Based in Lyon, Praugec were in the first wave of the firms to join BOKS International, becoming members back in 2017. Founded in 2005 it opened it’s second office in 2015 and continues its growth by maintaining a high level of accounting expertise, responsive closure of balance sheets and its availability for public accounting.

We asked Christopher Thomas to answer our questions on some key issues in the accounting sector:

In your opinion, what is the future for the accounting profession?
Traditional (bookkeeping and establishing financial statements) tasks are becoming less and less significant in our business. Automatic processes (OCR, IA, etc..) are quickly replacing manual treatments.

Personalized and high value advices to our clients are all the more important in this new competitive market. Future accounting firms will be composed by a large majority of highly skilled experts to meet these demands.

What is your growth strategy?
We aim at developing the company at a steady but progressive way so that we keep our high quality standards and maintain our reactivity. Our main concern is to keep our good reputation on the local market. Therefore, we focus on quality of new clients instead of quantity.

Where do you see your firm 5 years from now?
To remain a local reference for high quality service (both local and International companies) with a 30 % growth as compared as today.

What is your biggest challenge?
Human resources with new skills and adaptability to match the future changes of the accounting market.

What percentage of your work is international?
Currently around 20%, we expect to reach 40 % in 5 years.

What business advisory services do you offer?
Due diligence, outsourcing, assistance to internal control, Sox, etc …

What was your main driver for being part of BOKS International?
Equally to provide foreign assistance for our clients with accounting firms similar to us (size and quality of work) and develop assistance to international companies in France.

Where do you see BOKS International 5 years from now?
Top 10 international networks.

How would you describe your typical client?
50 % is represented by French SME. The other 50 % is composed by a variety of foreign companies, start-ups, subsidiaries of listed companies, subsidiaries of banks, etc …

Tell us about a recent international assignment
Assistance to reporting (IFRS) and tax package of a French subsidiary of a worldwide company.

How do you target clients who are looking for international services?
Subsidiaries of foreign worldwide companies.

Do you specialise in a particular sector or service?
Main sectors: Healthcare, IT, Start-up & Industry. Services: Various assistance to financial departments of large companies and outsourcing (IFRS & US Gaap)