insights for cpa firms

Fear is not always a sign that something is wrong; sometimes it signals that something meaningful is happening. The most successful transitions happen when leaders treat fear not as an obstacle but as information. Whether you’re preparing to merge, sell, or acquire, the technical pieces of a deal often get the most attention. Yet, the biggest obstacles aren’t spreadsheets or contracts. They are fears – the quiet, often unspoken concerns that shape how owners think, react, and

Every CPA firm leader eventually confronts the same question: What is my firm really worth? Owners either consistently underestimate their value—or dramatically overestimate it. That’s because firm value is not a fixed number. It’s a moving target shaped by market conditions, successor goals, strategic fit, and the unique attributes of the practice itself. A buyer or successor isn’t just purchasing revenue. They’re evaluating risk, opportunity, cultural alignment, and the pot

When CPA firms enter M&A, much value is placed on the finances and valuations. Many forget that accounting is ultimately a business of human interactions, and it's best to remember that preparing and engaging your staff and clients will lead to happier integration results. Ira Rosenbloom sat down recently with Bill Sheridan at the Maryland Association of CPAs to discuss this topic. Listen to the podcast.

When CPA firms begin discussions about merging or combining, they almost always focus on economics, financials, and control. Those issues matter—but they’re only part of the equation. Successful combinations start with candid, early dialogue about what life will look like after the ink dries. And certain phrases can reveal a great deal during those conversations—either strengthening confidence or signaling troubles ahead. In a May 2026 article for CPA Practice Advisor, Ira Ro

Now that tax season is in the rear-view mirror, many firms will think about M&A opportunities, so it’s a great time to focus on firm value. When M&A players compute value, there are several attributes that typically become either value builders or value busters. Here are 10 factors to make your firm more attractive for a transaction—as well as healthier as a business. 5 Value Builders Desirable Niches. CAS, high-net-worth tax, forensics, data intelligence, international tax,

Dom Piscopo interviewed Ira Rosenbloom for this episode of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, discussing the importance of strengthening firms through assessments, navigating M&A, understanding compensation dynamics, and more. Listen to the episode of the podcast.

As consolidation continues to reshape the accounting profession, the $5–10 million revenue tier has emerged as a critical inflection point. Once considered a transitional phase between small and large firm status, this segment is now recognized as a strategic stronghold — both for firms seeking sustainable independence and for those positioning themselves as attractive acquisition targets. For the Winter 2026 issue of VSCPA's Disclosures magazine, Ira Rosenbloom stresses the

2025 was an ultra-active year for CPA firm M&A—with PE playing an ever-expanding role. What we’ve learned from years of strategic advising and facilitating transactions is that there are aspects of deal-making that stay consistent; others reflect the times we live in. Here are 5 takeaways from 2025 that will be important to apply in 2026: Employee retention is critical. Acquirers of all sizes and types are focused on staff levels and leadership skills. Few acquirers have the