The Firmlever Weekly Roundup: Issue #38
The "Client Handoff" Edition
I posted on LinkedIn yesterday about buying client blocks from accounting firms.
Not buying firms. Just the clients that they've outgrown.
Within 13 hours, over 30 firms reached to me as buyers.
Here's what's happening:
I keep talking to mid-sized firm owners sitting on 40, 60, 100+ clients they don't want anymore.
Not bad clients--clients the firm outgrew. Too small for the overhead. Too low-fee to justify a senior reviewer touching the file.
Partners want them gone, but firing clients is awkward and selling a handful of small accounts through a broker isn't worth the hassle.
Meanwhile solos and small firms are starving for exactly those clients.
- Low overhead
- Tech-native
- Happy to take a book of 20–50 QBO clients at $1,500–$3,000/year.
They just can't find them.
That's why I'm building Firmlever Handoff--a private deal flow channel where I source and vet client blocks from small to mid-sized firms and match them to qualified buyers.
We have 3 open blocks right now with 2 more listing next week.
Sellers: If your accounting/tax/bookkeeping firm has clients you've outgrown and you'd rather get a check than manage the awkward breakup--reply to this email with a rough client count and revenue estimate. I already have the buyers waiting. I can give you a preliminary valuation within 48 hours.
Buyers: Here are the current open deals. Email me at marc@firmlever.com with the Deal ID and your criteria:
The current listings:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1htEqNbz5g7pY94udvUE5cbBvfRfWS0gsh_GjRiiSX8M/edit?usp=sharing
Next Up:
If you missed it last week I just released an early copy of a book I'm writing chapter by chapter in public, The Exit Ready Firm:
You can grab an early preview edition for free here (direct link to Google Doc):
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16lVX3y4ggDMSXawgy08vOxzpL77HwZ_c/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106063772848641552040&rtpof=true&sd=true
It covers:
- The 4 buyer types (and which pays the highest multiple)
- The "Key Person Risk" test that kills deals
- The diligence landmines and how to defuse them
- The leverage points most sellers never use
A special thanks for the many firm owners and industry experts who provided feedback including:
- Ben Towne, CPA/ABV/CFF
- David Thach CPA, CEPA
- Mike Trillo
- Aaron Beauclair
One more thing.
I've benchmarked 240+ accounting firms. The ones that get premium multiples aren't always the biggest--they're the ones that knew their gaps before buyers found them.
The Pre-Exit Readiness Assessment: 8-dimension operational diagnostic, benchmarked against my database, with a gap analysis, roadmap, PDF report, and a 60-minute 1-on-1 call with me.
$997. Results in 2 days. Money-back guarantee. Limited to 6 per month.
Whether you're selling soon or just want to know if your firm is an asset or a job.
That's it for this week!
Best,
Marc Howard
Founder, Firmlever
p.s. - If you found this newsletter valuable please forward to someone who you think may also enjoy!
