Tools to buy or sell with confidence
Everything you need to value, negotiate, and close a practice transition — guides, templates, calculators, and checklists, all in one place.
Buying or selling a practice is a once-in-a-career decision. These free resources demystify valuation, due diligence, financing, and transition — so whether you’re listing your firm or making your first acquisition, you can move forward with confidence.
Guides, templates & tools
Free with your account — practical help for both sides of a deal.
Practice valuation guide
How CPA and tax firms are valued, with the revenue and SDE multiples buyers pay today.
Read the guide →
Due-diligence checklist
The documents and questions every buyer should cover before closing.
Get the checklist →
Purchase agreement templates
Sample asset purchase agreements and transition contracts to start from.
Browse templates →
Financing options
SBA 7(a) and acquisition-loan partners that fund practice purchases.
See lenders →
Free valuation estimator
Get an instant ballpark value for your practice from a few quick inputs.
Estimate my value →
Transition playbook
Client-retention and handoff best practices for a smooth ownership change.
Read the playbook →What’s your practice worth?
Get an instant, realistic valuation range from a few quick inputs — no account required.
Guides for sellers and buyers
Short, practical reads written for tax and accounting professionals.
Guides for sellers
Guides for buyers
Typical valuation multiples by practice type
Directional ranges only — your actual multiple depends on recurring revenue, margins, and how transferable the practice is.
| Practice type | Typical multiple | What drives the premium |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal tax prep (1040-heavy) | 0.75–1.0× | Client stickiness, low staff dependence |
| Bookkeeping & write-up | 0.9–1.2× | High recurring monthly revenue |
| Full-service CPA firm | 1.0–1.3× | Diversified services, clean systems |
| Advisory / CFO services | 1.1–1.4× | Recurring, high-margin engagements |
| Payroll-heavy practice | 0.8–1.1× | Client retention and automation |
Understanding practice valuation
The first question every seller asks is “what is my practice worth?” — and every buyer asks “is this priced fairly?” Tax and accounting practices are valued primarily as a multiple of gross revenue, typically 0.75× to 1.3×, adjusted for the quality of the earnings underneath.
Recurring revenue is the biggest driver: a bookkeeping or advisory book that renews every year is worth more than seasonal one-time tax prep. Buyers also weigh client concentration, staff and owner dependence, the software stack, and how much transition support the seller will provide. Clean books and systematized workflows push a firm toward the top of the range.
What raises your multiple
Higher recurring revenue, a diversified client base, advisory and CFO services, documented processes, and a committed transition period all increase value. What lowers it: heavy reliance on the owner, client concentration, aging technology, and thin documentation.
A firm with 90% recurring revenue and clean systems can be worth 30–40% more than a same-size practice built on one-time seasonal work.
Key terms, defined
The vocabulary of a practice sale, in plain English.
Gross revenue
Total annual billings before expenses — the headline size of a practice and the basis for most valuations.
SDE
Seller’s discretionary earnings: net profit plus the owner’s salary and perks. The number buyers and lenders underwrite.
Revenue multiple
Asking price divided by gross revenue. Most practices trade near 1.0×, with premiums for recurring, advisory-heavy books.
Recurring revenue
Fees that repeat every year — monthly bookkeeping, payroll, advisory retainers. The single biggest driver of value.
Earnout / retention clause
Part of the price tied to how many clients stay after the sale — it protects the buyer and rewards a smooth handoff.
Letter of intent (LOI)
A non-binding outline of price and terms that kicks off due diligence before the definitive agreement.
Steps to a smooth ownership change
A well-run handoff protects client retention — and your sale price.
Resource questions
Are the contract templates attorney-drafted?
They’re professional starting points designed to save you time. We recommend having your own attorney review any agreement before signing.
How accurate is the valuation estimator?
It gives a realistic ballpark based on your revenue, recurring mix, and service profile. For a defensible number to list with, use the full valuation report.
Do I need a formal appraisal to list my practice?
No. Most sellers list with an asking range from the estimator or a valuation report. A formal appraisal is optional and mainly useful for larger or partner-owned firms.
Can I get one-on-one help?
Yes. Email support@taxfirmlistings.com and a real person will help, or add the optional concierge tier for hands-on transition support.
Is my information kept private?
Always. Your identity and firm details stay confidential and are never shared without your approval — on the marketplace or inside any tool.
Questions? We’re here to help.
Whether you’re preparing to sell your practice or looking to acquire one, send us a note and a real person will get back to you.
Email support@taxfirmlistings.comsupport@taxfirmlistings.com