CPA Trendlines and Capstone Marketing are conducting a study of mergers and acquisitions in the accounting profession and are looking for firms to participate.

“We are examining the thought process behind mergers and acquisitions, along with how MA candidates are evaluated, the deal breakers, and the execution of the MA process,” said Rick Telberg, CEO of Bay Street Group LLC and publisher of CPA Trendlines, in a statement. “The study results will provide important information for the profession as well as for firms that utilize MA as part of its growth strategy.”

Interested firms can take the 10-minute survey here. Participants will receive a free copy of the topline results.

Among the preliminary results of the survey thus far:

• Financial performance is the top consideration in evaluating candidates, with culture a close second.
• Incompatible cultures are the top deal-breaker for 75 percent of respondents, yet culture assessments are ranked last among the services that respondents would hire an outside consultant for.

“Fifty-seven percent of survey respondents who have merger experience indicate that MA activity will increase moderately or significantly in the next 12 to 18 months,” said Jean Caragher, president of Capstone Marketing, in a statement. “With this level of activity, it is important to look beyond the legal, financial, and tax risk concerns to the concepts of people and organizational design that enable a business to properly function. It is equally important to assess the cultural and organizational fit between two firms and their key people.”

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