Eversheds calls in bluechip consultant Accenture to advise on potential shake-up of finance and HR functions

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

The UK top 10 law 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.

One option will include outsourcing work to India, which could result in the firm's fifth round of redundancies since September 2008. The firm's Birmingham arm, 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 confirmed: "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."