The major economies of the world are currently experiencing seismic change as recession, unstable oil prices, unemployment, collapsing property markets and fierce global competition dominate the markets. In these conditions, companies must work harder than ever to keep their bottom line in the black. Challenging times inevitably throw up opportunities as well as problems, and opportunities abound now for business management consultants, accountants, financial planners, insurance providers, mortgage brokers and others in the accountancy and financial sector.

Franchises and business opportunities in accounting and financial services vary widely, in nature as much as in revenue potential. A bookkeeper can set up a home-based enterprise, usually servicing other small business owners who do not have the time to manage their accounts. Investment in a bookkeeping franchise will bring many benefits for the bookkeeper, including strategies for promoting his/her business and the know-how that an experienced franchise partner can provide. Expense reduction consultants, now much in demand as companies look for ways to cut costs, provide clients with a multitude of services: developing short- and long-term budgets, analyzing fixed and variable overhead, increasing employee productivity and developing expense reduction strategies to meet each client’s specific needs.

The most powerful marketing asset that expense reduction specialists have is the fact that through accurate analysis of business operations, they can save clients from 2 to 50 times their consulting fees in expense reduction savings. Companies wishing to lease instead of purchase expensive equipment use leasing agents who have access to a range of leasing companies and financial institutions and will choose the one offering the best lease rates and terms for each client. Revenue is generated for the leasing agent by charging the financial lenders a fee or a commission based on the value of the total lease amount. Increasingly complicated tax returns are prompting people to use professional tax preparers, and 62% of Americans now do so.

Each year more individuals are required to file tax returns than the year before. The IRS estimates that the number of prepared tax returns will increase from 134 million to over 146 million in the next eight years. There are many other franchise opportunities in the accounting and financial services industry, with investment starting from around $15,000. Business will always need those who follow the numbers, in good times or bad. As George Bernard Shaw put it, "Money is indeed the most important thing in the world..."!