mergers

How Succession Issues Are Driving Desperation Mergers

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2016-ROUNDTABLE-OUTLOOK-FOR-ROSENBERG-MAP-COMMENTARY-VF-240x219Millennials, aging partners both skeptical.

They say “past results are no indication of future performance.” Maybe. Maybe not. But if anyone should know, it’s our panel of experts, their comments drawn from the new edition of The Rosenberg MAP Survey. These are their bullet points and comments, verbatim, looking back at the last 12 months and looking ahead to 2016. – Rick Telberg, CEO

By Terry Putney
Transition Advisors

Lessons from 2015:

The issue we are seeing that is most troublesome for firms is their lack of talent that can be developed into future leaders. Often partners want to place blame on the millennials and the different views they have regarding work-life balance.

MORE FROM THE ROSENBERG MAP SURVEY: Outlook 2016: Change Catches Up with Auditors | Strategic Plans Undermined by Out-of-Control Partners | Growth, Succession Plans Critical for Firms | Talent Wars Go from White Gloves to Boxing Gloves | Trend Outlook 2016: Change Agents Needed

However, it is clear many firms have failed to invest in leadership development. So they don’t have enough time to provide succession for retiring partners in their firms.

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13 Reasons Accounting Firms Merge

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Executive woman and man in business meetingBONUS LIST: A 12-point look at the merger market.

By Marc Rosenberg
CPA Firm Mergers: Your Complete Guide

Why do firms merge?

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 ON MERGERS: Mergers 101: When Negotiations Aren’t Really Negotiations | 5 Steps to Take Before Merging

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Why Merge and What to Watch Out For

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Four checklists for thinking through the process, picking the right candidate and making it work. 

By August Aquila
Creating the Effective Partnership

It seems that you can’t pick up a newspaper today without reading about a merger of national, regional or local firms.

If you are a partner in a CPA firm that is contemplating a merger, you are about to enter into an extremely risky venture. This article will help you to lessen your risk and give you a better chance of having a successful merger. READ MORE →

2014 Roundtable: The Baby Boomers Take Control

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2014 Top Trends logo vF
Click for the full Rosenberg MAP Survey

As one generation ages out, a new one reshapes the future of the profession.

See the complete 2014 Roundtable

By Jennifer Wilson
Convergence Coaching

Analysis

Without a doubt, succession issues permeate all aspects of the firms we’re encountering.

These include identifying and developing successors — especially rainmakers and practice leaders, ensuring that the buy/sell makes sense and can be sustained over time, determining retirement timing and issues, establishing and executing transition plans, communicating plans, recruiting new talent to backfill positions and exploring new ways to govern the firm to give more voice to those who will be taking over. Succession implications are far-reaching and can be consuming. READ MORE →

CPA Firm Merger “Non-Negotiables”

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Get the instant download: “Merger Must-Haves Checklist (PDF)”

By Marc Rosenberg

After many of you read this, you may think I’m talking from both sides of my mouth. But give me the benefit of the doubt and read on before making any snap judgments.

“Non-negotiables” (others call them “must-haves” or “dealbreakers”) are the terms that the seller of a CPA firm feels he/she must have in order to do the merger. The extent to which the seller will insist on receiving his/her “must haves” is dictated by how the overall negotiations proceed. Each side usually makes compromises; terms that initially were “must haves” often become “nice-to-haves” at the end of the day.

Deciding your “must-haves” can be both a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. Let me explain. READ MORE →

Merger Mania Grips New York

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Tom Marino of Manhattan’s new CohnReznick, product of merger between JH Cohn and Reznick

Crain’s New York cites CPA Trendlines in market study.

An increasingly steady stream of deals that can only be described as “merger mania” is making New York the center of a match-making frenzy, according to Crain’s New York. READ MORE →