
easi
ng-d
ecre
asin
g)
Large �rms Restructuring �rms Other �rms Mid-sized �rms
5055 52 50
39
71
50
-27
40 38
27 25 2517
0 0
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Forensic & fraud accounting
Tax compliance External / statutory audit
Risk management
Internal audit Private equity Sustainability / climate change
Business recovery & insolvency
Net
% (
incr
easi
ng-d
ecre
asin
g)
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
17
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Large �rms Restructuring �rms Other �rms Mid-sized �rms
80
100 100
60
25
67 60
80
57 50
57 50
80 67
50
75
50
100
0
100
33
0
-50
50
89
67
86
61
100
0
100
-20
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Management consulting services Business advisory services Property advisory Corporate �nance (including M&A)
Net
% (
incr
easi
ng-d
ecre
asin
g)
Large �rms Restructuring �rms Other �rms Mid-sized �rms
80
60 60
40
60 60
20 20
50
0
43 50
67
33
67 67 67
50
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
33
58
35 42
14
75
0
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Forensic & fraud accounting Tax compliance External / statutory audit Risk management
Net
% (
incr
easi
ng-d
ecre
asin
g)
20
40
75
33
67
0
-20 -20
67 67 67
0 0 0
-17
-67
0 0 0 0 0 0
-67
50
33
0 0 0 0 0 0
50
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Internal audit Private equity Sustainability / climate change Business recovery & insolvency
Net
% (
incr
easi
ng-d
ecre
asin
g)
Large �rms Restructuring �rms Other �rms Mid-sized �rms
18
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Realised rates
Expected changes in realised rates over the next 6 and 12 months
Compared to the last report, Restructuring firms now have a more optimistic view on realised rates.
Large �rms Restructuring �rms Other �rms Mid-sized �rms
1.5 1.5 1.5
0.5
2.5
0.0
2.5
4.4
-1.3
0.0
1.3
2.5
3.4 3.8 3.6
2.8
-4.0
-2.0
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
In the next 6 months (as compared to the last 6 months) In the next 12 months (as compared to the last 6 months)
Mea
n %
19
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Expense and profitability predictions
Changes in expenses over the next 6 months Accounting firm leaders continue to prioritise staff training and development, IT hardware and software and marketing and business development.
54 51 51
41
23
11
3
43 40 40
33
13 20
0
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Staff training &development
IT hardware &software
Marketing &business
development
Knowledge management
Professional indemnity insurance
Occupancy Telecommunications
Net
% (
incr
easi
ng-d
ecre
asin
g)
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Changes in expenses by segment over the next 6 monthsThe main focus for Large firms for the next 6 months is on IT hardware and software and staff training and development, while for mid-sized firms, the main focus is on knowledge management.
80
60 60
80
60
20
0 0
43 50
14 25
43 50
71
100
-33
50
33
50
0 0 0
50 65
37
65
32
60 47 45
26
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Staff training & development IT hardware & software Marketing & business development Knowledge management
Net
% (
incr
easi
ng-d
ecre
asin
g)
Large �rms Restructuring �rms Other �rms Mid-sized �rms
20
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
20
0
20 20
40
0 0 0
-14
50
-29 -25 -33
0 0 0
-67
-50
40
21 20 16 15 11
-120
-70
-20
30
80
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Professional indemnity insurance Occupancy Telecommunications
Net
% (
incr
easi
ng-d
ecre
asin
g)
Large �rms Restructuring �rms Other �rms Mid-sized �rms
Changes in staffing by segment over the next 6 monthsLarge firms forecast the highest net increase in partner numbers.
Large �rms Restructuring �rms Other �rms Mid-sized �rms
100 100
75 75 60
20 29
50
17
67
0
25 33
50
0 0
33
50
20 21 26 13
33 37
-120
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Equity partner numbers Fixed share / salary partner numbers Director / manager numbers
Net
% (
incr
easi
ng-d
ecre
asin
g)
21
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Large �rms Restructuring �rms Other �rms Mid-sized �rms
60 60
-20
-50
-20
-40
29
50
-14 -25
-14
-50
-33
50
0 0 0 0
67
26 14
5 14
-11
-120
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16 Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Junior to mid-level accountant numbers Shared service staff numbers (e.g. Marketing, IT, Finance, HR)
Secretarial & admin staff numbers
Net
% (
incr
easi
ng-d
ecre
asin
g)
Expected changes in core workforce turnover in FY2016
Turnover across all levels, except secretarial and administrative staff are expected to increase.
-10
35
0
35
0
-10
14 25
17 17 10
-13
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Equity partner numbers
Fixed share / salary partner
numbers
Director / manager numbers
Junior to mid-level accountant numbers
Shared service staff numbers
Secretarial &admin staff numbers
Wave 1 FY15 Wave 2 FY16
%
22
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Changes in average remuneration in FY2016Increase in remuneration is forecast to be highest for salary partners and directors
Change in operating margins for the next 6 months
All firms, except Large firms, forecast operating margins to increase for the next 6 months.
Large �rms Restructuring �rms Other �rms Mid-sized �rms
40
-20
57 50
-67
50 33
42
-120
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
%
2.5
2.0
3.4
1.3 1.4
2.8 2.8 2.5
1.8
1.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
Fixed share / salary partner
numbers
Director / manager numbers
Junior to mid-level accountant numbers
Shared service staff numbers
Secretarial &admin staff numbers
Mea
n %
Wave 1 FY15 Wave 2 FY16
23
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Outsourcing
Frequency of outsourcing to lower cost providers The proportion of firms who outsource work frequently has increased among all firm types except Restructuring firms.
14
33 33 26
24
11
40
43
34
28
20
50
100 37
40
29
33 5
60
50
21 20
14 10 20
5
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Large �rm Mid-sized �rm Restructuring �rm
Other �rm Large �rm Mid-sized �rm Restructuring �rm
Other �rm
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Never Almost never Rarely Somewhat frequently Very frequently
%
Outsourcing work over the next 12 months
The majority of firm leaders in Large, Mid-sized and Other firms forecast an increase in outsourcing work over the next 12 months.
14
29
33
53 40
50
35
80
57 67
41
40
50
50
59
20 6
20
50
6
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Large �rm Mid-sized �rm Restructuring �rm Other �rm Large �rm Mid-sized �rm Restructuring �rm Other �rm
Wave 1 FY16 Wave 2 FY16
Decrease signi�cantly Decrease About the same Increase Increase signi�cantly
%
24
COMMBANK ACCOUNTING MARKET PULSE – MAY 2016
Further information
For further insights or information, please contact:
Marc Totaro, National Manager Professional Services
Mobile: 0477 739 315 Phone: +61 2 9303 1940 Email: [email protected] Web: commbank.com.au/accountingmarketpulse
For media inquiries, please contact:
Bethany Poore Mobile: 0477 763 097 Phone: +61 2 9303 1259
Things you should know: This report is published solely for information purposes. As this report has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should before acting on the information in this report, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances and if necessary seek the appropriate professional advice. This biannual report has been prepared independently by Beaton Research + Consulting and is commissioned by Commonwealth Bank. The confidential online survey used to prepare this report was undertaken by Beaton Research + Consulting in February and March 2016. The report is based on the views of 30 accounting firms across Australia with a combined revenue of approximately $4.7B. Any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made, based on the information available at the time of its compilation. No representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made in this report. The project was undertaken in compliance with the requirements of ISO 20252. Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124.
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