outlook & analysis

change is needed in mindset and skillset.

by scott moore
the rosenberg national survey of cpa firm statistics

leading firms will continue to proactively evolve their business models to include more digital process automation, bundling of services with subscription-style pricing, strategic outsourcing, and upscaling of talent along the client value continuum.

editor’s note: every year, the 2024 rosenberg national survey of cpa firm statistics asks the profession’s top consultants two sets of questions:

• • how do you think the next 12 months will unfold? trends? predictions? other thoughts?
  • how would you assess the last 12 months? trends? observations? struggles?

more: accounting firms must consider capital resources | firms not keeping all their clients | accounting still short on staff and students | artificial intelligence plays role in analytics, optimization | challenges for the accounting profession: private equity, offshoring, training new hires | recalibration is key for accounting profession | people development still a concern | focus on intentional growth | accounting firms upshift to corporate model | tech anxiety paralyzing some accounting firms | what’s going to happen? lots, say consultants | growth and complacency must concern accounting firms this year | solving staffing requires intention | how accounting firms are handling the staff shortage
exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

 

this will set the pace for the profession as a whole, as more firms follow suit in these areas in their efforts to keep up with client expectations and market dynamics. an increase in m&a activity and consolidation will increase this effect, as strategic investments target firms with the highest potential to achieve maximum market value.
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firms of $20 million to $50 million in revenue will be presented with many opportunities.

by gary thomson
the rosenberg national survey of cpa firm statistics

continued exploration of capital resources will be a hallmark of the next 12 months. determining the cost of strategic priorities will drive a better informed exploration of the basic question: “from where will we get our needed capital?”

editor’s note: every year, the 2024 rosenberg national survey of cpa firm statistics asks the profession’s top consultants two sets of questions:

• • how do you think the next 12 months will unfold? trends? predictions? other thoughts?
  • how would you assess the last 12 months? trends? observations? struggles?

more: firms not keeping all their clients | accounting still short on staff and students | recalibration is key for accounting profession | accounting firms upshift to corporate model | growth and complacency must concern accounting firms this year | the future of fees | how accounting firms are dealing with retirement | what’s your firm worth? private equity wants to know
exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

 

those sources include, but are not limited to, owners, banks, private equity, mergers, esops, etc. the potential sources are abundant … determining what’s right for your firm is a unique and focused effort to get it right.
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plus two questions about m&as.

by carl george
the rosenberg national survey of cpa firm statistics

my list of predictions for the next 12 months:

• firms will continue to upgrade their client profiles and disengage from clients who no longer fit. the result is more time will be spent on higher-value clients and emerging high-value clients. a strategy long overdue for some.

editor’s note: every year, the 2024 rosenberg national survey of cpa firm statistics asks the profession’s top consultants two sets of questions:

• • how do you think the next 12 months will unfold? trends? predictions? other thoughts?
  • how would you assess the last 12 months? trends? observations? struggles?

more: accounting still short on staff and students | artificial intelligence plays role in analytics, optimization | challenges for the accounting profession: private equity, offshoring, training new hires | recalibration is key for accounting profession | people development still a concern | focus on intentional growth | accounting firms upshift to corporate model | tech anxiety paralyzing some accounting firms | what’s going to happen? lots, say consultants | growth and complacency must concern accounting firms this year | solving staffing requires intention
exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

 

• firms realize that more training is needed for their staff than ever before. there are two major reasons behind the accelerated and deeper training necessity:

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firms have had to adjust.

by marc rosenberg
the rosenberg national survey of cpa firm statistics

i believe 2003-2007 was the golden age of the cpa profession because the robust increases in revenues and profits were never better. the early and mid-2020s will be named by someone much more clever than me, but many of us feel these current years of prosperity have eclipsed the golden age.

editor’s note: every year, the 2024 rosenberg national survey of cpa firm statistics asks the profession’s top consultants two sets of questions:

• • how do you think the next 12 months will unfold? trends? predictions? other thoughts?
  • how would you assess the last 12 months? trends? observations? struggles?

more: artificial intelligence plays role in analytics, optimization | challenges for the accounting profession: private equity, offshoring, training new hires | recalibration is key for accounting profession | people development still a concern | focus on intentional growth | accounting firms upshift to corporate model | tech anxiety paralyzing some accounting firms | what’s going to happen? lots, say consultants | growth and complacency must concern accounting firms this year | solving staffing requires intention | how accounting firms are handling the staff shortage | the future of fees | as private equity closes in, firms seek new answers to staffing problems
exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

