The Better Alternative to Buying an Accounting Firm

20% of new businesses fail in the first year, mostly due to a lack of clients. After helping launch over 120 successful practices, we know how to reliably make a business work in the accounting industry. We know how to keep you out of that 20%. We'll guide you through strategy, daily operations, and sales. Most importantly, we'll do the marketing work that brings in new clients every month.

The better question is what you could gain. Compared to a job, the upside of running your own business is enormous and the risk is largely overstated. The only thing standing in your way is fear itself. You can even get started while employed and go full time once you have your first clients, to hedge the risk further. Think of it this way, you'll spend the same time working on your own business as you do at a job, but your revenue for that time can be 10x or more.

If you're here even considering starting a business, that's a sign you have entrepreneurial spirit. For an entrepreneur, the satisfaction of running your own business is unmatched. The key is to take the first step, be resilient, and face any issues as they come. After working with over 120 practices, we know exactly where new owners run into trouble. Our launch program is designed to steer you clear of those issues.

Finding clients is the hardest part of starting a business, and it's the core of what we do on your behalf. We create a steady flow of leads using a wide variety of marketing methods. They come to you through a conversion-focused website, search engine optimization, maps listings, social posts, press releases, and targeted direct mailers.

Small businesses need bookkeepers and accountants and there aren't enough to go around. Established firms are full, which is why they have waitlists or have stopped taking new clients. 70% of small businesses don't have an accountant. The demand for bookkeeping and accounting services is there, the supply isn't.

It looks competitive everywhere you go. There's an accounting business on every corner. But that appearance is misleading, most of those firms aren't taking new business, and a lot of them are winding down. 75% of accountants are nearing retirement and there are 340,000 fewer accountants today than there were five years ago. You don't need a huge local market to build a thriving practice. A town of 10,000 people will have enough small businesses to fill up your client roster.

The clients coming to you through our marketing aren't cold leads. They've read your website and decided they want to work with you, so you don't have to convince anyone of anything. It's more like being a plumber on a house call. You listen to the problem, you tell them what it'll take to fix, and you get to work. We train you on how to run these calls to find the real issue, project professionalism, and close the deal without sounding like you're selling.

We will work with you on a market positioning strategy that accounts for the services you could potentially offer, your niches, and what's in demand in your local market. You will have a clearly defined services list that fits the demand and maximizes your revenue.

Pricing is part of the work we do with you on positioning. We decide together on the pricing model (flat monthly rate, per service, retainer, etc.) and the actual rates. The goal is to maximize your revenue and margin.

As part of the positioning work, we look at your local market and your experience to figure out the right industry targets. Specializing usually beats going broad. Clients trust a specialist who knows their world over a generalist who doesn't. There are usually more than enough clients in any one industry to fill your roster. We make the final call together during the strategy work.

This mostly comes with experience, but it's easier than you'd expect once you know the right approach. We prepare you for serving clients while avoiding the rookie mistakes most new practice owners make.

Practice operations are covered as part of our launch package, including the tools and processes that keep your business running smoothly. We show you how to stay organized, based on our experience.

Yes, most new practice owners go that route. A fully remote practice works even when you're targeting local clients. The work itself is online, client meetings can be virtual, and your marketing presents you as a local business regardless. You get to save the commute and the office rent.

AI is a tool, not a replacement for human professionals. The new owners we work with use it to do more in less time. The hype is loud right now but the reality is much less dramatic. Small business owners still want a person who knows their business, takes their calls, and explains what's happening with their books. That need isn't going away any time soon.