CEO
Aprio Advisory Group, LLC
Richard Kopelman is CEO of Aprio, the 20th largest business advisory, tax, and accounting firm in the U.S. Since becoming CEO in 2013, he has been the architect behind Aprio's transformation from a 250-person local firm in Atlanta into a nationally recognized, fully integrated platform spanning accounting, wealth management, legal, and talent services. Under his leadership, Aprio has completed 50+ acquisitions and grown to 3,500+ team members across 49 offices globally. Richard was named to Accounting Today's 2026 100 Most Influential People in Accounting.
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.