It’s been a busy few weeks in the world of UK accountancy. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the trade press: or just noticing the signs changing on the high street: you’ll have seen a flurry of activity that suggests the “Great Consolidation” is moving into a higher gear.
In just the first week of June 2026, we’ve seen BK Plus snap up Aggarwal and Co down in Kent, while Azets has officially crossed the water to acquire Muldoon in Belfast. WLR Group has headed to the South West to pick up Blackwell Bate in Saltash, and DJH recently added some serious tax muscle by acquiring Forbes Dawson in Altrincham. Even in the capital, the movement is constant, with BKL making a significant move in Canary Wharf with the acquisition of RBS Chartered Accountants.
It feels like every time you put the kettle on for a proper mug of tea, another "local" firm has become a "national hub."
As a retiring accountant or a firm owner looking at the future, you have to ask: is the "local" feel of these practices surviving the transition? Or is the personal touch being traded in for a corporate handbook and a call centre?
The Allure of the 'National Hub'
There’s a reason this is happening. The UK market for accountancy mergers & acquisitions is white-hot right now. For many owners, the idea of joining a larger group feels like the ultimate "freedom." You get to tap into massive resources, broader service lines, and: let's be honest: a very tidy practice sale price based on those hard-earned recurring fees.
The narrative from the big buyers is always the same: "We’re building a regional powerhouse. We’re centralising the back office so you can focus on the clients."
It sounds great on paper. But as many accountancy practice buyers are finding out, the reality of a practice acquisition can be a bit more… "corporate" than expected. When a firm like Blackwell Bate: a staple of the Saltash community: becomes part of a national group, the view of the Tamar Bridge stays the same, but the feeling inside the office often changes.
When 'Direct Access' Becomes 'Ticket Number 402'
The core USP of most small-to-mid-sized UK firms is the relationship. Clients stay because they can pick up the phone and speak directly to a partner. They don't want a "relationship manager" or a "hub coordinator"; they want the person who knows their business inside out.
When a selling accountancy firm joins a national conglomerate, that direct access is often the first thing to go. You’re no longer just "the local accountant"; you’re part of a "specialist M&A house" portfolio. The focus shifts from the client’s kitchen table to the group’s quarterly EBITDA targets.
At Bains Watts Ltd, I see this tension every day. I work with owners who are incredibly proud of what they’ve built. They want to sell their practice, but they don’t want to see their legacy diluted into a bland, corporate soup. They want a practice merger UK style: one that respects the local roots and the personal touch.
How Much is Your Accountancy Practice Worth, Really?
Valuation is the big question. If you’re looking at accountancy practices for sale and wondering where you fit, don’t be fooled by the "one-size-fits-all" multiples often thrown around by non-specialist accountancy brokers.
A true accountancy practice valuation isn't just a spreadsheet exercise based on gross recurring fees. It’s about the quality of the team, the niche specialisms (like the tax expertise DJH found in Forbes Dawson), and the "stickiness" of the client base.
I’ve spent my career as a specialist in the sale, purchase, and valuation of accountancy practices in the UK. My approach is 100% focused on accountants. When you deal with me, Peter Watson, you aren't getting a call centre or a junior account manager. You're getting me. We look at the market-based, practical valuation of your firm, and we plan a strategy: whether that’s an outright sale, a deferred sale, or a phased step-back strategy.
Navigating the Flurry of 2026 Deals
The recent deals highlight two very different paths for the modern practitioner:
- The Corporate Route: Joining a firm like Azets or BK Plus. This is often the right move for those wanting a fast exit and a high-volume environment. It’s "The Great Consolidation" in action.
- The Independent Route: Finding a bespoke buyer: perhaps a younger practitioner looking to buy an accountancy practice to grow their own legacy, or a smaller merger where the local brand remains front and centre.
Both paths are valid, but they require very different types of guidance. If you are a retiring accountant, you aren't just selling a "book of fees." You’re handing over decades of trust. That requires a niche M&A house approach where confidentiality isn't just a buzzword: it’s the central USP.
Is it Time to Sell Your Practice?
The market is currently offering some lucrative new opportunities for those ready to move. Whether you’re looking for a bookkeeping business for sale or you’re a partner in a multi-million-pound firm in Canary Wharf like RBS, the demand for high-quality UK practices has never been higher.
But don’t get swept up in the "consolidation fever" without a plan. You need to know:
- What is my actual practice valuation in today's climate?
- How will my staff be treated in a practice acquisition?
- What does my exit strategy look like over the next 2-3 years?
The Bains Watts Way: Personal, Professional, No Pressure
I’ve always believed that the best deals happen when both parties feel supported, not pressured. My business is built on honest, experienced advice. I provide a direct-touch service because I know that for you, this isn't just a transaction: it's your life's work.
If you’re looking for accountancy practices for sale or thinking about selling your practice, don’t settle for a corporate conveyor belt. Let’s have a confidential, one-to-one conversation about your goals. No call centres, no account managers: just me and you, figuring out the best path forward for your firm.
Whether you're in Kent, Belfast, Saltash, or the heart of London, the "local" feel of accountancy is worth protecting. Let’s make sure your legacy ends up in the right hands.
Ready to discuss your practice's future?
Book a confidential chat with Peter Watson here
You can also find more resources on accountancy mergers and how to buy a practice on our website: www.bainswatts.co.uk.