If you’ve spent the past few years watching the market fluctuate, wondering about the right moment to sell your accountancy practice, you’re not alone. 2025 is already shaping up as an exciting year for accountancy practice owners in the UK weighing their succession planning options. Let’s break down why now is, by most metrics, a prime window to sell your accountancy firm – and why market activity is so buoyant.
UK Accountancy Sector: Market Recovery & Unprecedented Buyer Activity
It’s no secret that the UK’s accountancy sector has bounced back in 2025 after a rocky patch in 2024’s contraction. According to industry reports, consulting alone is expected to surge by 5% this year, with the entire professional services market regaining some serious momentum. This increased optimism is getting noticed by both strategic acquirers and the ever-growing army of private equity funds seeking accountancy practices for sale.
What’s fuelling all this renewed demand?
1. Private Equity Has Entered the Chat
If you’re searching for “sell accountancy practice” or “accountancy practice buyers,” you’ll spot a new breed of buyer: private equity. Previously more interested in tech or manufacturing, private equity houses have woken up to the appeal of the accountancy profession in the UK—particularly the strong recurring fees and predictable cash flow that most firms boast.
Just look at some of the headline deals this year (such as Cinven’s acquisition of a majority stake in Grant Thornton UK), and you’ll see how hungry these buyers are for scale, digital capability, and solid books of recurring clients.
Why is PE so interested?
- Recurring revenue: PE wants dependable income streams.
- Scalability: UK accountancy practices offer real growth through bolt-on acquisitions and cross-selling.
- Digital transformation: Practices investing in technology command higher multiples—and PE has the resources to fast-track digital change.
2. Strategic Buyers Are Back Too
While private equity is splashing the cash, traditional acquirers aren’t sitting this cycle out. Regional and national accountancy firms, as well as ambitious small groups, are again on the acquisition trail, keen to buy accountancy practice opportunities and build critical mass. With so many retiring accountant-led firms coming to market after a hesitant 2024, there’s a better choice for buyers—and, crucially, more competitive bidding for sellers.
Timing Your Sale: When Is the Best Moment?
We get asked all the time: “When is the best time to sell an accountancy firm?” The answer depends on your goals, but the data is clear—most deals (especially those involving accountancy practice mergers) close in January or February. Here’s why:
- Buyers want pre-tax season integration: There’s value in onboarding the new book before the work ramps up.
- Smoother staff & client transitions: Working together during tax season helps build trust quickly.
- Financials are fresh: With year-end stats in, valuations are more accurate, and buyers can see recurring fee trends clearly.
But don’t discount the rest of the calendar—deals happen year-round when the fit is right, especially for well-run bookkeeping businesses for sale or tech-driven firms ready for acquisition.
The Digital Premium: Why Tech-Forward Firms Sell for More
If you’re thinking about a future practice sale, invest in digital. Savvy buyers will pay a premium for firms with:
- Strong cloud accounting adoption
- Proprietary digital processes or workflows
- Data analytics and advisory capability
These features increase client stickiness (those recurring fees again) and offer buyers scale and resilience—two magic words in accountancy mergers & acquisitions.
This is why firms that have pushed digital transformation, automated workflow, or integrated AI are now hot properties, with strategic buyers and private equity both seeking “plug and play” digital assets.
Proving Value: Accountancy Practice Valuation Drivers in 2025
Valuing your accountancy practice has never been more nuanced. Gone are the days of basic fee multiples as the main rule of thumb.
Key drivers include:
- Recurring revenue percentage
- Client retention rates
- EBITDA margins
- Depth of advisory services
- Geographical reach
- Staff retention and succession risk
Accountancy brokers like myself, Peter Watson, can help you make sense of the latest formulas and show you where private equity, consolidators, and retiring accountant-led businesses are bidding up values.
For a deeper dive, check out my guide to accountancy practice valuation.
Why Are Buyers So Active in 2025?
