Buying An Accounting Practice: Checklist

: Verify active licenses in all operating jurisdictions and review history for professional liability claims or ongoing HR disputes. 3. Valuation & Deal Structure Is Buying an Accounting Practice Right for You? | AICPA

: Ensure no single client represents more than 5% of total revenue. A 90%+ annual retention rate over three years is the industry benchmark for healthy firms.

: Audit the "tech stack." A firm still relying on local servers and paper files carries significant post-acquisition integration costs.

: Decide if you require a local brick-and-mortar presence or if you are open to a remote-first practice with lower overhead.

: If the current owner is the sole point of contact for major accounts, retention risk skyrockets. Look for firms where staff already manage relationships.

: Are you seeking geographic expansion, a specific niche (e.g., dental or healthcare), or specialized service lines like tax advisory?

: Secure pre-approval. Expect down payments of 10–20%, with the remainder often covered by bank loans or seller notes. 2. Deep Due Diligence