Monday 3 September 2012

Accounting Practices for Sale in Alabama

Technology plays an important part in today's accounting practice.  Whether it be the software used for time recording/billing, or applications used for accounts and tax preparation preparation, or simply hardware used to host corporate data and email, technology plays an important role in every modern CPA firm.

However, technology can be complex, and understanding how best to incorporate the technology infrastructure of a firm that has been acquired can be challenging element of the accounting practice sales process.

Synergy is a key concept all business schools discuss when talking about the accounting M&A market.  However,  synergy from an information technology perspective is very seldom easily achieved post acquisition or merger.

The 'buzz' within the technology world at the moment is all about the 'Cloud'.  I met recently with an IT consultant who spends his days on the road visiting potential clients.  I asked him how best I could explain the 'cloud' to those that operate within the accounting and CPA industry.  Within 2 minutes I was lost, and I consider myself to have a fairly decent understanding of technology.

In my quest to find a more non-techy explanation of the cloud, and how it can be of benefit to accounting and tax professionals, I found the following video on You Tube.




What is clear is that Cloud computing offers greater flexibility to businesses, and CPA's and accounting firms involved in acquisitions and mergers may well find a cloud solution a way to resolve the technological issues that arise post completion.

More information on the latest accounting practices for sale in Alabama are now available on the Accounting Practice Exchange website.

Tuesday 28 August 2012

Accounting Practices for Sale New York

What is apparent is having spoken to a number of accounting and tax brokers across the United States is that competition amongst brokers is fierce, particularly in densely populated urban areas such as New York.

Nevertheless this is good news for practitioners looking to sell, with demand exceeding supply, CPA's that possess profitable practices should be in a strong position to not only to find a suitable buyer, but to also negotiate the broker's percentage fee.

CPA's are more aware than ever of the importance of securing the 'right' buyer for their practice, as well as securing terms that ensure risk is minimized.  It's no longer all about the final sales price, and most practitioners are well aware of this.

Practitioners looking to sell should start the information gathering process as soon as practically possible.  Speak to the leading brokers and get a feel for the market.  Check sites such as the Accounting Practice Exchange, who have a dedicated page that focuses on  accounting practices for sale in New York.

Also ensure you regularly visit the same site's 'Wanted for Purchase/Merger' section which displays the latest classified wanted advertisements from CPA's looking to acquisition or merger opportunities in New York.

Finally, the New York Society CPA website offers a classified ads section.  Opportunities are also regularly posted here, and it still represents a useful resource when attempting to find accounting practices for sale in New York.

Accounting Practice Sales

There is some debate as to the size of the accounting practice sales market in the United States.  Research recently undertaken by the Accounting Practice Exchange estimates that at any one time approximately 500 accounting, CPA and tax practices are on the market with brokers at any one time.

However, whilst it is relatively straight forward determining the 'brokered' market, some considerable debate exists as to the percentage share of the brokered to total market.

The Accounting Practice Exchange conservatively estimate that the total accounting practice sales market can be split 50% brokered and 50% 'For Sale by Owner'.  However, having spoken to a number of brokers, most of whom have served the accounting practice sales market exclusively for a number of years, estimates of the for sale by owner market vary wildly from 50% to 90% of the market!

What is clear, is that a large number of accounting and tax practices are sold without ever going to the open market.  Estimating the size of the 'unknown' is therefore a difficult task.