If you’re wondering whether now’s the right time to sell your accounting or financial planning firm, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common - and emotionally loaded - questions firm owners wrestle with.
Timing a sale isn’t just about personal readiness. It’s about reading the market, understanding your position, and knowing when the stars are aligned commercially.
Here’s how to think it through — with a few key signs that the market might be telling you “go now”.
1. Demand from buyers is high — especially for well-run firms
Right now, there’s strong appetite from buyers across the board — from emerging equity partners and regionally expanding firms, to consolidators and succession-driven groups. Why?
- Many firms are struggling to recruit senior talent organically, so they’re looking to acquire capability and clients.
- Market uncertainty has made acquisition a lower-risk path to growth.
- Some buyers are flush with capital and looking for quality, not just scale.
If your firm has stable fees, consistent profit, and good systems, now is an excellent time to take advantage of that demand — before it cools.
2. You’re seeing peak profitability and energy — and can prove it
The best time to sell isn’t when you’re exhausted or winding down. It’s when the business is humming, and you’re still motivated enough to help with a clean transition.
Buyers pay best for:
- Firms with sustainable, recurring revenue
- Vendors who can help transition key clients and staff
- Businesses that have proven, stable performance — ideally over the past 3 years
Selling while you’re still strong isn’t “giving up early” — it’s commercial foresight.
3. Your successor (internal or external) is ready (or nearly so)
Whether you’re selling to a known successor or going to market, timing is critical. A good exit takes time, often 6 months to sell and 12 months to transition. If your ideal buyer or partner is circling now, it might not be wise to wait and hope they’ll still be around later.
We’ve seen more than a few owners delay, only to find the window closes - and with it, their leverage.
4. Legislative and industry changes are creating headwinds
Rising compliance costs, regulatory pressure or PI insurance increases can hit margins and buyer confidence over time. If you're beginning to feel the grind of red tape, or you’re worried about future shifts (think Quality of Advice reforms or tech disruption), then it may make sense to act now, while you're ahead.
Pro tip: Buyers will often factor in expected changes. Selling ahead of change gives you a clearer story to tell — and more confidence in your numbers.
5. You’re not growing — and you’re not inclined to change that
If your firm has plateaued and you’ve no appetite to reinvest or restructure, consider whether it’s time to pass the baton. Buyers love firms where they can add value — but that’s a very different proposition to reviving a declining business.
Be honest: If you’re no longer energised to drive growth, succession may be the smarter strategy.
Two recent examples from our network
Case A — Sydney CBD firm (sold at $1.20 per $ of fees):
Owner engaged Practice Exchange 2 years before their target exit. We helped them tune their practice, optimise their team structure, and present well to market.
With strong buyer interest, they secured a clean deal with a well-aligned buyer — and retained a part-time income stream post-sale.
Case B — Sydney Inner West firm (sold at $1.35 per $ of fees):
This firm had a progressive tech stack, consistent earnings, and a forward-looking mindset.
They acted early and captured a premium — beating three other vendors in the region who waited 12 months and faced softer offers.
Final Word
If you’re thinking about it… start exploring it. You don’t need to decide today — but you do need to prepare.
A well-timed sale takes months of planning, positioning, and deal-making. The sooner you start the conversation, the more options you’ll have — and the more control you’ll keep over how and when you exit.
Curious about how the current market values your firm? Book a confidential discussion with Practice Exchange to explore your options — no pressure, just expert insight from people who’ve helped hundreds of firm owners navigate the same decision.
