Sell your CPA Firms business
Recurring client relationships and predictable busy-season revenue make CPA firms highly sellable—and private equity has arrived in accounting. Here’s what your firm is worth.
What it’s worth
CPA Firms valuation multiples
CPA firms are usually valued on revenue rather than earnings — commonly 0.9–1.3× annual revenue. On an earnings basis, owner-operated firms land near 1.5–3× SDE; once a firm has professional management and roughly $1M+ of EBITDA, buyers price on EBITDA and multiples commonly reach 5–7×, rising toward 7.5–10× at scale.
These are general, illustrative ranges for healthy businesses—not a valuation or an offer. Actual value depends on size, margins, recurring revenue, customer concentration, owner dependence, and deal structure. For a real number, request a free confidential valuation.
Where you land
- 1.5–3×SDEOwner-operated — you still run it day to day
- 5–7×EBITDAManagement-run, roughly $1M+ EBITDA
- 7.5–10×EBITDAPlatform scale, sold into a competitive process
Factors that affect value
What moves your multiple — up and down
Two CPA businesses with identical earnings can sell for very different numbers. These are the factors buyers actually price, and most of them can be improved before you go to market.
What lifts your multiple
-
Recurring compliance and advisory work
Annual recurring engagements are the foundation of the multiple.
-
High client retention
A book that renews year after year is exactly what buyers underwrite.
-
Staff and managers who stay
A firm that runs on its team, not on the founding partner, sells for materially more.
-
Advisory and CAS revenue
Higher-margin advisory and client-accounting services are increasingly what consolidators pay up for.
What pulls it down
-
Partner-dependent client relationships
If clients are loyal to you personally, the book is harder to transfer — expect earnouts and a longer transition.
-
Seasonal, tax-only revenue
A compliance-only, tax-season-heavy book is worth less than one with year-round revenue.
-
Client concentration
A few large clients dominating fees is a real risk.
-
Aging client base
A book of clients nearing retirement or business exit shrinks the revenue you’re selling.
Who’s buying
The buyer landscape
- Private-equity-backed accounting platforms consolidating firms nationwide
- Larger regional firms acquiring for talent, clients, and capacity
- Individual CPAs and partners buying in or merging
Florida considerations
What’s specific to selling here
- Florida’s business and population growth drives steady demand for tax and advisory work
- The talent shortage makes staff retention a top buyer priority
- Timing around busy season affects transition planning and close dates
Before you go to market
How to prepare—and lift your value
1
Strengthen staff retention and reduce dependence on individual partners
2
Grow recurring advisory revenue alongside compliance work
3
Document client retention and realization to support the multiple
FAQ
Selling your CPA or accounting firm: FAQ
How are CPA firms valued today?
Traditionally around 0.9–1.3× annual revenue (roughly 1.5–3× SDE). Larger, management-run firms with about $1M+ of EBITDA are priced on EBITDA instead — commonly 5–7×, and PE-backed consolidators can pay more for scale and recurring advisory work.
Is private equity really buying accounting firms?
Yes—PE has moved into accounting aggressively, creating new options and often higher valuations for firms of scale. We help you weigh PE, strategic, and internal-succession paths.
How do you keep my firm’s sale confidential?
Buyers are screened and sign NDAs before learning your identity, and information is staged—protecting your clients, staff, and partners throughout.
Start here
Thinking about selling your CPA Firms business?
Start with a confidential conversation and an honest read on your value, your likely buyers, and your timeline.