The Rapid Growth of Private Equity Investment in Public Accounting
By Joseph A. Tarasco, CPA, Accountants Advisory Group, LLC –
July 17, 2026
Private equity (PE) investment in the public accounting industry has accelerated dramatically over the past several years and continues to reshape the structure, growth strategies and competitive landscape of CPA firms.
Between 2020 and mid-2025 alone, more than 53 notable PE transactions involving U.S. accounting firms were completed, bringing $29 billion in capital into the sector. By late 2025, analysts projected that more than half of the largest 30 U.S. accounting firms would have some form of PE investment or strategic partnership, a dramatic shift from 2020, when none had external private capital ownership.
Consolidation Strategy Trends
One of the most visible trends in PE’s involvement in accounting firms is the platform strategy. In this model, PE investors acquire a sizable platform firm and then use it to purchase smaller regional or specialty practices, creating a larger national or multi-regional organization. The goal is to create economies of scale in technology, marketing, operations and talent management while expanding service offerings. Examples in the market are Citrin Cooperman, Aprio and EisnerAmper.
In contrast, some PE-backed organizations operate more like umbrella organizations or networks. In this type of arrangement, the parent company sits above multiple firms, but the firms continue to operate more independently. The firms may retain their local brand and leadership, but the parent company provides shared services such as technology, HR, marketing, recruiting and capital for acquisitions. An example of this in the market is Ascend.
Expansion Beyond Traditional Accounting Services
Another significant trend in PE investment is the expansion of accounting firms into higher-margin advisory and consulting services. While traditional audit and tax compliance work remains foundational, PE-backed firms are investing heavily in advisory services.
Technology Investment and AI Integration
Technology is another major focus of PE investment in accounting firms. Investors are funding upgrades in cloud accounting platforms, workflow automation and artificial intelligence (AI) tools designed to improve efficiency and client service.
In some cases, PE-backed firms pursue aggressive technology-driven growth strategies. For example, one accounting platform backed by venture and PE investors has announced plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in acquisitions and AI-driven tools to modernize accounting operations.
These investments aim to reduce manual processes, improve productivity and enable firms to scale faster without increasing headcount in proportion. As talent shortages continue to affect the accounting profession, automation and technology adoption have become critical components of many PE investment strategies.
Succession Planning and Talent Challenges
Succession planning remains one of the primary reasons accounting firms consider PE partnerships. Many firms face an aging partner base and limited internal capital to fund partner buyouts. PE provides liquidity for retiring partners while allowing firms to invest in growth initiatives, technology and talent recruitment.
PE investors often introduce professional management structures, centralized operations and performance metrics designed to improve efficiency and profitability. While these changes can accelerate growth, they also introduce cultural shifts within traditional partner-driven organizations.
Industry Debate
Despite the rapid growth of PE involvement in accounting, the trend remains controversial within the profession. Critics argue that external investors may prioritize short-term returns over long-term professional standards, particularly in audit practices where independence and public trust are critical.
Regulators and professional organizations have also raised questions about governance, audit quality and potential conflicts of interest under PE ownership models. As a result, many PE-backed accounting structures separate audit practices from advisory businesses or maintain strict regulatory compliance frameworks.
Outlook for the Profession
PE investment is expected to remain a defining force in the accounting profession over the next decade. With billions of dollars in available capital and continued consolidation opportunities, PE-backed platforms are likely to expand their presence across regional and mid-tier firms.
At the same time, the profession is entering what many analysts describe as the next phase of PE involvement, where firms must demonstrate sustained growth, successful integrations and clear value creation beyond simple consolidation.
PE is not just introducing new capital into public accounting it is reshaping how firms are structured, grow and compete. Firms that successfully integrate investment capital with strong governance, technology adoption and advisory expansion will emerge as the leaders in this evolving landscape.
 | Joseph A. TarascoJoseph A. Tarasco, CPA, is CEO and senior consultant at Accountants Advisory Group, LLC and a member of the NJCPA. More content by Joseph A. Tarasco: |
This article appeared in the summer 2026 issue of New Jersey CPA magazine. Read the full issue.