Sell Your Tax and Accounting Practice with a Trusted Partner

You've created something that probably took decades to build — the kind of thing you can't afford to hand off to chance. Without the right plan, that value can quietly slip away: the wrong buyer, clients who don't feel cared for, or years spent waiting for a "someday" that keeps getting pushed back.

ProHorizons gives you a clear plan and a steady hand, so your next chapter starts on your terms.
Schedule a Free Consultation

You’re Not Imagining The Risk

Almost every practice owner we talk to is wrestling with the same handful of questions:
  • When is actually the right time to sell — before I'm ready, or after I've waited too long?
  • Is there really a buyer who's going to walk in and make this easy, or am I on my own?
  • What is my practice actually worth, and how do I know I'm not leaving money on the table?
  • How do I sell without my clients or staff finding out before I'm ready to tell them?
  • Who can I trust to care for my clients the way I have?
These aren't small questions, and waiting doesn't make them easier — it usually makes the exit harder and the value lower. You don't have to answer them alone. At ProHorizons, this is more than a transaction to us. It's about protecting your life's work and making the transition on your terms. That's what we're here to guide you through.
Schedule a Free Consultation

The Sales Process

We’ve helped guide hundreds of accounting practice owners through the Sale Process.

Seling your practice is more than just setting a price and putting it in the market. The sale revolves around an understanding of what you have spent so much time building and honoring that legacy. Factoring this in with your goals and priorities is where we start.  Then, we guide you through each stage with clear steps and dedicated support.

  1. Exploration and Evaluation
  2. Package Your Sale
  3. Build the Market / Interview Buyers
  4. Field Offers and Negotiate Initial Terms
  5. Due Diligence / Bank Financing
  6. Finalize Negotiations and Sign the Contract
  7. Transition to the Buyer
Schedule A Free Consultation

Recent Successful
Accounting Practice Sales

Case Example:
For Sale By Owner vs. ProHorizon

Let the numbers be your guide. Below is a comparison of for sale by owner and ProHorizons' sales result.
Highlighting transaction aspects most commonly determining a successful sale.

Result

For Sale By Owner

ProHorizons

Cash down at closing
34%
100% (Average 60%)
Sold at gross revenue multiple greater than one
32%
84% (average multiple 1.11)
Sold for gross revenue multiple less than one
36%
9%
Retention clause longer than two years
50%
0%
Carried a note with repayment terms longer than five years
53%
0%
Terms included earn outs (high risk to seller)
Most
0%

Our Selling Process

Your Goals Come First
We Help You Navigate Every Step

We begin by learning what matters most to you. Whether your priority is timing, client care, or valuation, we tailor the process to match. You can rely on us to manage communication with buyers, safeguard confidentiality, and keep the transaction moving smoothly.

Explore the Selling Process

Selling Process

Phase 1: Understanding Your Business
Understanding your firm thoroughly is the key to positioning your business correctly and finding the right purchaser. In this first step, we’ll discuss your practice, clients, staff, financial statements, goals and expectations.
The outcome of the Discovery Interview determines our next steps together. In some cases, we will immediately proceed through the remaining phases of our sales process. In others, we may recommend some short-term adjustments to your business to better position it for sale. Many sellers consult with us years before they actually plan to sell.
Phase 2: Preparing Your Business

With an understanding of your business and goals, next we’ll evaluate your core market(s) to document key factors that may affect the perceived value of your business:

  • Is your market area growing or declining?
  • Are any of your competitors interested in expanding?
  • What factors are prospective buyers utilizing in their business acquisitions?

In most circumstances, we begin with a baseline price of 100% of the industry standard multiple of gross billings. Then we rely on our practical experience to adjust the price according to factors such as size of staff, type of work performed, profitability, business reputation, and market trends.

Each situation is unique, therefore, we will always collaborate with our clients and focus on their goals when calculating the price. Some of the goals that affect price may include:

  • Requiring a large down payment
  • Seeking a quick cash sale
  • Waiting for the highest price the market will bear
  • Pursuing a secure income stream

We understand that putting a price on their company is a challenge for all business owners. In addition to personal factors and the terms of the deal, the amount is a concern. If a price is too high, buyers will not be interested; if the price is too low, sellers will not get the return they should. Our combination of analytical data and real-world experience presents your business at a fair price to potential buyers.

