How one practitioner built a $1.5M firm designed to sell

By Fiona Ettles, Partner at FinConnect

Some people fall into succession planning. This accountant built his business around it from day one. 

In 2021, he left a larger firm where partnership felt like a distant goal. His plan was clear from the outset. Build a business that could scale, support his lifestyle, and eventually be sold before he turned 50. 

Three years later, his firm generates more than $1.5 million in annual revenue. It runs without daily oversight and is already structured for a future sale. 

Built for value, not just growth 

He started in a spare bedroom and only moved once capacity demanded it. He selected a niche client base and offered high-value services with defined scope. Cloud-based tools replaced office dependency and client meetings were run online. 

He built an offshore team early to expand delivery without the cost of city office space. He promoted a key team member to minor equity holder, locking in talent and reducing founder reliance. The transition was guided by a valuation process to ensure fairness and future planning. 

Clients are on annual agreements with monthly direct debits. There are no debtor issues and cash flow is predictable. The firm operates on a hybrid model, with the team working remotely most days and in-office together once a week. They are also trialing a nine-day fortnight, helping to maintain their position as an employer of choice, being ahead of the curve.  

Each client has multiple points of contact. The business is paperless, systemised and not dependent on any one person to function. 

A business designed to support life and enable exit 

The founder has already taken time out to travel overseas with family, staying lightly involved while the business continued to operate. The business is more profitable than he expected, and it has been structured to retain that value when he chooses to step away. 

Imagine if you could build your firm from the ground up. What would you do differently? More importantly, what is stopping you from making those changes now? 

We helped guide the valuation process that brought in a minor shareholder and unlocked the next phase of growth.

If you would like to see how your firm stacks up, and what might be holding it back in a valuation sense, get in touch if you want to chat.

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