Eversheds has instructed Accenture to review its systems and process in a move which could lead to a new round of redundancies at the firm.

The UK top 10 firm brought in the consultancy at the beginning of the year to look at ways to streamline and improve back office finance and HR systems. Accenture will present a number of options to Eversheds' management over the summer, with a decision set to be made later this year.

According to RollOnFriday, one option will include outsourcing work to India, which could result in the firm's fifth round of redundancies round since September 2008. The firm's Birmingham base, which houses a large number of back office finance staff, could be a potential target for cuts.

Eversheds managing partner Lee Ranson is leading the project alongside finance director Kathryn Fleming and head of HR Angus MacGregor.

Ranson said: "Eversheds is very focused on the need to provide services that are cost-effective and of the highest quality to support our lawyers and clients. As part of this, Eversheds is currently reviewing options for delivering certain back office financial and HR support operations."

He added: "We are working in partnership with market-leading process improvement specialists Accenture to examine a number of options. No final decisions have been taken. If any decisions that potentially impact our people are made our first priority will be to communicate directly with our people."

Eversheds' last round of redundancies came in September last year, with 117 roles reviewed including 22 fee earners in the firm's real estate practice.