Frequently Asked Questions

Centralised Partnership

• Q:

  Where has this model been done before? Are many practices currently wanting to implement the model?

  A:

  This model has been operating (pre Web, Cloud etc) for over 30 years throughout the North East with up to satellite 15 offices linked to a central hub or head office. There are practices throughout Yorkshire, Cheshire and Lancashire currently implementing (or wanting to implement) the model.

• Q:

  What is the “charge” for Centralised Partnering Service? Is it taken from profit share?

  A:

  There is no management fee charged by the “hub” or head office. It is inherent in the profit share.

• Q:

  How is profit share valued, calculated, distributed?

  A:

  The hub or head office will have a share of the profit from each office 25%, 40% or even 100%. The profit share % age is negotiated for each office’s individual circumstance. This provides a flexible solution for many offices with succession/exit issues.

• Q:

  Why do it through Proctor Partnerships? What are the alternatives and who else is doing it?

  A:

  Proctor Partnerships are working with practices who have over 30 years experience operating a Centralised Partnering model. Some larger/national firms have embarked on the model but invariably in a large national environment each office does not have autonomy and control over its staff, operational procedures, marketing etc. With Centralised Partnering each office may have only relinquished 25% or 40% or profit share, thus overall control is still retained within that local office.

• Q:

  Is there any central marketing for the Group?

  A:

  Many offices prefer to retain their individual identity, it is this and the local service that their existing clients recognise. However marketing help from the hub or head office may be available if requested.

• Q:

  Is the Payroll process operated through Centralised Partnering? What services can the hub or head office offer?

  A:

  Each office can operate its own bureau payroll software and service if so requested, but the hub or head office can provide a payroll bureau, accounts preparation, vat advice and tax strategies advice service if required.

• Q:

  Who determines recruitment and Salaries?

  A:

  Each office operates its own recruitment and salary policy.

• Q:

  What Succession Policy is in operation within the Group? How do youngsters come through?

  A:

  Staff from within the Group can be recruited and allocated to offices to provide succession continuity. Some Centralised Partner providers have future plans to create an academy to train candidates to and from qualification moving towards management and partnership roles.

• Q:

  Is Centralised Partnering operated through a practice or through Proctor Partnerships?

  A:

  Centralised Partnering operates through individual practices throughout the UK. Proctor Parnerships assists those practices with succession issues enabling them to link with practices who are looking to expand their network.

• Q:

  Under Centralised Partnering (using the “Cloud”), are the client details all on one central database or can they remain segregated for each satellite office?

  A:

  Client data can be kept separate for each satellite office. This may depend on IT and the type of software operating in each office. Each office does not have to use the same accounts/tax software although for the possible interchange of staff between offices and potential savings on software support and maintenance costs, using the same supplier/system may help.

• Q:

  Is each office a limited company?

  A:

  The ideal scenario is to have each office as a limited company and the Group operating as an LLP.