Once the prior steps are complete, our staff will prepare a comprehensive Business Sales Memorandum. This confidential document is the cornerstone of our presentations to your potential buyers. It details the core aspects of your business and the information the buyer needs to make a purchase decision.
Phase 3: Marketing & Selling Your Business

Once we have finalized the Business Sales Memorandum, we are ready to market your business to qualified buyers through a variety of channels:

  • Mining our database of thousands of screened and qualified buyers.
  • Networking with our extensive contacts to generate leads and referrals.
  • Purchasing high-end industry lists to reach new prospective buyers.
  • Conducting integrated marketing campaigns to contact prospective buyers.
  • Listing your business on our site, exposing it to thousands of prospective buyers worldwide. Visit our practices for sale page to see how this works.
  • Advertising in leading industry journals and newsletters.
  • Building relationships with potential buyers through our webinars, workshops and industry conferences.

Our goal is to find multiple buyers, as this will increase your options when negotiating price and terms.

Our screening process measures prospects on two levels: 1) How serious is the prospect about buying, and if they are financially capable to acquire, and 2) How will the prospect fit within your business structure and environment.

Through this screening process we strive to ensure you only speak with the prospects that are ready, willing and able to buy and will provide a successful transition for you, your clients, and your staff.
Phase 4: Closing the Transaction

With the screening process complete, next we focus on the following factors to generate multiple offers from qualified prospective buyers to position you well for the negotiation stage:

  • Which prospect has the skills and ability necessary to continue your business?
  • Are the down payments large enough and terms adequate?
  • Do the prospects have good credit?

In most circumstances, we begin with a baseline price of 100% of the industry standard multiple of gross billings. Then we rely on our practical experience to adjust the price according to factors such as size of staff, type of work performed, profitability, business reputation, and market trends.

Each situation is unique, therefore, we will always collaborate with our clients and focus on their goals when calculating the price. Some of the goals that affect price may include:

  • Requiring a large down payment
  • Seeking a quick cash sale
  • Waiting for the highest price the market will bear
  • Pursuing a secure income stream

We understand that putting a price on their company is a challenge for all business owners. In addition to personal factors and the terms of the deal, the amount is a concern. If a price is too high, buyers will not be interested; if the price is too low, sellers will not get the return they should. Our combination of analytical data and real-world experience presents your business at a fair price to potential buyers.

Caveat Emptor or “Buyer Beware” was once the rule in business transactions but in recent years courts have undermined this standard. So it is imperative that the seller work with the buyer to ensure thorough due diligence is conducted. We have a process and sample checklist that will help structure and document the buyer’s due diligence. We also work with you on your due diligence requirements from the buyer.
Third party financing or bank financing is in the best interest of both parties: less risk of collection through a larger down payment for the seller and improved cash-flow for the buyer through longer amortization. So, we leverage our lender relationships to assist the buyer in securing the needed loan and work closely with all parties to see the loan funded.

A well-written agreement that spells out everything—price, terms, etc.—can be the difference between a deal that sounds good and one that is enforceable.

Our standard purchase agreement is very comprehensive and covers:

  • Terms
  • Financing
  • Non-competition agreements
  • Transition
  • Guarantees
  • Down payments
  • Protection of the unpaid balance
  • Repayment schedules
Once your deal is closed, it is important to adequately transition the buyer into your practice. We assist you in this process by helping you plan conversations with your staff and clients, providing sample client correspondence, and acting as your sounding board as questions arise.

Getting Started Is Easy

Step
1

Book a Call with Us

A conversation is the best first step. This is an opportunity for us to learn about you and your practice and an opportunity for you to learn about us, our process and the market. We will answer your questions and walk through how the process works.

Step
2

List Your Practice and Package Your Sale

Once your practice is listed, we will complete a confidential market report on your practice, including asking price, and prepare your listing to attract serious buyers aligned with your goals.

Step
3

Relax While We Do the Heavy Lifting

Once we have your practice in the market, we handle the behind-the-scenes work so you can focus on running your business until the right deal is in place.

Schedule a Free Consultation
chevron-down