Consulting engagements for the internationally prepared suddenly know no geographic boundaries, according to the cover story in the October Practical Accountant. Proactive accounting firms have spent the last few years cultivating contacts and alliances overseas, often through an international association. Networking of firms is helping all kinds of clients take advantage of fluid borders for tax breaks, and the Net and especially e-mail are eliminating the drag of time differences and lost days setting up engagements. Nor should they join an association if the only reason they joined was to receive international referrals.
Associations do seem to offer a ready-made network of affiliate firms and their clients.
A franchisee of an international, U.S.-based fast food chain looked to buy the franchise for a region of the U.K., recalls Almond.