 

paradoxically, firms are still frustrated by too much business and with too few staff.

there are three areas currently causing disruption in our industry:
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accounting profession also impacted by private equity and environmental, social and governance factors.

by angie grissom
the rosenberg national survey of cpa firm statistics

the accounting industry continues to be poised for significant changes over the next year, influenced by trends including more private equity activity and evolving business needs and strategies.

editor’s note: every year, the 2024 rosenberg national survey of cpa firm statistics asks the profession’s top consultants two sets of questions:

• • how do you think the next 12 months will unfold? trends? predictions? other thoughts?
  • how would you assess the last 12 months? trends? observations? struggles?

more: challenges for the accounting profession: private equity, offshoring, training new hires | focus on intentional growth | what’s going to happen? lots, say consultants | how accounting firms are handling the staff shortage | when staffing falls short, clients get culled | staffing turnover’s down, but why? | is this the last year of accounting’s golden age?
exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

 

the consolidation of accounting firms is expected to speed up in 2024. this trend is driven by the need for firms to enhance their resources, expand service capabilities and gain industry expertise. there will be a notable increase in mergers among top firms, including regional and national mergers, as well as east coast/west coast collaborations to broaden geographical reach. private equity (pe) involvement will also grow, with more pe transactions involving the top 150 firms and smaller tuck-ins. private equity firms are predicted to continue their significant involvement in the accounting sector. key areas of investment will include technology and health care.
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new tech will force firms to examine value pricing if they haven’t already.

by gale crosley
the rosenberg national survey of cpa firm statistics

private equity interest in the profession will continue. new pe organizations are dotting the landscape, showing interest in firms from the top to the near bottom of the market. family offices and esop investment bankers/consultants are appearing. in the future, firms will have multiple alternative sources of equity capital.

editor’s note: every year, the 2024 rosenberg national survey of cpa firm statistics asks the profession’s top consultants two sets of questions:

• • how do you think the next 12 months will unfold? trends? predictions? other thoughts?
  • how would you assess the last 12 months? trends? observations? struggles?

more: recalibration is key for accounting profession | people development still a concern | focus on intentional growth | accounting firms upshift to corporate model | tech anxiety paralyzing some accounting firms | what’s going to happen? lots, say consultants | growth and complacency must concern accounting firms this year | solving staffing requires intention | how accounting firms are handling the staff shortage | the future of fees | as private equity closes in, firms seek new answers to staffing problems | when staffing falls short, clients get culled | how accounting firms are dealing with retirement | next five years are critical for accounting firms | staffing turnover’s down, but why? | what’s your firm worth? private equity wants to know | the new pipeline: outsourcing and offshoring | is this the last year of accounting’s golden age?
exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

 

private equities that have already invested are starting to more fully understand the vast operational differences between corporate america and cpa firms. this will put pressure on pe-backed firms to perform in more sophisticated ways. on the revenue growth side, corporate-world staples such as effective firmwide pipeline processes, professional sales organizations and a repeatable innovation (product management) process will start cropping up.
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growth is being sustained by offshoring.

by art kuesel
the rosenberg national survey of cpa firm statistics

i think a great word for the next 12 months will be recalibration. i think it is fitting in so many areas. firms are recalibrating their investments in technology to gain efficiency and drive capacity. firms are recalibrating their investments in staffing as technology and outsourcing impart their influence process. firms are recalibrating their succession plans as movement on the bench continues. and firms are recalibrating their pricing strategies to raise the bar on new and existing clients.

editor’s note: every year, the 2024 rosenberg national survey of cpa firm statistics asks the profession’s top consultants two sets of questions:

• • how do you think the next 12 months will unfold? trends? predictions? other thoughts?
  • how would you assess the last 12 months? trends? observations? struggles?

more: people development still a concern | focus on intentional growth | accounting firms upshift to corporate model | tech anxiety paralyzing some accounting firms | what’s going to happen? lots, say consultants | growth and complacency must concern accounting firms this year | solving staffing requires intention | how accounting firms are handling the staff shortage | the future of fees | as private equity closes in, firms seek new answers to staffing problems | when staffing falls short, clients get culled | how accounting firms are dealing with retirement | next five years are critical for accounting firms | staffing turnover’s down, but why? | what’s your firm worth? private equity wants to know | the new pipeline: outsourcing and offshoring | is this the last year of accounting’s golden age?
exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

 

nothing is sacred – anything that got us to where we are today will not necessarily get us where we need to be in the future. it’s a tsunami of change (and opportunity) and the best firms are leaning into it with vigor.
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