As private equity interest in accounting firms accelerates, the path from initial outreach to a successful deal is proving more nuanced than many expect. From sourcing and valuation to partner alignment, governance, and post-deal integration, acquiring an accounting firm requires a deep understanding of both the business model and the people behind it.
In this interactive session, industry advisors Allan Koltin, Bob Lewis, and Phil Whitman—who field calls from PE firms every day—share what you need to know before pursuing a transaction. Each will offer a brief, focused perspective on what drives successful deals, common missteps, and how to effectively evaluate and engage with target firms.
The session will then open into a town hall-style discussion, giving PE firms the opportunity to ask candid questions and pressure-test their approach in real time. Whether you’re actively deploying capital or exploring the space, this is a chance to get unfiltered guidance from advisors who understand both sides of the table.
Moderated by Accounting Today.
Note: Space is limited to encourage open, high-value discussion.
The accounting profession is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history. Join accounting firm leaders, investors, advisors, and solution providers as we kick off PE Summit 2026 with an evening of networking and conversation. This reception provides an opportunity to connect with peers, share perspectives, and begin exploring the trends, opportunities, and challenges that will define the discussions throughout the summit.
As we transition from CPA Insights to the PE Summit, we move from exploring the profession’s many strategic paths to a deeper examination of private equity. We’ll frame the day’s discussions around what happens before, during, and after a deal—from investor priorities and transaction mechanics to the impact on firm strategy, brand, culture, technology investment, client relationships, and the realities of working with new capital partners.
Private equity continues to reshape the accounting profession, but where does the market stand today—and where is it headed next? In this opening fireside chat, Accounting Today and Intapp will share new data on firm sentiment, capital needs, technology investment, and the evolving role of private equity in accounting.
Last year’s research revealed a profession at a crossroads: Nearly half of firms reported being approached by private equity investors, yet fewer than 20% had accepted investment. At the same time, firms remained sharply divided on the issue, with roughly one-third open to private equity, one-third opposed, and the remainder undecided. The research also highlighted growing demand for capital—particularly to fund technology, AI, acquisitions, and succession planning—as a key driver of PE interest.
Join us for an exclusive first look at the latest findings and what they reveal about the future of firm ownership, investment, and growth.
A successful private equity transaction involves far more than valuation. Before firms move forward with a deal, they must determine whether a potential partner is the right fit culturally, strategically, and economically. In this panel, accounting firm leaders who have partnered with outside capital will discuss the key conversations, evaluations, and decision points that occur before a transaction is completed.
From assessing strategic alignment and long-term goals to evaluating cultural fit and economic outcomes, panelists will share the lessons they’ve learned, the questions every firm should ask, and the due diligence required to make an informed decision.
Attendees will gain a practical framework for evaluating opportunities, aligning partner groups, and determining whether a potential partnership creates lasting value for the firm, its people, and its clients.
Private equity transactions are far more complex than traditional accounting firm mergers. For many firm leaders, the process can be unfamiliar, time-consuming, and filled with unexpected twists.
In this panel, legal advisors, investment bankers, and a firm MP will walk attendees through the key stages of a transaction—from the initial letter of intent and valuation discussions to due diligence, quality-of-earnings reviews, and final deal negotiations. Panelists will explain how enterprise value and EBITDA are assessed, why deals sometimes get re-priced, how rollover equity works, and the unique challenges of allocating value within partnership structures.
Whether your firm is actively considering a transaction or simply exploring its options, this session will provide a practical roadmap for understanding the deal process and avoiding common pitfalls.
Signing the deal is only the beginning. Once a firm takes on private equity investment, leaders must navigate new expectations around growth, accountability, governance, and performance—while continuing to serve clients and maintain firm culture.
In this panel, firm leaders will share what life really looks like after the transaction closes. What changes for partners and staff? How do budgeting, reporting, and decision-making evolve? What role does the investor play in strategy and governance? And what aspects of the firm’s culture, client relationships, and day-to-day operations remain largely unchanged?
Join firms that have already made the transition for a candid discussion on the realities, challenges, and opportunities of operating under private equity ownership.
Technology has become the single biggest driver of capital demand in accounting, with firms investing heavily in AI, automation, workflow modernization, and tech stack optimization. But does private equity actually accelerate innovation, or simply provide the resources to move faster?
In this panel, technology leaders from three of the industry’s leading accounting platforms will discuss how access to capital, shared resources, and platform-level investments are influencing technology adoption across member firms. Attendees will gain insight into how firms are approaching AI, automation, tech stack consolidation, and operational modernization—and whether private equity is creating a meaningful competitive advantage in the race to build the accounting firm of the future.
When private equity firms invest in accounting firms, they’re ultimately acquiring two assets: client relationships and the teams that serve them. But if those teams are unhappy or misaligned with the deal, the value of the acquisition can deteriorate quickly—and right now, online, accountants’ perceptions of private equity are often skeptical at best. In this session, Big 4 Transparency draws on its proprietary database to reveal what really happens when firms take on private equity investment. We’ll examine the data behind these deals, uncover the impact on retention and morale, and explore strategies for keeping employees engaged through transition.
Much of the conversation around private equity focuses on managing partners and firm CEOs. But how do younger partners view the changes taking place within their firms? In this session, partners from firms that have been operating under private equity ownership for two to three years will share how investment has affected career paths, leadership opportunities, firm culture, compensation, and long-term growth. Hear how the next generation of firm leaders is experiencing—and influencing—the evolution of the profession.
Day One explored the forces driving private equity into the profession. In these closing remarks, we synthesize the key takeaways and preview Day Two’s focus on the second wave — how firms are navigating life after the deal and what the future of ownership in accounting may look like.
The first wave of private equity transformed the accounting profession. The second wave will go further.
As accounting firms and investors move beyond their initial transactions, the conversation is shifting from deal-making to value creation, integration, recapitalization, and long-term growth. While the level of interest in CPA firms remains strong, the market is becoming more competitive as growth expectations increase and firms face greater pressure to differentiate themselves.
What separates tomorrow’s winners from everyone else? How will ownership structures evolve? What happens when firms pursue a second transaction, a continuation vehicle, a recapitalization, or even a buyback?
In this opening conversation, industry leaders will examine how the private equity landscape is changing, what lessons have been learned from the first wave of deals, and what firm leaders, investors, and stakeholders should expect as the profession enters its next chapter.
The first wave of private equity in accounting was defined by platform investments and first-time transactions. The next wave will be defined by what happens after the deal.
As the pioneering private equity investments in accounting mature, firms and investors are beginning to navigate continuation vehicles, secondary transactions, recapitalizations, evolving ownership structures, and even buybacks. Research shows that nearly two in ten PE-backed firms expect their investors to sell equity within the next two years, signaling that the profession is entering a new phase of the private equity lifecycle.
This session brings together firm leaders, investors, and advisors to explore how PE firms exit investments, what those transitions mean for partners and leadership teams, and how firms are preparing for their next chapter.
Attendees will gain insight into the realities of second transactions, lessons learned from early PE partnerships, and how firms are thinking about ownership, governance, and growth as private equity in accounting continues to evolve.
Private equity has already reshaped the accounting profession—but what happens next? In this interactive town hall, industry leaders will explore how capital, consolidation, technology, and talent pressures are transforming firm ownership and operations. Will private equity become the dominant ownership model? Can independent firms continue to compete and thrive? And what will the next generation of accounting firms look like five to ten years from now? Join this forward-looking discussion on the forces shaping the future of the profession and what firm leaders should be doing today to prepare for tomorrow.