My friend Al is a sole practitioner with seven staff members and a thriving audit practice, besides the typical tax and small business tax clients. He is getting older, and while he has no plans to retire and is actively trying to grow his practice, he periodically meets with larger firms to see if there is an interest in acquiring his practice when that day comes. By doing this he stumbled on a fantastic business development formula.

Pricing the accounting firm in an acquisition

Armanino LLP is expanding its presence to Dallas by combining with Travis Wolff, effective Jan. 1, 2017.

Crowe Horwath has reached an agreement with Crowe GHP Horwath for the Denver accounting and consulting firm’s people and operations to join Crowe on Jan. 1, 2017.

Joel Sinkin of Transition Advisors explains in this video why firms need detailed, comprehensive ownership agreements that actually describe the firm itself.

Many CPA firms have been expanding rapidly, both organically and through mergers and acquisitions. This has included significant geographic expansion beyond the firms’ core locations. It has also included expanding into new areas such as IT-related advisory services.

Baldwin CPAs is expanding in Central Kentucky by merging in Humphrey & Co. PLLC in Lexington.

Cole, Newton & Duran, a firm based in Livonia, Mich., is acquiring two other firms in the Detroit area, Michael G. Thomas CPA and Bartos, Hoffer, Lustig & Tomes, PC.

Joel Sinkin of Transition Advisors explains in this video why the location of a firm is a major factor in its M&A opportunities and value.

Joel Sinkin of Transition Advisors discusses in this video how the retention period can be a key factor when buying or selling an accounting firm.