5 ways top professional services firms are closing the communication gap

The global professional services industry is projected to grow from $6.5B to $10.3B by 2032, driven by rising business complexity, rapid technological change, and evolving regulatory frameworks. 

But as the industry expands, so does the competition. Today’s clients are savvier, price sensitivity is increasing, and professional services firms are under mounting pressure to deliver clear value and measurable ROI in every engagement.

To keep pace, consulting, accounting, auditing and tax advisory firms must deliver high-quality, compliant services faster and more efficiently—without increasing costs or compromising client trust.

The only way to meet these demands is through stronger communication—both internally across global teams and externally with clients, partners, and regulators. Without it, firms risk lost billable hours, reputational damage, and the missed opportunities for growth.

Communication breakdowns cost more than you think

Poor communication is dragging down performance across the board. It’s costing businesses upwards of $37,440 per employee per year, with 90% of employees losing up to two hours a day dealing with its consequences.

From unclear briefs and reworked audit reports, to inconsistent terminology and missed context, outdated translation workflows are having a direct impact on professional services firms. As teams scale across regions and languages, they’re finding manual processes unable to keep up with the speed and accuracy required.

The result? Delays, inconsistencies, and reduced confidence across every aspect of the business.

It’s no surprise that more firms are turning to AI to help close the communication gap. As Klaus Schmidt, Partner at PwC and DeepL customer, puts it in DeepL's state of enterprise AI webinar, "AI is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really reshape how this profession looks like going forward.”

AI is changing the game—but caution remains 

The professional services industry is rapidly embracing the potential of AI, a trend that has accelerated sharply since the release of ChatGPT in 2022. In fact, 23% have already adopted GenAI, and 81% believe it has clear applications for their work.

But despite growing momentum, hesitation remains. According to DeepL industry research, 70% of professional services leaders are concerned about translation accuracy, while 68% cite data security as a key barrier to adoption. Others point to privacy and confidentiality (62%), regulatory compliance (60%), and even ethical considerations (57%) as reasons to proceed with caution.

When the stakes are especially high—such as submitting regulatory filings, translating client contracts, or localizing audit documentation—AI tools and their workflows must not only be fast and effective, they must also be secure, auditable, and compliant.

"AI is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really reshape how this profession looks like going forward.”

Klaus Schmidt Partner at PwC and DeepL customer

Language AI: 5 professional services use cases

Language AI delivers efficiency, accuracy, and security at scale. 

It bridges the gap where traditional translation workflows—whether reliant on agencies or internal teams—can no longer keep up with growing global demand.

Here are 5 practical ways professional services firms are using Language AI to close the communication gap:

#1: Fast, accurate, and scalable translations

Deliver proposals, presentations, engagement letters, reports, statements of work (SOWs), and service updates in your clients’ native languages. Translate directly from formats like PDFs, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel—while preserving original layout and formatting.

#2: Better business writing Produce clear, concise, and easy-to-understand communication across teams and client-facing materials. Simplify complex, technical terminology to ensure messages land effectively with non-specialist audiences.

"DeepL has had a tremendous impact on our day-to-day translations, not only resulting in cost savings for clients, but also making our projects run more efficiently.”

Anodri Suchdeve  Senior Manager at Deloitte and DeepL customer

#3: Simplified multilingual research Streamline the translation of research, market insights, and data-driven reports—reducing manual effort and enabling faster, more informed decision-making. 

#4: Internal knowledge-sharing and onboarding Support global teams with clear, localized onboarding materials, training guides, and internal communications. Ensure every employee—regardless of location or language—stays aligned, informed, and empowered to do their best work.

#5: Regulation and compliance documentation Translate sensitive regulatory materials securely to ensure accuracy and traceability across jurisdictions.Minimize the risk of misinterpretation, reduce reliance on manual reviews, and navigate complex global frameworks with confidence.

Real-world impact: Spindox

As a technology consulting firm working with global enterprises, Spindox operates at the intersection of professional services and digital transformation. By integrating DeepL into a client’s multilingual client platform, it enabled teams to collaborate across languages in real time—eliminating the need for English as an intermediary. With the help of DeepL, Spindox was able to:

• Break down language barriers: teams now collaborate in real time, without relying on English as a workaround.
• Enable global growth: DeepL’s consistent translation quality helped Spindox's client scale internationally with confidence.
• Free teams to focus on innovation: with manual translation removed, employees can concentrate on solving problems—not on deciphering content.

 Read the full story

Confidence starts with security

The promise of AI is real—but so are the risks. Professional services firms are navigating an increasingly complex environment: clients expect speed and insight, regulators demand transparency, and internal systems must remain secure and auditable at all times.

But organizations shouldn’t have to choose between progress and protection. 

It’s crucial to find AI tools with security at their core—designed to help you move faster, communicate more effectively, and stay fully compliant with the standards that matter most. All while giving your teams the freedom to innovate with confidence.

Make your next move the right one

Given the unique demands of global professional services firms, the time is right for Language AI. But before moving forward, it’s essential to evaluate any platform carefully to ensure it meets the highest standards for security, compliance, and long-term scalability.