In this Deal Decode edition of the 7 Minute Takeover, Eamonn Gamble and Robert Irwin break down a marketplace listing for an accounting and financial services firm on Vancouver Island, BC. With 35+ years in business, eight staff, and subscription-based revenues trending upward, the firm offers a stable foundation with meaningful growth potential.
Eamonn and Rob explore what makes this opportunity attractive—and what risks buyers should watch for. They dive into the industry’s resilience through economic cycles, the rise of advisory services, and how cloud tech and AI are reshaping bookkeeping.
They also flag critical diligence items: labor shortages in accounting, cybersecurity risks, competition from both local firms and the Big Four, and the need to verify profitability, client contracts, and staff qualifications.
Key insights include:
Why subscription-based revenue and client trust are major assets
How accounting’s shift toward advisory services opens new growth avenues
The looming CPA labor shortage and how it impacts acquisitions
Cybersecurity as a non-negotiable diligence factor
What buyers must validate: profitability margins, client mix, employee retention, and tech stack readiness
For buyers exploring professional services acquisitions, this episode offers a rapid-fire decode of what makes accounting firms attractive, and where to dig deeper before making an offer.
