CPA Directory ecosystem
CPA firms — multi-partner accounting practices
A CPA firm gives you bench depth — audit, tax, advisory, and attest under one roof. Use this guide to pick the right firm size and practice area for your business.
Firm size
Sole practitioner vs regional vs national
Firm size dictates pricing, responsiveness, and bench depth. Match it to the complexity of your work, not your revenue.
- Sole / micro (1–5 staff): personal service, lower fees, limited bench
- Local / regional (10–100 staff): full service, mid-market sweet spot
- Top 100 / national: SEC-registrant work, audit, complex multi-state
- Big 4 (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC): public companies and global advisory
Practice areas
What CPA firms offer beyond tax
Most firms cluster around four practice lines. The right firm has at least two that match your needs.
- Tax — compliance, planning, IRS representation
- Assurance — audits, reviews, compilations
- Advisory / consulting — CFO, M&A, valuation
- Outsourced accounting — bookkeeping, controller, payroll
FAQ
Common questions
What's the difference between a CPA firm and a solo CPA?
A firm has multiple licensed CPAs plus support staff. Solos work alone or with one or two assistants. Firms can absorb client growth and cover specialized work; solos offer deeper personal relationships at lower cost.
How do I evaluate a CPA firm?
Check peer review status, partner-to-staff ratio, industry concentration, software stack, and turnaround SLAs. Ask for three references in your industry and a sample engagement letter.
How much do CPA firms charge?
Partner rates run $300–$650/hr; senior managers $200–$400/hr; staff $100–$200/hr. Fixed-fee monthly retainers for SMBs typically run $1,500–$8,000.
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