How to Find a Merger Candidate

Source: Partner’s Report—the Monthly Update for CPA Firm Owners

• Take a strategic view—incorporate the following into your strategic plan.
  • Identify the kinds of candidates that are compatible with your firm.
  • Set goals for completing mergers for the short term and long term. Prepare an action plan to achieve these goals.
• Do the following to find firms:
  • Use outside professionals.
  • Network at industry meetings.
• If the culture of the “selling” firm is not compatible with yours, be prepared to abandon the deal. But be flexible.
• Be candid with any candidates about the kind of firm that will be compatible with yours.

From Partner’s Reportt—the Monthly Update for CPA Firm Owners, January 2007, p. 8. For subscription information contact Institute of Management & Administration, Inc., 3 Park Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10016-5902. One-year subscription $399. 212-244-0360, [email protected].