Are Accountancy Practice Valuations UK Peaking? 5 Things You Should Know in 2026
If you’ve been keeping a close eye on the market lately, you’ll know that the last couple of years have been something of a "golden era" for anyone looking to sell an accountancy practice. We’ve seen a frenzy of activity, driven largely by private equity firms snapping up mid-tier practices and a steady stream of […]
Are Accountancy Practice Valuations UK Peaking? 5 Reasons 2026 is a Critical Year
Hello there. It’s Thursday, the 2nd of April 2026, and if you’re running an accountancy firm in the UK right now, you’ve likely noticed that the ground is shifting beneath your feet. I’m Peter Watson, and for years I’ve been helping practice owners navigate the highs and lows of the M&A market. Lately, the question […]
PE Vs Traditional Buyers: Which Is Better For Your Practice Sale?
If you’ve spent the last twenty or thirty years building your accountancy practice, the thought of hanging up the calculator for the last time is both exciting and, let’s be honest, a bit daunting. You’ve built relationships, nurtured a team, and accumulated a solid portfolio of recurring fees. Now, you’re looking at the exit door. […]
7 Mistakes You’re Making with Companies House ID Verification (and How to Fix Them)
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the regulatory landscape lately, you’ll know that the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) has landed with quite a thud on the desks of UK business owners. For those of us in the accountancy world, it’s not just another bit of red tape; it’s a fundamental shift […]
The Rise of the Consolidators: What it Means for the Independent Accountant
If you have been running your firm for more than a few years, your inbox probably looks a lot like mine: full of "confidential enquiries" from people you’ve never met, asking if you’ve considered selling your accountancy firm. It’s no secret that the UK accountancy market is currently in the middle of a massive transformation. […]
The Data Pitfalls That Kill Practice Valuations (and How to Avoid Them)
You’ve spent years, maybe decades, building your firm. You’ve weathered the storm of MTD, navigated the complexities of various Finance Bills, and acted as the "fourth emergency service" for your clients during the pandemic. But when it comes time to finally sell your practice, I see far too many owners get a nasty shock. The […]
Beyond the Hype: Building a Winning AI Tech Stack for Your Accountancy Practice
Let’s be honest for a second. If you open LinkedIn or any professional journal lately, you can’t move for headlines about Artificial Intelligence. It’s either going to save the world or take our jobs: depending on who you listen to. But if you’re a firm owner in the UK, you probably don't care about the […]
The Private Equity “Gold Rush”: Is Your Practice the Perfect Bolt-On?
If you’ve been keeping even half an eye on the accountancy trade press lately, you’ll have noticed a recurring theme. Whether it’s Accountancy Age or the latest ICAEW updates, the headlines are dominated by one phrase: Private Equity. It feels like a bit of a gold rush, doesn't it? As we move through March 2026, […]
The “Human Glue”: Why Your Team Culture Drives Practice Valuation More Than Your P&L
When most people think about a practice valuation, they immediately go for the spreadsheets. They look at the recurring fees, the EBITDA, the overheads, and the bottom line. And don’t get me wrong: those numbers are vital. You can’t sell accountancy practice assets without a solid financial foundation. But in my years as one of […]
MTD for ITSA 2026: Is This the Final Line in the Sand for Your Practice?
It’s Wednesday, the 25th of March, 2026. If you’re anything like the dozens of practitioners I’ve spoken to this week, you’re probably staring at your calendar with a mixture of disbelief and, let’s be honest, a bit of dread. In exactly twelve days, the landscape of UK tax changes forever. Making Tax Digital for Income […]