Why professional services providers can be a natural fit for advisory boards

Professionals in accounting, law, and other advisory-based services often spend their careers solving complex problems, navigating regulation, and guiding clients through high-stakes decisions. Yet, despite this deep expertise, many don’t immediately consider just how valuable their skill sets are within an advisory board context.

Advisory boards are increasingly being used by organisations of all sizes to inform strategy, manage complexity, and bring independent, informed perspectives to the table. And while these boards are often made up of diverse individuals across sectors, professional services providers, such as accountants, lawyers, consultants and risk specialists, have an important and often under-recognised role to play.

BRINGING MORE THAN ONE SKILL SET TO THE TABLE

Veronica Beilby, FCA and Senior Engagement Manager at the Advisory Board Centre, has seen this transition firsthand, both through her own journey and in her work with professionals exploring advisory board opportunities.

Starting her career in audit and financial reporting, Veronica expanded into leadership roles that included financial control, lecturing, and strategic engagement. It was this multidimensional background, not just her accounting credentials, that made her well suited for advisory work.

“As I’ve progressed through my career, I’ve gained knowledge in accounting and business from my initial beginnings in audit to financial reporting and financial control, to lecturing and teaching and now on to other aspects of leadership and management,” Veronica says.

“What I like about the advisory boards space is that this is a forum where you can bring more than just one skill set to the table, and contribute these extra skills and experience in a way that is really helpful and impactful to a founder, executive leadership team, charity or an NGO.”

RECOGNISING YOUR VALUE

Professionals from structured, compliance-focused backgrounds often excel in advisory environments because they are process-driven and grounded in frameworks. This mindset helps organisations think more clearly, operate more ethically, and measure impact more effectively.

One of the most common challenges Veronica hears from professionals entering the advisory space is self-doubt.

“As a Chartered Accountant myself, I know this feeling,” she shares. “Accountants can sometimes undervalue the work we do because it’s ‘just what we do’ or ‘it’s part of the job’. However, accountants and finance professionals have so much to contribute to advisory boards. We are process-driven and highly attuned to following best practice frameworks, and what we often find simple can be very complex to others.”

This is especially true for founders or executives who are visionary and innovative, but may not have a strong handle on governance, compliance or structure. Advisory board members from professional services backgrounds help provide guardrails without stifling innovation. They add rigor to the conversation, often simply by asking the right questions following certain frameworks.

Moreover, these professionals understand the balance between independence and influence. They’re trained to be advisors, not decision-makers, which aligns perfectly with the non-binding, high-trust model of advisory boards.

A PATHWAY THROUGH PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT

Veronica’s first formal experience with advisory structures came through her long-standing involvement with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), where she served on the UK Council, eventually stepping into Chair and Vice Chair roles.

“When I moved to the UK, I was looking for a way to volunteer my time for my profession and joined the Council, where I had the opportunity to get to know how advisory boards work.”

She later deepened her engagement by completing the Certified Chair™ Executive Program, the Advisory Board Centre’s global credential for professionals leading advisory boards. The program equips individuals with a clear methodology, ethical framework, and practical tools to establish and chair effective advisory boards.

UNLOCKING NEW OPPORTUNITIES

For many in professional services, advisory board roles offer a way to contribute meaningfully beyond day-to-day practice. These roles can complement existing careers or serve as a powerful pivot into portfolio work, especially for those seeking a new professional chapter.

Advisory board positions are not limited to large corporations. Government departments, family businesses, startups, charities and NGOs are all increasingly turning to advisory boards for guidance. In these settings, professionals with legal, financial or strategic backgrounds can provide the steady, analytical perspective that helps leaders make better decisions.

Veronica encourages others in similar professions to reframe how they think about their own value:

“Perhaps it’s time to rethink how valuable your accounting, finance and other professional services skills could be to advisory boards supporting corporates, government agencies and non-for-profit organisations.”

STARTING YOUR OWN ADVISORY JOURNEY

If you’ve ever thought about how your experience might translate into a broader strategic role, or if you’re looking for a way to engage at board level without the legal responsibilities of governance, advisory boards may be the ideal path.

The Certified Chair™ Executive Program provides a structured pathway for experienced professionals to transition into advisory board roles with confidence. Recognised globally, the program offers practical tools, ethical frameworks, and professional credibility to support you in creating and leading high-value advisory boards. It’s also CPD accredited.

Keen to explore what your advisory career could look like? Learn more about the program here.

Interested in creating an advisory board for your organisation? Get support from our Advisory+ team

If you’re setting up an advisory board for the first time – or reassessing or reviewing an existing one – the Advisory Board Centre’s Advisory+ service can help you get it right. This global, independent service assists with scoping, model selection, charter development, and member identification, board recruitment, and board reviews all aligned to best practice. It’s already helped more than 2000 organisations create advisory boards that deliver measurable value.

Whether you’re a founder looking for strategic insight, a governance board seeking external expertise, or a senior executive leading change, Advisory+ can provide the guidance and connections you need to establish a board that works for your organisation.

This article is part of the Advisors Insights series from the Advisory Board Centre, providing real-world stories and guidance from professionals shaping the future of the advisory sector.