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.