Tax complexity was the top concern of firms with one professional. Their previous No. 1 issue, retention of clients, dropped to No. 2, while bringing in new clients rose to No. 3 for 2011, up from No. 8 two years ago. Keeping its spot at No. 4 was an issue related to complexity: keeping up with accounting and attest standards.
For firms with two to five professionals, the complexity issues moved up from No. 9 on their list in the survey two years ago. Retention of existing clients was this group's No. 2 concern and keeping up with changes to and complexity of tax law was No. 3.
Client retention also came in at No. 2 among those firms with six to 10 professionals. These organizations picked bringing in new clients as the top issue, up from No. 5 the last time the survey was conducted. They put retaining clients at No. 2 and retaining staff at No. 3
Firms with 11 to 20 professionals put an increased emphasis on partner accountability/unity. That issue came in at No. 2, up from the previous No. 7 ranking. Retention of current clients was ranked was No. 3 by these professionals.
Firms with 21 or more professionals selected partner accountability as the No. 1 issue with bringing in new clients at No. 2 and retention of clients at No. 3.