ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this episode of Beyond Tax Season, Trow sits down with Tom Angelo of HBK to explore what buyers actually look for when evaluating accounting firms. Tom shares lessons from his own journey, from joining a small three-partner firm out of college and helping grow it into a multimillion-dollar practice, to eventually merging with HBK and now sitting on the other side of the acquisition table.
They discuss what separates an attractive firm from one a buyer may walk away from, including strong client service, modern technology and workflows, reduced owner dependency, a healthy culture, and a team capable of carrying client relationships forward.
Tom also breaks down why advisory works best when firms develop industry expertise, how HBK develops future partners through its Accelerate leadership program, why succession planning needs to begin long before retirement, and how AI is changing the work young accountants should be doing.
Whether you plan to sell, merge, build an internal succession plan, or simply create a stronger firm, this conversation offers a practical look at building a business that can thrive beyond its owner.
