Sector View

    Identify the professional services firms that need a pricing and delivery conversation

    Assess a firm before a client review or proposal to identify where AI may change billable work, leverage, pricing, junior roles and client expectations. Use the result to decide which commercial discussion is most relevant.

    Proprietary AI Risks analysis: indicative sector scores (not third-party forecasts)

    Based on AI Risks analysis of UK professional services firms including accounting practices, management consultancies, and financial advisory businesses.

    6 / 10
    5-year disruption risk
    AI may affect selected junior-work workflows
    8 / 10
    10-year disruption risk
    Hourly-billing models may face changing conditions
    9 / 10
    AI opportunity score
    Service design and senior capacity are areas to investigate

    Key risk factors for professional services firms

    Research and analysis workflows: AI may support research and summary tasks; effects depend on quality controls, client needs and engagement design.
    Routine advisory questions: Clients may use AI before seeking advice, with possible implications for low-complexity service demand.
    AI platforms: Packaged platforms may influence standard-work pricing; their effect will vary by firm and client segment.
    Talent pipeline: Workflow changes may affect training and role design; this analysis does not forecast employment outcomes.

    Opportunity areas

    Senior advisory workflows: AI may support the allocation of routine work and senior attention, subject to professional judgement.
    AI augmenting senior capacity: Research and drafting tools may support engagements; capacity and financial effects are firm-specific.
    AI governance services: AI governance may be a service area to evaluate where it aligns with client needs and expertise.

    If you advise professional services firms

    Run assessments on priority firms before account reviews or proposals. Compare their risk and opportunity signals, then use the findings to frame a discussion about billable hours, leverage, pricing, junior work or a potential AI advisory service.

    Prepare a professional services account review

    Run a company-specific AI risk and opportunity report for an advisory or consulting firm, benchmarked against relevant sector peers.

    Assess a professional services firm Example report (Grant Thornton UK)
    AI risk reports for IT service providersAI disruption reports for MSPsAI readiness assessments for consultantsAI reports for technology resellers

    Other sectors

    ManufacturingRetailConstructionLogisticsFinancial ServicesLegalPropertyHealthcareIT Services