Selling your accounting firm: the complete guide

Prepare, value and sell your practice on your terms, with no commission.

9 min

When to start preparing your sale

The value of a practice is built, not improvised. Sellers who get the best terms start 18 to 24 months before the handover.

The 24M framework splits this preparation into 8 quarters: cleaning up files, securing recurring revenue, reducing dependence on the owner, smoothing profitability.

The 5 value levers (5L)

Profitability: a profitable, readable practice sells better than one with high revenue but opaque numbers.

Recurrence: the share of recurring work (bookkeeping, payroll, review) reassures the buyer and supports the price.

Structure: written procedures, up to date tools, an autonomous team; the less the practice depends on you, the more it is worth.

Digitalization: paperless workflows and a client portal are now standard expectations.

Specialization: a defensible sector niche is a rare asset.

How a practice is valued

As a general reference, a practice often sells for a multiple of annual recurring revenue (around 1x, with adjustments) or of SDE/EBITDA, in USD. These are general references, not a valuation.

On AlloFirm, matching and negotiation are free: no commission on the sale. The closing runs through an attorney trust account (IOLTA) between the parties.

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