LAB26-03. Who’s Buying Firms? The State of Consolidation and the Accounting Industry, presented by Platform Accounting Group

The accounting profession is undergoing a seismic shift. Driven by a massive influx of capital and a shifting owner demographic, consolidation has evolved from a quiet trend into a market-defining reality. But for the average firm owner, the "who" and the "why" behind these deals remains unclear.

In this session, I’m stripping away the mystery and sharing all of my expertise. Drawing on proprietary insights from my involvement in nearly 50 firm acquisitions, I deliver a candid, "from the trenches" breakdown of the current M&A landscape. We’ll move past the theoretical to examine who is actually buying firms today, what they are truly looking for, and the pros/cons of each model.

If you’ve felt lost in the noise of the current industry makeup, join me to get the tactical clarity you need to make sense of what’s happening, potentially assess which buyer is right for your firm’s legacy, and better understand where the industry is headed next.

Learning Objectives:

• Differentiate between buyer archetypes in the current accounting landscape, identifying the distinct motivations and long-term goals of private equity vs. industry-native aggregators, etc.
• Formulate a strategic framework for vetting potential partners, moving beyond the initial sales pitch to ensure long-term alignment with the firm's legacy and staff interests.