insights for cpa firms

The accounting profession is in the middle of a massive reset. With consolidation efforts, including M&A, PE, and new capital models, the number of independent local firms is shrinking. And the firms disappearing the fastest are those in the $5M-$15M range with 20-50 team members. Ironically, this is the exact segment acquirers now want most. But the advantages of reaching the $5M-$15M tier extend far beyond M&A. In his latest article published by CPA Practice Advisor, Ira Ro

Many CPA firm leaders continue to identify talent as their biggest challenge. The concern is real, but repeatedly pursuing the same staffing strategy and expecting a different outcome is the very definition of insanity. The traditional formula — hire accountants, develop accountants, and hope enough become partners — still matters, but it is no longer enough. Small and mid-sized firms, especially those with 15-75 team members, need to rethink which roles truly require a tradi

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

CPA firms spend a great deal of time focused on growth, technology, profitability, succession, and client service. All of those issues matter but at the center of every one of them is the same question: Is the firm getting the people part of the business right? That question applies across the whole firm—from partners, managers, and staff to clients, referral sources, and others who help shape the firm’s reputation. The firms best positioned for the years ahead will be those

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,

CPAs are relentless about tracking metrics for their clients—yet many firms don’t apply that same rigor to their own operations. Billing rates, utilization, production, and realization will always matter, but they’re only part of the story. The firms that outperform their peers are the ones that look beyond the traditional dashboard and tap into deeper intelligence about how their business actually runs. Data intelligence isn’t just about numbers; it’s about uncovering the pa

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