q&a: john ezell on m&a trends for cpa firms

merger-and-acquisition activity appears to be quickening for smaller firms.

but the credit meltdown and a looming recession are clouding the long-term picture, according to one of the profession’s leading brokers.

john r. ezell (pictured), cpa, is the president of prohorizons, a national brokerage and consulting firm specializing in the acquisition, sale, and merger of accounting and tax practices. john has advised hundreds of clients in the merger and acquisition of accounting and tax firms since founding the company in 1995. he is the principal author of the book, “successful practice sales: the complete guide to buying, selling or merging your accounting, consulting or tax practice.”

q: how’s the market for firm mergers today?

ezell: the market is as strong as ever. there seems to be a larger supply of firm owners thinking of selling for many of the same reasons they have done so in the past — retirement, burnout, other business