Buying An Accounting Practice Checklist Apr 2026

Due diligence for an accounting firm is not a standard audit; it is a search for "red flags" in the client base and staff culture.

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

: 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. Due diligence for an accounting firm is not

This checklist breaks down the acquisition process into four critical phases: initial strategy, deep due diligence, valuation, and post-close transition. 1. Pre-Acquisition Strategy deep due diligence

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