CPA Shortage Looming

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) reports that in less than five years, 75 percent of all CPAs will be at or very near retirement age. Naturally, there’s an undercurrent of panic in the profession. Small and midsize firm owners are reluctant to sell to large operations, not to mention the pain of watching what they’ve spent a lifetime to create simply disappear. There’s also the concern for long-time loyal employees and what such transactions might hold for their fate.

For those looking to retire, the answer seems to be merging with firms of a similar size. Mergers within the industry aren’t uncommon. What is rare is the watershed of transactions currently flooding the country. Consultants are on record saying that for every three accounting firm mergers they advise on, two involve succession planning. Check out all the details at crainsnewyork.com.