A glimpse into the future of tax and business consulting – Interview with Antoinette Hiebeler-Hasner and Jan-Menko Grummer from the Afileon Advisory Board

The tax consultancy, auditing and legal consulting industry is facing far-reaching changes: Digitalisation, increasing regulatory requirements and a shortage of skilled specialists require innovative solutions. This is precisely where Afileon comes in – with the aim of establishing forward-looking tax consultancy with the best possible service for SMEs.

In order to strategically shape this change, the corporate group is supported by experienced experts on an Advisory Board: Antoinette Hiebeler-Hasner and Jan-Menko Grummer have decades of experience in the industry and are accompanying Afileon on its path to becoming a "tax consultancy firm 2.0". In an interview, they talk about their fascination with the industry, the challenges of transformation and their role in the further development of Afileon.

What fascinates you about the tax consultancy, auditing and legal consulting industry?

Jan-Menko Grummer: The advisory services help companies achieve economic success in an increasingly complex world. And successful companies are the basis for the prosperity and freedom of our society. Without auditing there would be no functioning capital market, and without tax consultancy there would be no fair and functioning financing of the state.

Antoinette Hiebeler-Hasner: I've often been asked why I chose tax consultancy – isn't it boring? Never for me! This work allows you to implement tax structures with entrepreneurs, restructure companies and get to know fascinating personalities and families. In addition, the state is constantly creating new regulations that offer tax consultants new opportunities to support clients with up-to-date services. Boredom? Not a chance!

Why did you both decide to work with Afileon?

Antoinette Hiebeler-Hasner: To have the opportunity to help shape a modern, innovative and technologically advanced tax consultancy firm from scratch – I found this such an exciting challenge that I decided to join Afileon.

Jan-Menko Grummer: Tax consultancy is characterised by massive changes due to digitalisation, increasingly complex regulatory frameworks and recruitment problems. These issues cannot be resolved without first transforming the profession. Afileon is keen to take up this challenge and build the tax consultancy firm 2.0, which is both an exciting and challenging task. This is precisely where I can contribute my decades of experience in an agile and innovation-driven environment. The opportunity to help shape a sustainable, leading tax consultancy firm here is unique.

Your professional careers have taken you through many exciting stages – what experiences have had a particular impact on you?

Jan-Menko Grummer: It's difficult to say what has particularly shaped me, as many impressions contribute to this. Alongside exciting mandates, responsibility for employees played a major part in this demanding service. Understanding the potential that an open, agile working atmosphere can offer was particularly formative for me. I think that Afileon can set standards here right from the outset.

Antoinette Hiebeler-Hasner: Every job has left its mark on me. At KPMG, I learnt how to solve tasks for clients in a structured and efficient way. As a freelancer, I was keen to work more closely with clients and develop creative solutions. In a growing law firm, it became apparent that many partners are advancing commercial goals, but that it's often difficult to coordinate content. Following the sale to an international consultancy, I was responsible for their German business and gained an insight into corporate working life. I can now contribute the things I learned from all these phases at Afileon.

What specific areas of expertise or industry knowledge have helped shape you? And how do these contribute to Afileon's strategic direction?

Antoinette Hiebeler-Hasner: I also built up a large auditing firm with partners, which we later sold to an international, private equity-financed consultancy. As such, I have had similar experiences to our partner law firms. My greatest wish is to avoid the mistakes of international consultancies – in particular the restriction of entrepreneurial freedom through centralisation and standardisation.

Jan-Menko Grummer: Having spent almost 30 years at the Big 4, I know the auditing and tax consultancy industry very well. Issues faced by competitors, clients and employees are all more than familiar. It is precisely this experience that is helpful for the strategic direction of Afileon and in helping to implement the digital transformation in operations. In my experience, a transformation is only successful if it is understood and supported by all employees. This requires communication, leadership and trust.

How do you define your main duties and responsibilities within the Advisory Board?

Jan-Menko Grummer: We contribute our experience and perspectives to develop the best solutions for Afileon with creative ideas and proven knowledge. At the same time, we bear responsibility for the successful development of the Group and also support management as a strategic sparring partner.

Antoinette Hiebeler-Hasner: We advise management as sparring partners and understand the practical problems faced by law firms, as well as the mindset of the law firm owners. We put the strategy to the test and refine it in collaboration with the Executive Board.

In what areas do you see the greatest need for advisory services / the greatest challenges for Afileon, and how do you support the company in this?

Antoinette Hiebeler-Hasner: The particular challenge for Afileon is to be recognised as an independent tax consultancy. The aim is for the market to appreciate us for our professional excellence and our great willingness to serve our clients.

Jan-Menko Grummer: Yes, the first step is to set up the platform with all its functionalities and drive digitalisation, while at the same time implementing the many tasks involved in establishing such an organisation. At Afileon, we are pursuing an ambitious agenda and there are daily challenges to overcome. We offer management advice, support and assistance here.

How do you organise the cooperation with management and the partner law firms to ensure effective decision-making?

Jan-Menko Grummer: The workstreams at Afileon are defined in such a way that management, the partner law firms and we as the Advisory Board can all contribute our perspectives and solutions at any time. This agile structure not only ensures that everyone involved is integrated, but also that all decisions are taken at the requisite speed – which gives us an edge over many established competitors.

Antoinette Hiebeler-Hasner: The members of the Advisory Board are involved in all work initiatives with management. When reaching decisions, we always endeavour to take into account the perspective of the partner law firms and Afileon management. After all, only when there is unity will everyone follow the same path.

What trends and developments in the consulting industry do you think are particularly relevant and how should Afileon respond to these?

Antoinette Hiebeler-Hasner: The digital transformation will fundamentally change working life at tax consultancy firms. Certain tasks will simply no longer be required, while new ones will gain in importance. This requires adapted qualifications and means that not all employees can keep up with this change. While young clients demand change, older clients are sceptical about it – so a balancing act needs to be found that convinces both sides here.

Jan-Menko Grummer: I completely agree: the most extensive change will come from the increasing technical possibilities offered by digitalisation. The automation of processes and use of AI will change working methods, structures and requirements to an unprecedented extent. Our stated objective as a modern tax consultancy firm is to stay ahead of the game in this area as a way of optimising our services for clients, employees and thereby also our industrial society.