Industries · Advisers and consultants
Your time is the business. The numbers need to keep up.
You sell expertise, by the hour or at a fixed price. That means you need to trust your accounts, payroll and key figures completely. We take on the whole finance function and give you a CFO sparring partner who understands utilisation, project economics and partner economics.
Your time belongs with your clients. Not with your finances.
Who it is for
For advisers and consultants who sell expertise: lawyers, architects, engineers, consultancies and other specialists. Whether you bill by the hour or at a fixed price, what you sell is your time and know-how.
You get one dedicated partner at Summ who knows your business, and a team that delivers accounting, payroll and reporting with the precision your own clients expect of you.
What we see in the industry.
- Partner economicsSharing profit and ownership as partners join and leave.
- Work in progressMisstated WIP gives the wrong result, month after month.
- UtilisationSmall shifts in utilisation have a large effect on the bottom line.
- Fixed priceFixed-price engagements, where hours must be tracked against the price.
- OverheadShared costs grow as the organisation grows.
- Cash flowBilling in arrears ties up capital in work already done.
What we deliver.
- CFO sparringAn experienced partner at the table when you decide on pricing, capacity, investments and admitting new partners.
- Accounts and annual reportBookkeeping, month-end close and annual report, accurate and on time.
- PayrollSalaries, pensions and bonuses for partners and employees, handled discreetly and precisely.
- Work in progressAssessed and measured every month, so your results give a true picture.
- Project economicsHours, fixed prices and contribution margin per engagement, client and employee.
- Partner structureHolding companies, dividends and tax as partners join and leave.
Expertise is the product. Time is the measure.
How we work.
- ConversationBusiness model, partnership and plans.
- Key figuresWe set up the numbers that actually drive an advisory business.
- Set-upYour time, matter or project system is linked to bookkeeping and reporting.
- OperationsMonthly WIP, reporting and follow-up.
- SparringWe point out the matters, prices and capacity that need action.
Your language
You will not have to explain how your business works.
Summ is itself partner-owned and sells expertise. Utilisation, capacity and partner economics are part of our own day-to-day.
So we speak your language from the first meeting, and you get an adviser who looks at the same numbers you steer by.
Questions.
Can you take over the whole finance function?
Yes. Bookkeeping, payroll, reporting and annual report in one place with us, with one dedicated partner who holds responsibility.
Can you act as our CFO?
Yes. A Summ partner can serve as your part-time CFO, join partner meetings and take charge of budgets, cash flow and reporting.
How is work in progress measured?
At the value the work is expected to be billed at. This requires an ongoing assessment of each matter, engagement or project.
We mostly work at fixed prices. Is this still relevant?
Yes. Even at a fixed price, time decides whether an engagement makes money. We give you an overview of hours and contribution margin per engagement.
Can you handle client funds?
Yes. We reconcile and document client funds on an ongoing basis, so they can always be accounted for.
How do we get started?
With a conversation where we look at your key figures and your needs.
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