Fiona Tait: The advice business outsourcing debate

Advisers perhaps more than most tend to subscribe to the ‘if you want something done well. Do it yourself approach', but with nine in 10 firms still employing five or fewer staff, according to official regulatory data, this simply isn't sustainable without outside help. Like many firms we have found ourselves gradually outsourcing more of the ancillary functions of our business, leaving us free to concentrate on the provision of advice but how can we be sure this is the right thing to do? Outsourcing undoubtedly delivers improved expertise but it comes at a cost, and we should never s...