Start with the client footprint, not just the office
A practice described as being in Wiltshire may serve clients across a much wider area. Before deciding it fits, establish where clients and staff are based, how meetings take place and what travel or office coverage the buyer would need.
Tell Peter whether your search is limited to Wiltshire or can include neighbouring areas. Distinguish a new operating base from a bolt-on acquisition to your existing firm: the staffing, premises and handover requirements may be very different.
Prepare for a whole-practice handover
- Understand the recurring-fee mix and seasonal workflow, not only annual GRF.
- Identify the responsibilities currently carried by the owner and how they would transfer.
- Check team capacity, recruitment needs and software migration before planning growth.
- Establish which client relationships need a personal introduction and a longer transition.
- Compare funding, deferred payments and integration costs against a realistic cash-flow plan.
Make your acquisition brief usable
Set out preferred locations, fee range, service mix, available management capacity, premises needs and the date you could begin due diligence. State whether you need the seller to remain for an agreed period. A precise brief helps distinguish a plausible acquisition from one that would overstretch the firm.
Advertised and confidential opportunities
See the main UK opportunities page for indicative advertised information. Listings can change and are not offers for sale. Peter checks current availability and buyer suitability before detailed disclosure; this regional guide does not announce an additional Wiltshire listing.
For a smaller acquisition, read about buying a block of accountancy fees. For a whole practice, use the buying process and due-diligence checklist to plan the next steps.