1. Increased Dry Powder
Private equity firms spent much of 2024 sitting on the sidelines. As interest rates have stabilised and inflation cooled, they’re eager to deploy their capital—meaning more “accountancy practice buyers” are active than in any previous cycle.
2. Digital Arms Race
Traditional accountancy firms know they must digitise to compete; if you possess a practice that’s already cloud-based or leveraging AI, you can fetch a premium price in the current landscape.
3. Demographic Pressure
The “retiring accountant” wave is swelling, with many owners seeing now as the moment to sell their practice, triggering a bumper crop of listings. More sellers does mean more competition, but buyer demand is so strong that well-positioned firms are commanding top offers—especially where recurring fees, loyal staff, and a strong succession plan are in place.
4. Strong Recurring Fees
One of the hottest search terms—“recurring fees”—remains a central appeal for buyers, especially in volatile markets. The more visible, predictable, and sticky your fee base, the more buyers will compete for your practice for sale UK.
How to Maximise Your Accountancy Practice Sale in 2025
Selling accountancy firm is a bit different to the average business sale. Here’s what you need to get right:
1. Preparation Is Everything
Tidy your financials, standardise contracts, invest in process documentation, and clarify your client and staff communication strategies.
2. Get a Realistic Valuation
Don’t fall into the trap of overestimating or underestimating your worth. An independent practice valuation identifies the levers that boost sale price—especially those buyers are looking for this year.
3. Broaden Your Buyer Pool
Don’t just settle for a single offer. Market your practice to the widest possible range of buyers—private equity, trade buyers, regional consolidators, and more. Accountancy brokers can open these doors for you.
4. Plan the Handover
A successful accountancy practice merger or acquisition depends on a smooth transition plan. This minimises client and staff churn and protects those all-important recurring fees.
5. Use an Experienced Broker
A specialist, like Bains Watts—or more specifically, me, Peter Watson—offers insights that general business brokers don’t have, from the subtleties of buyer motivations to the “soft skills” that keep deals moving at the right pace.
Get in touch with me directly if you want a no-obligation chat about your options. Book a confidential 1-2-1 here.
Beyond 2025: What’s Next for Accountancy Practice M&A in the UK?
With so much demand, what might slow down the market? Interest rate fluctuations, future political changes, or a sudden drop in recurring client fees could reshape the buyer appetite. However, the long-term trend toward consolidation, digitisation, and regional expansion remains robust.
Buyers are actively searching for:
- Bookkeeping businesses for sale as bolt-on additions
- Practices with strong advisory and technology offerings
- Merger opportunities to create scale for PE or regional groups
It’s a seller’s market—at least for now.
Further Resources and Key Links
- How to value your accountancy practice
- Why choosing the right broker matters
- Practice sales FAQ
- See latest listings: Accountancy practices for sale UK
- Contact Peter Watson for advice
Ready to Sell, Buy or Merge? Let’s Talk.
If you’re thinking about selling your practice, merging with a larger group, or you want to acquire a practice for sale UK—2025 is your year. I’m Peter Watson, and as one of the most trusted accountancy brokers in the market, I’ll help you unlock your firm’s true value and find the right buyer for your succession.
Want honest, expert advice from someone who lives and breathes accountancy practice sales? Book a call with me today—and let’s shape your future.
Bains Watts Ltd – Bringing clarity, confidence, and connection to every practice sale, merger, or acquisition.
Related Reading:
- Is Now a Good Time to Sell Your Accountancy Practice? – RetiringAccountant.co.uk
- Accountancy Practice Valuation Insights – Viviansram.co.uk
- Latest practice mergers UK news
Keywords used:
Accountancy practices for sale, Retiring accountant, Sell accountancy practice, Buy accountancy practice, Bookkeeping business for sale, Accountancy Practice Valuation, Accountancy mergers, Accountancy practice buyers, Recurring fees, Practice acquisition, Practice sale, Selling accountancy firm, Practice mergers UK, Accountancy practice merger, Accountancy mergers & acquisitions, Sell your practice, Buy a practice, Practice valuation, Acquisition, Accountancy brokers, Practice for sale UK