[← All guides](https://clarveni.com/guides) Example scenario Choose an example [Technology](https://clarveni.com/guides/an-example-weekly-brief) [Retail](https://clarveni.com/guides/a-retail-weekly-brief) [Manufacturing](https://clarveni.com/guides/a-manufacturing-weekly-brief) [Professional services](https://clarveni.com/guides/a-professional-services-weekly-brief) Written example · Fictional businesses and evidence. This scenario uses an older editorial layout: the owner and report-back lines, notes on earlier briefs, the set-aside list and the counts are not part of the emailed brief. [Read the example brief](https://clarveni.com/examples/weekly-brief) Merefield / The weekly brief Example edition Monday brief · 28 September 2026 Merefield Accountants · Accountancy for local, owner-managed businesses This week’s recommendationCheck what clients need. Then review your offer. ================================================ **Alderwick has bought a payroll practice. Hollis has published a new fixed-fee package.** Both give Merefield something to investigate, but neither is a reason to rush out a new service or cut fees. Check recent client enquiries, review your payroll referral arrangement and compare what the new package actually includes. 4organisations followed 5developments reviewed 2decisions for this week [1 / The payroll question](#payroll)[2 / The fixed-fee package](#package)[What can wait](#watchlist)[Coverage](#coverage)1Alderwick Advisory Competitor Service offering Find out whether the payroll gap is yours. ------------------------------------------ The acquisition changes what Alderwick owns. It doesn’t yet tell us what Merefield’s clients are missing. Alderwick has announced its acquisition of Brindle Payroll. Its announcement says the businesses will offer accountancy and payroll support together. It doesn’t set out the combined service, prices or timetable for bringing the teams together. Merefield already refers payroll enquiries to Fenmere People. The useful question is whether that arrangement meets clients’ needs. A single provider may sound convenient, but changing the service would also mean taking on work, responsibility and staffing costs. Start with the enquiries your team has received and where referrals have needed extra help. What to do this week**Review recent payroll enquiries and the current referral arrangement.** Ask the client services lead to check the questions clients raised, how they were handled and whether anything remained unresolved. Speak to Fenmere about any recurring gaps. Recommend whether to improve the referral process, investigate a new service or keep the present arrangement. **Owner** Client Services, with the Managing Partner**Report back on** Client enquiries and referral gaps · Monday 5 October 2026 Source note · Reported on 25 September 2026Illustrative source: Alderwick Advisory’s acquisition announcement, published 25 September 2026. It supports the acquisition and stated intention to offer the services together. It doesn’t establish customer demand, the final package or any change to Merefield’s client relationships. 2Hollis Practice Competitor Fees & scope Compare the work included, not just the fee. -------------------------------------------- Hollis’s new package could change the comparison clients make. Check whether it covers the same needs. Hollis’s public service page now advertises a fixed monthly fee for bookkeeping, annual accounts and a quarterly review. Payroll is excluded. The page doesn’t explain how extra advice is charged or which limits apply as a client’s business grows. Merefield’s priority is dependable support without overstretching the team. Before changing fees, compare the package with three existing client needs: a straightforward annual accounts service, regular bookkeeping support and a growing business that often needs advice between reviews. Ask the team to make that comparison using its own records. What to do this week**Set out what each offer includes, excludes and leaves unclear.** Check where Merefield does more work and whether clients can see that in the proposal. Recommend clearer wording where it would help. Flag any fee question for a separate review of the work and cost involved. **Owner** Practice Manager, with Client Services**Report back on** Three client comparisons · Monday 5 October 2026 Source note · Observed between 21 September 2026 and 25 September 2026Illustrative source: Hollis Practice’s public service page. The package was absent on 21 September 2026 and visible on 25 September 2026. The exact change date is unknown. This shows the published offer, not existing clients’ contracts, negotiated fees or charges for work outside the package. For the leadership reviewKeep the two questions separate. -------------------------------- Payroll is a question about client need and how to meet it. The fixed-fee package is a question about scope and how clearly Merefield explains its offer. Discuss both, but don’t let a competitor’s acquisition become the reason for an unrelated fee change. Reviewed and set asideTwo developments that can wait. ------------------------------- Brindle PayrollTraining webinar announced on 23 September 2026. Routine topics; no separate change to its service described. Fenmere PeopleLocal office move announced on 24 September 2026. No stated change to the referral service; include any practical questions in the payroll review. CoverageWhat still needs checking. -------------------------- This example covers news from all four organisations and selected pricing pages for Alderwick and Hollis. Brindle and Fenmere don’t publish fees in the example. Client enquiries, referral outcomes and the cost of delivering Merefield’s services need checking by the team. Those answers should shape the next decision. End of brief · Merefield Accountants · 28 September 2026