Independence vs. Transacting: The Facts Behind Each Pathway, with Bob and Doug Lewis, Visionary Group
By CPA Trendlines
With pressure growing on accounting firm leaders to weigh independence against private equity, the Center for Accounting Transformation, in collaboration with CPA Trendlines Research, is offering a new data-driven framework in a premium webinar May 13.
Independence vs. Transacting: The Facts Behind Each Pathway,
with Bob and Doug Lewis, Visionary Group
May 13, 4-5 pm ET
Register here | Learn more
The session, “Independence vs. Transacting: The Facts Behind Each Pathway,” will feature industry dealmakers Bob Lewis and Doug Lewis of The Visionary Group.
The one-hour program targets firm owners and partners navigating growth, succession, and strategic options in a rapidly consolidating market. The Lewises will focus on how firms can “balance emotions with data” when evaluating whether to remain independent or pursue a transaction, including private equity-backed deals.
Participants will examine how to determine firm value in today’s market, assess readiness for a sale or merger, and identify the operational and financial steps required to either retain ownership or position the firm for a transaction. The session also addresses profitability levers and the cultural implications of each path.
The webinar reflects growing pressure on CPA firms to quantify their strategic options as private equity investment, mergers, and succession challenges reshape the profession.
More about Bob Lewis
Bob Lewis is President of The Visionary Group and one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People, with an extensive 25+ year dedication to supporting accounting firm innovation and growth. He has been trusted by firms in the top 500 to countless emerging practices. Bob’s focus is to help firms develop and implement a growth strategy that leverages both organic and merger-and-acquisition methods. His guidance helps firms build their overall enterprise value.
For firms active or interested in M&A, Bob leads a team adept at identifying transition opportunities, integrating tuck-ins, establishing platform locations, and navigating private equity options. He has deep experience sourcing, structuring, and negotiating M&A transactions, partner buy-ins/buy-outs, and compensation plans. Organic growth and seamless succession planning are part of Bob’s experience. He helps firms upscale their client base, leverage better pricing structures, address capacity management, expand their advisory services, and increase profitability.
Nationally sought after as a speaker in the accounting world, Bob commands attention at major industry forums and exclusive firm gatherings, sharing invaluable insights. There are only a few areas he cannot speak to regarding innovation and advancing the accounting profession. With an accounting background, Bob holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and an MBA from DePaul University in Chicago.
More About Doug Lewis
Doug is the Managing Director at The Visionary Group and is one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential “Ones to Watch”. He balances his focus between overseeing Visionary’s M&A department and bridging the gap between the existing and next-generation leadership inside accounting firms nationwide. He brings a unique viewpoint to the industry as a younger professional who is helping senior leadership navigate through complex changes in where firms are heading.
At the heart of his role is the facilitation and structuring of fair traditional and private equity M&A transactions for both sides in any deal. Most of his time is spent engaging primarily with Managing Partners, CEOs, and key leaders within CPA firms. He’s known for building strong relationships with industry leaders, fostering innovative M&A approaches, and cultivating a network of trusted consultants and advisors.
Doug is quickly becoming a sought-after speaker and facilitator across the accounting world. Before joining The Visionary Group, Doug held client-facing positions in professional sports and startup technology. There, he led diverse sales, marketing, and account management efforts catering to Fortune 500 and 1000 companies. Doug holds a Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University.