Why Accounting Firms Are Selling to Private Equity and What It Means for the Future - Accounting Influencers Podcast

Episode 96

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Published on:

3rd Dec 2024

Private Equity’s Takeover: What Accountants Need to Know

In this episode of The Accounting Influencers Podcast, host Rob Brown dives into the world of private equity and its growing impact on accounting firms. With firms like Baker Tilly and Grant Thornton selling stakes to private equity, Rob explores what this means for firm growth, independence, and leadership. Should accounting firms embrace private equity or avoid it at all costs? Listen in for a deep dive into the opportunities and risks that private equity brings to the accounting profession.

Key Takeaways

  • Private equity is increasingly targeting accounting firms, offering capital and growth opportunities.
  • Firms like Baker Tilly and Grant Thornton have already sold stakes to private equity.
  • Private equity helps firms attract top talent, invest in technology, and compete in mergers.
  • The downside: more debt, outside control, and potential conflicts of interest with clients.
  • Private equity-backed firms may face challenges in maintaining long-term client trust.
  • SEC concerns about auditor independence could reshape how private equity is viewed in accounting.
  • Leaders must decide whether private equity is a growth enabler or a risk to firm independence.

Killer Quotes

  • "Would you sell half of your accounting firm to private equity for a billion dollars?"
  • "Private equity could be the biggest opportunity—or the greatest threat—to your firm’s independence."
  • "Accounting firms are at a crossroads: stay independent or accept private equity investment."
  • "Private equity is reshaping accounting firms, but at what cost?"
  • "The talent war is fierce, and private equity is the weapon many firms are choosing."
  • "Could private equity undermine the long-term trust clients place in their accounting firms?"
  • "The question isn’t whether private equity is coming—it’s already here."

Looking to promote your tech or software solutions to accountants worldwide? By sponsoring the Accounting Influencers Podcast, you can reach an engaged, international audience of accounting professionals. With our growing YouTube channel, your sponsorship will live on multiple platforms, maximizing your brand’s exposure. Contact us to learn more about this fantastic opportunity!

If you’re an influencer in the accounting world and want to elevate your reputation, we’ve got just the thing. Rob Brown offers a personalized service that takes the burden of content creation off your shoulders. We do video interviews and turn them into compelling blogs, articles, and social media clips, positioning you as an expert in your field. Reach out to see how we can help you stand out!

As accountants, your technical skills are only half the story. To truly gain influence, you need to connect with the wider ecosystem that surrounds accounting firms—technology providers, consultants, and other industry experts. That’s where the Accounting Influencers Roundtable (AIR) can help. Head over to our LinkedIn page ‘Accounting Influencers’ to discover a space where accounting professionals can expand their network, get valuable insights, and connect with key players in the tech world. Check it out and start building those critical connections today!

The Accounting Influencers Podcast (AIP) is aimed at accounting firm leaders, managers, and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence, and credibility both internally and externally. The show focuses on helping professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes, and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. The content includes solo insights from host Rob Brown as well as interviews or panel discussions with industry leaders. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Influencers YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. To find out more, contact host Rob Brown on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

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The Accounting Influencers Podcast, hosted by Rob Brown, is one of the world's leading shows for accounting leaders, professionals, finance specialists, software vendors, tech providers and influencers.

Thanks to our sponsors:

ADVANCETRACK OUTSOURCING. Transform your accounting firm with AdvanceTrack. Our top-tier offshoring solutions free your team from mundane tasks, allowing you to focus on growth and client engagement. Experience seamless scalability and expert support. Visit advancetrack.com and elevate your practice today. https://www.advancetrack.com

ACCOUNTEX. Bringing the accounting world together with UK and international events for the accounting and tech world. https://www.accountex.co.uk

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

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About the Podcast

Accounting Influencers Podcast
Host Rob Brown shows accounting professionals and leaders how to be more influential, grow their personal brand and be more authoritative, relevant and high profile in their roles..
The Accounting Influencers Podcast, hosted by Rob Brown, is a must-listen for accounting professionals looking to strengthen their leadership presence, stay informed on disruptive forces in accounting and build credibility within their firms. Geared toward firm leaders, managers, partners and influencers, the show covers key topics like career development, influence, personal branding and interpreting the evolving trends impacting the accounting world. Rob brings his expertise to each episode, offering insights and guidance on how to grow your personal brand and stay strategically important in a rapidly changing profession. Whether you're aiming to influence within your firm or expand your reputation outside of it, this international podcast offers practical advice and forward-thinking insights that will keep you informed and prepared for the future.
Accounting leadership
Executive presence for accountants
Building influence in accounting
Accounting industry trends
Personal branding for accountants
Accounting firm strategy
Accounting business models
Leadership in accounting firms
Talent management in accounting
Authority in accounting profession
Career development for accountants
Accounting firm growth strategies
Influencers in accounting
Accounting firm management
Disruptive forces in accounting
Accounting leadership strategies
Accounting career success
Accounting firm decision-makers
Accounting business trends
Building credibility in accounting

About your host

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Rob Brown

Rob Brown hosts the multiple accounting podcast and chair conferences, panels and events globally for the accounting and fintech profession. He is co-founder of Accounting Influencers Roundtable (AIR) which helps vendors, experts and influencers serve the accounting and finance world. He is a dynamic speaker and accomplished expert on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, career development, succession, gen z/generations, employee advocacy and executive presence. Rob is author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk ‘The Personal Brand of You’ has been viewed 400,000 times on YouTube. He is a stroke survivor, has epilepsy, is a committed Christian and has a black belt in kickboxing. He is based in Nottingham UK, home of Robin Hood, plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.