Effective Hourly Rate and Utilization: The Two Numbers That Price Your Firm

Effective hourly rate isn't just a pricing check. It's the number buyers back into during diligence, and the one that caps what your firm sells for.

The FirmLever Weekly Roundup: Issue #48

Meet the "accountant killer"

Claude Opus 4.7 Shipped Yesterday. It Scored 50% on Month-End Close.

Anthropic's newest AI just posted the highest accounting benchmark score ever recorded. It still scored 50% on month-end close. The machine they told you would replace your firm is currently closing books at coin-flip accuracy. Here's what that means for the work you're still carrying.

The Underpricing Trap: How to Spot It and Fix It This Quarter

Most firms I talk to are underpriced by 20% or more and don't know it. Here's how to read the signals and raise fees without losing your best clients.

Why CPA Firms That Master M&A Advisory Charge 3x and Never Compete on Price Again

Compliance work is a race to the bottom. M&A advisory is the opposite. Here's why the firms that learn deal work stop fighting over price and start choosing their clients.

Buying MSP-Focused Accounting Firms: Why They Trade at 2.5x Revenue

MSP-niche accounting firms are commanding 1.8x-2.5x revenue in 2026. Here's what drives the premium and how to vet the expertise.

The FirmLever Weekly Roundup: Issue #47

We hit $292M this week...

Selling Your MSP Accounting Practice in 2026: The Specialist Premium

How IT and MSP accounting firms command 6x-9x EBITDA in 2026, plus what buyers actually pay for when they acquire a specialized book.

Buying a Cannabis Accounting Firm in 2026: The 280E Moat Play

Cannabis accounting firms trade at 1.35x revenue in 2026. Here's how to value the 280E moat, spot red flags, and structure the earn-out.

The Firmlever Weekly Roundup: Issue #46

FirmLever Network hits 138 firms, $120M revenue, $769K in live client listings. See real deal flow stats and apply for early access.

Selling a Cannabis Accounting Firm in 2026: What Buyers Actually Pay For

Cannabis accounting firms trade at 0.9x to 1.35x revenue in 2026. Here's what drives the premium, what kills it, and how to structure the deal.

The 2026 Fee Increase Workflow: Kill the Gut, Use the Map

A node-by-node decision map for 2026 SMB accounting fee increases. Profitability gate, scope creep, market adjustment, and delivery mechanism.