Connected Leadership in Action

The evolution of outsourcing is captured in the work of Praxity’s Outsourcing Working Group, chaired by Jill Morris, Partner at PM+M. The group was established to leverage outsourcing more strategically across the Alliance. 

Like almost every aspect of the accounting and advisory industry, the move to digital-first is transforming operations and service delivery. As such, outsourcing is evolving from a transactional back-office process to a strategic, collaborative function, central to business expansion. Praxity’s Outsourcing working group sits at the forefront of this evolution with an ethos that mirrors that of the wider collective; a tight-knit alliance of independent firms, united by trust, a commitment to client success, and powered by technology. 

The work underway within the working group brings to life this new model of connected leadership.

Jill shared the example of a UK headquartered company, undergoing rapid international expansion, facing a common yet complex challenge: how to remain locally compliant in new markets without friction or loss of agility. Without dedicated staff in the UK (aside from a sales and operations lead), the US based parent firm needed a fully outsourced solution for its US entity that could cover everything from VAT and corporation tax to payroll, audit and statutory filings.

Through the power of the Alliance, PM+M were able to step in and deliver end-to-end services locally, but critically, they did so while able to integrate directly into the client’s global systems. By leveraging the same cloud-based tech stack as their U.S. counterparts, complete with embedded AI for data integrity, invoice automation, and real-time reporting, they ensured compliance without sacrificing efficiency. “It’s not just a tick box exercise for tax,” shared Jill, “it’s about giving clients insights and local expertise.”

Jill shared another example of a flooring company expanding into Switzerland for installation work. While shipping goods would not require VAT registration, the provision of products on-site triggered new obligations. Within days, PM+M connected the client with their Swiss counterpart, Haussmann Treuhand, another Praxity member, who handled registration, submissions and compliance. When the same client expanded into Ireland, the Alliance was able to step in again, this time to manage full outsourcing, through McInerney Saunders in Ireland.

These cross-border collaborations aren’t commissioned or white labelled, but rather offered as is the spirit of Praxity, with reciprocity and trust. Each firm maintains its independence, engaging directly with clients, with visibility through cloud platforms. The absence of shared revenue between firms ensures that recommendations are driven by capability, and not borne out of a commercial obligation.

This cross-border connection and collaboration wouldn’t be possible without the technology that underpins it, “Cloud accounting systems have completely reshaped what’s possible,” Jill explains, “AI is now embedded in our software tools that are used to deliver our services. These tools use AI in various ways to auto-validate invoices, flag anomalies, provide analysis of documents and reduce human error and security risks when working with external teams. For example, we no longer need access to clients’ bank accounts to provide a payments service. The result? Real-time, low-risk automation.”

The advantage for member firms extends way beyond purely client service. Within the outsourcing working group, member firms meet quarterly and sometimes monthly, to share updates on regional compliance shifts, evolving client needs, and innovations in tech. These sessions include peer spotlights, pricing discussions, and even strategy for onboarding new clients.

The working groups within Praxity offer a more focused strategic enablement but champion the vision of the wider Alliance, facilitating opportunity through collaboration. “We’re not a global firm,” said one partner, “but we can act like one, unrestricted by the bureaucracy that is often a mark of a large international company.”

By making introductions to trusted experts in different jurisdictions, the Alliance allows the client to grow with confidence and member firms to succeed together, bringing to life the idea of connected leadership in the digital age. Using the power of cloud technology, global reach and strategic relationships, firms can not only meet the demands of global clients but also redefine what it means to lead with connection in a tech-enabled world.

We believe that excellence is a habit practiced every day. When speaking with a client, we first seek to listen and deeply understand. Then, we can take an informed decision, crafting a bespoke solution that goes above and beyond the client's expectations. Every challenge is unique, and our Member Firms continuously refine their approach, innovating and adapting to deliver world-class solutions informed by our wealth of expertise.

Visit: www.praxity.com