Practice Insights

The Consulting Process: The engagement letter

Weekly Edition • May 02, 2018

From FFI Practitioner

Thanks to this week’s contributor, Harvey Taraday of TCH Partners LLP for his comprehensive examination of an often utilized but seldom examined step of the consulting process, the engagement letter.

Greiner and Metzger, in their book, Consulting to Management, define management consulting as “an advisory service contracted for and provided to organizations by qualified persons to assist in an objective and independent manner to identify, analyze problems, and recommend solutions to these problems.”

To be successful, all communication must be clear and precise. This is especially important when drafting an engagement letter. Many people forget that the engagement letter defines the mandate for the assignment. This is a contract that you prepare which clarifies the relationship between you and your client. It is your interpretation of the client’s objectives, and your consulting plan must be in a format that the client can understand.

This process need not be intimidating or tedious. When managed properly, the preparation of this letter can provide a clear and definable outline and will set out a solid pattern for successful project execution. Not only can this secure a new consulting engagement, but it will serve as a basis for mutual understanding on how the engagement will be conducted.

“This is a contract that you prepare which clarifies the relationship between you and your client. It is your interpretation of the client’s objectives, and your consulting plan must be in a format that the client can understand.”

Where to start

It is best to break the engagement letter preparation process into manageable pieces.

    1. Content: Ensure that you have all necessary client information related to the project. The context describes the overall view of the assignment with respect to the current situation. Key information should include:

1) Client name

2) Client title

3) Legal name of company and mailing address

4) Clearly state the objective. What is the problem?

a.
An engagement letter will summarize the main components of the assignment. What does the client expect and want from the consultant?
b.
It will outline the project in phases or steps.
c.
Project start dates and project end dates will be documented detailing the number of weeks from start to finish

Where to start

It is best to break the engagement letter preparation process into manageable pieces.

A. Content: Ensure that you have all necessary client information related to the project. The context describes the overall view of the assignment with respect to the current situation. Key information should include:

1) Client name

2) Client title

3) Legal name of company and mailing address

4) Clearly state the objective. What is the problem?

a. An engagement letter will summarize the main components of the assignment. What does the client expect and want from the consultant?

b. It will outline the project in phases or steps.

c. Project start dates and project end dates will be documented detailing the number of weeks from start to finish

5)
All the relevant information necessary to write the proposal and the document should provide clear answers to:
a.
What has the client been doing about the issue?
b.
What help is being requested of the consultant?
c.
Are there any background documents or any work that should be referenced?

 

6)
Document your thoughts surrounding the current family and/or business context

 

7)
Assign objectives, tasks, and deliverables
a.
What is to be accomplished upon completion of the project?

 

8) Desired end result

a.
What are the specific client expectations?
b.
What is it exactly the client wants to achieve?
5)
All the relevant information necessary to write the proposal and the document should provide clear answers to:

 

a. What has the client been doing about the issue?

b. What help is being requested of the consultant?

c. Are there any background documents or any work that should be referenced?

6) Document your thoughts surrounding the current family and/or business context

7) Assign objectives, tasks, and deliverables

a. What is to be accomplished upon completion of the project?

8) Desired end result

a. What are the specific client expectations?

b. What is it exactly the client wants to achieve?

The engagement letter describes the main objectives from the client perspective. Remember that detailing the background context of the engagement will help you concentrate on the essence of the assignment. Also, it gives the client an opportunity to reflect on whether or not these are the problems that should be addressed. This helps to educate the client on what to expect from the relationship. If a misunderstanding has occurred, this gives you chance to renegotiate the engagement.

B. Additional information: Ask yourself, what else should the letter include? For example:

9)
Assignments must be documented and listed in chronological order. Here the consultant can explain in some detail the specific steps to be taken to accomplish the work. This helps the client to understand how you are going to investigate the issue, e.g., through interviews or outside research.

 

10)
When client resources and personnel are needed, the task description should include such reference.
a.
Budgeted hours and dollars
b.
Estimated total costs
c.
Potential future work

 

Professional fees charged plus disbursements as well as billing frequency must be documented. The engagement letter should identify the fees to be charged.

The engagement letter describes the main objectives from the client perspective. Remember that detailing the background context of the engagement will help you concentrate on the essence of the assignment. Also, it gives the client an opportunity to reflect on whether or not these are the problems that should be addressed. This helps to educate the client on what to expect from the relationship. If a misunderstanding has occurred, this gives you chance to renegotiate the engagement.

B. Additional information: Ask yourself, what else should the letter include? For example:

9) Assignments must be documented and listed in chronological order. Here the consultant can explain in some detail the specific steps to be taken to accomplish the work. This helps the client to understand how you are going to investigate the issue, e.g., through interviews or outside research.

10) When client resources and personnel are needed, the task description should include such reference.

a. Budgeted hours and dollars

b. Estimated total costs.

c. Potential future work

Professional fees charged plus disbursements as well as billing frequency must be documented. The engagement letter should identify the fees to be charged.

C. Confidentiality and Deliverables

The engagement letter needs to describe that this assignment will be done on a confidential basis. If the consultant is a member of an organization, refer to its confidentiality rules. This helps to build trust with your client.

C. Confidentiality and Deliverables

The engagement letter needs to describe that this assignment will be done on a confidential basis. If the consultant is a member of an organization, refer to its confidentiality rules. This helps to build trust with your client.

It is very important to include a description and list of project deliverables in the engagement letter. Deliverables describe the feedback and reports that the client will be given. It is here that the major outcomes to be expected are outlined. Depending on the engagement, deliverables can be communicated to the client at various stages of the assignment, either verbally or in writing or at the completion of the engagement in writing. Remember to cross-reference the deliverables to the tasks described previously.

An opportunity

The engagement letter is your first opportunity to formally engage the client and ensure that both of you understand and are working toward the same objective. It offers a chance to refine goals and tweak any changes that need to be made. This engagement letter helps you gain client commitment for the project. It is the gateway to adding value to your current practice. Preparation of an engagement letter will help to ensure that the client’s objectives are being met with your work plan and to maintain your firm’s high-quality standards.

About the contributor

Harvey Taraday, FFI Fellow, is a partner with TCH Partners LLP in Toronto, Canada. He helps family business clients prosper financially and works with them to help grow their human and intellectual capital. He is a member of the FFI Practitioner editorial committee and can be reached at hgt@tchllp.com.

About TCH Partners LLP

TCH Partners LLP, is a firm of chartered accountants who provide state of the art family succession, tax and estate planning for families in business.

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