Buying a Practice
At Accounting & Tax Brokerage, our team of experienced industry professionals is dedicated to helping you find the right practice — one that truly fits you. We understand that every buyer brings unique strengths, backgrounds, and goals to the table. That’s why we take the time to match you with a firm that aligns with your skills, experience, and personality — factors that directly impact your long-term success in the business.
The first step in your search is to complete our brief Buyer Profile & NDA. This simple form takes just a couple of minutes and gives us insight into your background and what you’re looking for in a practice. If you’d prefer a more in-depth conversation, feel free to contact us directly — we’re happy to discuss your goals and how we can help.
Once you’ve submitted your Buyer Profile, we’ll create an account for you on our website. This account allows you to log in and access detailed information about any practice you’re interested in. Each listing includes a downloadable Practice Profile, which provides in-depth details such as financial summaries, staffing, office setup, and other key information to help you evaluate the opportunity.
Have questions about the buying process, available practices, or financing options? Give us a call at (855) 428-2225 for a personalized overview, or email Steve directly at steve@atbcal.com. We’re here to help.
Put our expertise to work for you
What to Know
To get started, complete the Buyer Profile & NDA. If you’ve already submitted these forms, you should have an active account. Simply click the “Log In” link in the upper right corner of our website to access additional information on current listings. Your username is the email address you provided during sign-up. If you’ve forgotten your password, you can easily reset it using the “Forgot Password” link on the login screen.
Once you’re logged in, navigate to the homepage or any individual listing page. You’ll find a Download button next to each listing — simply click it to access the full Practice Profile PDF.
If a practice catches your interest after reviewing the Practice Profile, please contact us directly. We can share additional details and let you know about any specific requirements or preferences from the Seller. At that stage, we may also ask for a bit more information about your background and your plans for the firm to ensure a strong potential fit.
If the practice appears to be a good fit for both you and the Seller, we’ll schedule an introductory call. This conversation is a key step in the process and offers valuable insight into whether the firm aligns with your goals and expectations. To help you prepare — and to understand what comes next — please refer to the following FAQ sheets for more information.
We can help you access the capital you need
Financing
Sellers may or may not be open to offering significant financing, even to qualified buyers. In many cases, they prefer to make that decision after meeting the buyer and gaining a better understanding of their experience, credit profile, and ability to care for the client base. These factors play a critical role in whether Seller financing is considered.
When Seller financing isn’t an option, we can connect you with reputable lenders who specialize in the accounting and tax industry. These lenders understand the unique dynamics of practice sales and are well-versed in the nuances of the profession. Working with an experienced industry lender helps ensure a smoother, more efficient financing process from start to finish.
Just like client relationships, lending solutions are not one-size-fits-all. We work with a variety of lenders — including SBA specialists, lenders who work exclusively with CPAs, and commercial lenders who can often offer faster closings and lower fees than traditional SBA loans. The best financing option depends on the specifics of the practice, as well as the buyer’s experience, current business operations, and credit profile.
SBA loans are a popular financing option, often requiring as little as 10% down and often including an additional 10% for working capital at closing. With a 10-year amortization, SBA loans typically offer positive cash flow after debt service from day one — making them attractive to many buyers. Some lenders will allow revenue guarantee funds to be held in escrow for up to one year to cover any negotiated client loss, while others may require the guarantee to be structured as a seller note. A few lenders, however, do not permit revenue guarantees at all under SBA loan terms.
Commercial loans typically require 10% to 30% down, which can sometimes be structured as a combination of buyer cash and a seller note. These loans often come with lower interest rates and reduced fees compared to SBA financing, but they can be more challenging to qualify for. Amortization terms are generally shorter — usually 5 to 7 years — although 10-year terms may be available for larger firms. Commercial lenders also tend to have stricter income and credit requirements.
When available, Seller financing is typically considered when the buyer offers a larger down payment — usually between 30% and 50% or more — and agrees to shorter repayment terms, often between 1 to 3 years. While the size and structure of the firm can influence these terms, most Seller-financed deals we see fall within this general range.
As you review the Practice Profile, be sure to examine the Profit & Loss details on the final page. The “Adjusted” column reflects Seller Discretionary Expenses and is intended to give you a preliminary estimate of available cash flow. You can use a simple online amortization calculator to estimate debt service and assess whether the practice is financially viable for your needs. While all figures are based on the Seller’s financials, they should always be independently verified during your due diligence period.
We will find the right practice based on your needs
What to Expect
Finding the right firm can take time, so it’s important to keep your options open — especially as more practices transition to remote operations. For example, you may be located in Orange County, but a mostly remote practice in Santa Clara might only require the occasional in-person visit. Expanding your search criteria can increase your chances of finding a great fit, faster. No matter what type of practice you’re looking for, our team is always available by email to answer questions and offer guidance throughout the process.
Accounting Practice Purchase Flowchart
