Episode 147: How to Sell an Accounting Business: Insights for Buyers and Sellers with Brannon Poe
Sep 26, 2023
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In this episode of Thrivecast, expert Brannon Poe discusses the challenges buyers face when sellers decide not to sell and offers insights on gathering crucial information. They explore the strategies employed by progressive firms, retirement and succession planning, and the changing game for future generations. The importance of accountants specializing in margin analysis, cost structure, and pricing services is also highlighted.
Building a firm involves strategic decision-making and evaluation of pricing, team structure, and service offerings to overcome growth ceilings and achieve scalability.
The value of an accounting firm is influenced by factors such as location, profitability, owner hours worked, specialized niche, team culture, and reduced client dependency on the owner.
Selling an accounting firm requires thorough preparation to create a compelling package, emphasizing financials, value proposition, team culture, and infrastructure to attract the right buyer.
Deep dives
The journey of building a firm and overcoming growth ceilings
Building a firm is a journey with different stages of growth, starting from a startup and progressing through various levels. As the firm grows, it often hits growth ceilings that require pruning and strategic decision-making to break through. This involves evaluating pricing, client base, team structure, and service offerings. A key milestone is reaching the five million revenue mark, where the owner's role becomes less dependent on day-to-day operations. This allows for more scalability and potential for faster growth.
Factors influencing the value of a firm
The value of a firm is determined by several factors, including location, profitability, owner hours worked, and the mix of services offered. Firms located in larger metropolitan areas or cloud-based firms tend to have more potential buyers and higher values. Profitability and lower owner hours worked are also attractive to buyers. Specialization in a niche industry within the cloud space can significantly impact the value of a firm. Additionally, factors like strong team culture, curb appeal (such as a modern tech stack and cloud-based operations), and reduced client dependency on the owner can also drive up firm value.
Preparing a firm for sale
Selling a firm involves thorough preparation to create a compelling package for potential buyers. This includes evaluating the financials of the practice, adding back owner's renumeration and discretionary expenses, as well as reviewing the firm's mix of services and client base. The goal is to highlight the firm's value proposition and resonate with the right buyer while filtering out incompatible buyers. Additionally, a focus on team culture, infrastructure, and strategic planning can enhance the overall curb appeal and attractiveness of the firm to potential buyers.
Challenges and opportunities for cloud firms
Cloud-based firms offer unique growth potential and niche specialization opportunities. The rapid growth rates associated with cloud firms make them attractive to buyers. However, the cash flow of cloud firms can be impacted due to the upfront investments required for growth. Overall, the market is seeing an increasing number of buyers interested in cloud firms, which may lead to higher multiples and stronger terms for sellers.
Considering debt and financing
While specific data on debt levels in accounting firms is not available, it is generally observed that most firms do not carry significant debt. Debt levels tend to be higher for firms that have undertaken multiple acquisitions. When selling a firm, the seller often has to pay off existing debts with the proceeds of the sale. Accounting firms generally tend to be more risk-averse when it comes to taking on debt compared to industries like digital marketing agencies.
In the new episode of Thrivecast, Jason Blumer and Brannon Poe dive deep into the world of buying and selling businesses, exploring the frustrations buyers face when sellers decide not to sell. They also discuss the efforts made to ensure that sellers are truly ready to sell and the support offered to help them prepare their practice.
Brannon shares insights on gathering crucial information through inquiry and tax returns, highlighting what exactly gets added back in the process. He'll uncover the challenges faced by traditional firms with overworked owners who are resistant to change and stuck in their ways.
But it's not all about the obstacles - Jason and Brannon also uncover the strategies employed by progressive firms that are thriving in today's market. From the risks involved in earnouts to the importance of buyer motivation in maintaining the practice, they leave no stone unturned.
But the focus of this episode isn't just limited to the world of accounting firms. They also explore the shifting landscape of retirement and succession planning and the importance of building teams that can operate without the owner. Jason and Brannon uncover the common mistakes made by baby boomers and how the game is changing for future generations.
Listen in on the discussion of the crucial role of accountants specializing in areas like margin analysis, cost structure, and pricing services. Jason and Brannon share a specific example of someone who needs assistance in these aspects and how they can find the right accountant. Brannon sheds light on the different levels of growth for accounting firms and the factors that contribute to their value growth. Jason and Brannon will discuss the options firms have - focusing on higher-level advisory work or automation and specialization - and the importance of finding the right niche.
Get ready for lots of knowledge and insights in the newest episode of Thrivecast!
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