Advisory Isn’t Even on the Menu (And That’s the Real Problem)

by | Aug 18, 2025 | Advisory

Man looking at his iPad looking at the advisory plan reading a blog

Why clients aren’t asking for business advisory and how you can change that, without doing it all yourself.

Picture this.

You walk into a beautiful restaurant. You’re shown to your seat. It’s a nice vibe. Good lighting. Great linen. But then… nothing.

No menu.
No specials.
No drinks list.
Just a quiet waiter, standing there, assuming you know what to order.

So you go with what you know: bread and water. Basic. Safe. Expected.

Meanwhile, there’s a full chef’s menu being served to the table next to you — paired wines, thoughtful flavours, carefully timed delivery. But no one ever told you it was available.

That, right there, is what your clients are experiencing.

They don’t know advisory is even on your menu because you’ve never shown it to them.

You’re Not Failing But You Might Be Invisible

Here’s the truth: if you’ve spent most of your career delivering tax returns, financials, and compliance work, then that’s all your clients think you offer.

You’re not doing anything wrong. You’re delivering exactly what was asked. But if your clients don’t know what else is possible, how can they ask for more?

They’re not saying no to advisory.
They don’t know it’s an option.

So they order the “bread and water” version of your firm… and leave not knowing they could’ve had something with actual flavour.

Advisory Isn’t Fluffy It’s Focused

Let’s call out the elephant in the room: “advisory” is an overused and underdefined word.

If it feels vague, that’s because it is. I’ve written a whole blog on the different types of advisory (Read Here), because that confusion is exactly what holds so many accountants back.

What I specialise in and what I believe will transform your firm is Business Improvement Advisory.

That’s real conversations, clear actions, and measurable outcomes.

It’s helping clients improve cashflow, build better systems, grow sustainably, and make decisions with confidence.

Not fluff. Not guessing. And not winging it.

You Don’t Need to Do It Alone

Before your brain starts yelling, “But I don’t have time for this!”  take a breath.

This isn’t about you doing all the advisory yourself.
It’s about building the capability inside your firm.

You might start the conversation but your team can carry it forward.

In fact, most of the firms I work with are empowering senior staff, managers, even juniors to step into advisory using a structured, coach-style approach. And they’re loving it.It’s not about being a “natural” at advisory.
It’s about having a repeatable process and the confidence to use it.

Start with the Menu Not the Meal

You don’t have to pitch a 12-month strategy.
You just need to start with a conversation:

“Where is your client’s business now, and where do they want it to be?”

That’s the question behind our Advisory Strategy Session.

In one focused session, we help you unpack what advisory could really look like inside your firm and map out a 90-day action plan that gets everyone (yes, your team too) on the same page.

Want a sneak peek?

Download the Advisory Unpack Template it’s the exact tool we use to kick off the conversation.

Ready to Put Advisory on the Menu?

If you’re ready to move past the bread and water and serve something more meaningful, here’s how to start:

Let’s upgrade what you offer and who gets to deliver it.

Because advisory deserves a place on your menu. And your clients are hungry for more.

Ready to start?

[Book Advisory Strategy Session]
[Download Advisory Unpack Template]
[Learn more about Business Metamorphosis®]
[Download FAQs]
[Download ROI Guide]