This paper describes a graduate professional services marketing class which focuses on experiential learning in the context of the accounting profession. It incorporates traditional services marketing theory with development of critical marketing skills as identified by practicing professionals. Ten to fifteen years ago, professional services marketing courses emerged and several pedagogical papers were published (Blanchette, 1996;Gremler, Hoffman, Keaveney & Wright, 2000; McNeilly & Bar, 2001). However, compelling
changes in professional practice and the economic climate have significantly impacted the accountant, resulting in the need to understand a new generation of marketing skills. Emphasis is placed on the role and importance of trust, interpersonal relationships, and understanding of the market and client. Students form "firms" that compete in a structured project where they research the potential client, write a formal response to a proposal, make presentations, and compete with each other for a new client engagement. Included are learning objectives (outcomes), detailed descriptions of instructional exercises, suggested readings and student assessment recommendations.Keywords: Professional Services; Marketing; Accounting; Proposal INTRODUCTION ervice professionals have experienced significant change stemming from the economic recession that started in 2008. Companies faced with cost-cutting initiatives have cut professional services or pressured providers to reduce service fees. Professional service firms have responded to this economic reality by implementing such tactics as value pricing, launching social media efforts, and implementing more customer satisfaction programs (Baker, 2009;Bildstein, 2010;Andrew, 2011). For example, a 2011 survey conducted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants highlights the impact of the economy by reporting that a top issue common to all firm sizes is growth, with bringing in new clients and retaining current clients ranking high in importance (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 2011). More recently the 2013 Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) CPA Firm Top Issues survey noted that accounting firms are pursuing new clients with vigor (Drew, 2013).In response to these and other developments, we propose a contemporary marketing course intended for master-level students entering a profession. Service professionals experience unique marketing challenges. Primary among these is the need for the professional to market their knowledge, capabilities and skills, which form the basis of their market offer. Because the knowledge and skills of service professionals are the product; personal integrity, responsiveness, credentials, experience levels, personalities, communication skills, service attitudes, and other characteristics of the professional are critical attributes sought by the client (Stanny, Anderson, & Nowak, 2000). Challenges include the ever-changing relationship with a client, commoditization of services, emergence ...