merger? the 100 data points you need first

meeting of six peoplethe finer points of getting to know one another.

by marc rosenberg
cpa firm mergers: new and updated

before negotiations begin, it is very helpful for merger partners to prepare a one-page, written description of their firms. this advice is for both the buyer and the seller.

more: one times fees isn’t the only way | thinking merger? first ask why. | why do you want to merge? be honest. | four reasons to fear a merger
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

at the risk of offending some of you, we have found that when firms initially describe themselves, the person doing the listening does a terrible job taking notes. none of our memories are as good as we think they are. because in almost all cases, each firm will soon be describing the other to their partners, it’s always best to follow up the oral description of your firm with something in writing.

what follows is:

  1. what the written firm description should include (12 items)
  2. get-to-know-you meeting between buyer and seller (the agenda)
  3. sample firm description
  4. the get-to-know-you meeting cheat sheet
  5. key questions for the first meeting (43 items)
  6. 20 questions to ask right away
  7. the data needed to evaluate a merger
  8. financial and operating data to exchange (58 items)
  9. client list (with 9 items for each)

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one times fees isn’t the only way

check the math.

by marc rosenberg
cpa firm mergers: your complete guide

partners in accounting firms are familiar with the rule of thumb that a cpa firm’s goodwill (excluding capital) is worth one times fees. however, like many rules of thumb, this notion is often incorrect.

more: thinking merger? first ask why. | why do you want to merge? be honest. | four reasons to fear a merger
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

when buyers begin to think about how much they will pay for a smaller firm, they often have this one-times-fees notion in the back of their minds. then, when sellers are bold enough to ask for a price in excess of one times fees, buyers often balk.
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thinking merger? first ask why.

businesswoman walking up stairskeep your deal-breakers and must-haves to a minimum.

by marc rosenberg
cpa firm mergers: your complete guide

it’s important to understand the flow of the entire merger process. always start with the big picture before getting into the details.

more: why do you want to merge? be honest. | four reasons to fear a merger
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

every merger has its unique aspects. it’s impossible to choreograph from a to z exactly how the process for each merger will work.

the steps in the process listed below appear in the order of how they commonly occur.
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from senior to manager in 12 quick questions

what it takes to get promoted.

by marc rosenberg
the rosenberg practice management library

cpa firms have many different titles or positions.

more: making partner: the essential metrics | what makes a partner | want to be a partner? meet these 17 expectations | five reasons not to make someone a partner | yes, you need another partner | six big mistakes in succession planning | what a firm needs from its leaders
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

today, we’ll address the most common:

  • staff
  • senior
  • manager

i often use the term “staff” to refer to anyone who is not at the partner level. this is different from a “staff-level” associate, who typically has only a few years or less of experience in public accounting. but exactly what does it take to advance from staff to senior and from senior to manager?
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what cpa firm buyers want … and don’t

woman with disapproval face.sellers, how do you compare?

by marc rosenberg
the rosenberg practice management library

many years ago, i was overjoyed that the managing partner of one of chicago’s largest local firms (long since merged out of existence) called me in for a meeting. today, i would have asked what the guy wanted to discuss before shlepping to his office. but 20 years ago, i was just happy he called me.

more: inside a partner comp committee | rewarding partners for seniority: pros and cons | what if founders don’t want to buy each other out? | when cpa partner votes go wrong | why billing less may mean earning more | what smaller firms must do to become firms of the future | when managing partners can’t | don’t let exiting partners double dip | the 13 signs you have a partner problem | covid-19, adversity and innovation
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

the managing partner proceeded to tell me that his firm was looking for smaller firms to merge in. i asked him what the parameters were for his search.
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why do you want to merge? be honest.

then we can talk about how.

by marc rosenberg
cpa firm mergers: your complete guide

whether you’re looking to acquire a smaller firm, merge upward into a larger one or join forces with an equal, answering this basic question honestly and objectively is key to laying the groundwork for a successful merger.

more: four reasons to fear a merger
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

the table below lists the main reasons that firms seek mergers. some of them benefit both buyer and seller. others provide the greatest advantage to one firm or the other, depending on the unique situation.
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