This week (the time of writing) saw the 70th (you read that right) accounting firm acquisition concluded in accounting in 2024.
If there was any question as to which way the profession was heading, I think that debate is now firmly settled.
What I call the era of SAM™ (Sell, Acquire, Merge) is staying for a while. This means standard operating procedures in multiple offices, standardised tech adoption and maybe even standardised pricing. Maybe that last one is a step too far.
On the upside, this means that your competition who get ‘Sammed’ are likely to be unable to offer as personal and caring a service as you do.
On the downside, this means that your competitors are far more able than ever before to serve larger clients, including yours.
Take out some cheap but extremely effective insurance by simply calling your best clients at the rate of just one per day and ask them how they’re doing. No agenda, no clock, just genuine, sincere interest in their progress and wellbeing.
A client call a day, often keeps the SAM firm’s poaching efforts away.
To your success,
Martin Bissett


