Are Accounting Firm GRF Multiples Dead? What’s Actually Being Paid in 2026
For decades, if you asked any UK accountant what their firm was worth, the answer was almost Pavlovian: "One times gross recurring fees." It was the gold standard, the simple rule of thumb that governed every accountancy practice valuation from Penzance to Perth. But as we navigate the landscape of 2026, the question I’m getting […]
Does a 1.2x GRF Multiple Still Matter? The Truth About Accountancy Practice Valuations UK in 2026
If you’ve spent more than five minutes thinking about an exit strategy over the last decade, you’ve heard the number: 1.2x. For years, the 1.2x Gross Recurring Fee (GRF) multiple has been the "golden rule" of Accountancy Practice Valuation. It was the benchmark every retiring accountant aimed for and every buyer expected to pay. But […]
Are Peak Accountancy Practice Valuations UK Over? What’s Really Happening to GRF Multiples Right Now
If you’re a partner or a sole practitioner looking at the current landscape of the UK profession in mid-2026, you’ve likely heard the whispers. For years, we’ve seen a relentless climb in accountancy practice valuations UK wide. With private equity money flooding the market and massive consolidators like Azets and BK Plus snapping up firms, […]
Are Accountancy Practice Valuations UK Peaking? 5 Reasons 2026 is a Critical Year
If you’ve been keeping one eye on the market while the other is buried in tax returns, you’ve likely noticed a bit of a "gold rush" feeling over the last couple of years. Since 2024, the UK accountancy sector has seen some eye-watering multiples. But as we sit here in July 2026, the question I’m […]
Are Peak Accountancy Practice Valuations UK Over? The Truth About 2026 GRF Multiples
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the market for accountancy practices for sale over the last few years, you’ve likely heard the whispers. For a long time, the “1x GRF” (Gross Recurring Fees) multiple was seen as the gold standard, a steady, reliable benchmark that every retiring accountant could hang their hat on. Then […]
Do You Still Get a 1.2x GRF Multiple? My Truth About Accountancy Practice Valuations UK in 2026
For as long as I’ve been an accountancy broker, the “1.2x” figure has been the magic number whispered in corridors and at ICAEW regional networking events. It was the standard. The benchmark. The expectation. But as we sit here in July 2026, the question I’m asked most often when I’m carrying out an accountancy practice […]
Direct Support vs Corporate Brokerage: Why the Personal Touch Matters
Hi, I’m Peter Watson. If you are reading this, there is a good chance you are standing at a crossroads. You’ve spent decades building your practice, nurturing client relationships, and navigating the ever-shifting landscape of UK tax law. Now, whether you’re a retiring accountant or looking for a strategic accountancy practice merger, you’re thinking about […]
Personal Touch vs Corporate: Why Direct Contact Matters in Practice Sales
Selling your accountancy practice is arguably the most significant professional decision you will ever make. It is the culmination of years: perhaps decades: of late nights, tax seasons, and building trusted relationships with your clients. So, when the time comes to look at the exit door, why would you trust that legacy to a corporate […]
Are Accountancy Practice Valuations UK Peaking? 5 Reasons 2026 is a Critical Year
If you’ve been keeping a close eye on the market for accountancy practices for sale recently, you’ll know that the landscape has been shifting. As we move through 2026, many owners are asking the same question: “Have I missed the boat, or is now the absolute peak time to sell my practice?” I’ve spent years […]
Why the MTD ITSA Rollout Will Change the Way You Sell Your Accountancy Practice UK in 2026
It is Thursday, June 25, 2026. If you are an accountancy practice owner in the UK, you have likely spent the last few months in a whirlwind of digital onboarding, software troubleshooting, and client hand-holding. The first major wave of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD ITSA) for those with a gross […]