A major research project to improve the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence across accounting and law firms is looking for practices to take part and trial ground-breaking technology
Mid-tier and smaller firms in the accounting and law sectors are being asked to join forces with researchers and accounting and law specialists as part of the £1.8m Technology in Professional Services (TiPS) accelerator project, led by Lancaster University Management School (LUMS).
There are three different ‘support pathways’ on offer to access practical, tailored help for firms at different stages of technology adoption.
The first support pathway offers firms that have minimal experience of advanced digital technology the chance to exploit the technology they already have, or can easily access – such as Microsoft 365 tools like Power Apps, Power Automate and Power BI – to enhance service delivery.
Over the course of a few months, the firms will be supported in successfully applying a technology relevant to their business to help with a particular practice area or process.
The second pathway is for firms ready to take on a new technology and apply it to an important professional service or business task. This support package will help in the initial adoption phase as firms bed in sector-specific solutions over the course of 8-10 months.
The third pathway will support firms already relatively experienced in technology adoption in projects to extend or deepen the use of the technology over the course of 12 months plus.
Professor Martin Spring from Lancaster University Management School is the lead researcher on the project. He said: ‘We are looking to recruit around 60 firms to the funded project, but encourage any interested businesses to get in touch.
'In addition to the support packages on offer we will be gathering insights from each of the firms we work with to create roadmaps for the benefit of the whole sector, highlighting successful methods and tips for firms of all shapes and sizes.’
Any UK accountancy or law firm interested in registering to get involved should go to LUMS Tips Accelerator website.
The research team also includes LUMS professors James Faulconbridge and Katy Mason, working with Oxford Brookes University and Hyperscale Group Limited.
The researchers are also working alongside ACCA and the Law Society to ensure the project caters to the specific needs of the sectors and is as effective as possible for all involved.