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Founder Draper Hinks |
We have just celebrated our 500th completion!
We would like to thank all those accountants that have chosen to work with Draper Hinks over the years. We are very grateful and look forward to working with many more in the future. We would not be here without all the support we have had from everyone; we get such amazing positive feedback.
Contact me at n.draper@draperhinks.co.uk if you would like to discuss your situation |
Nicola Draper When buying do you consider the vendor’s feelings?
If you are considering buying some accountancy fees and have a meeting lined up with a vendor, how much time do you take to consider the vendor’s feelings? Selling an accountancy practice can be a very emotional time for the vendor. They may have been looking after some of their clients for a very long time so letting go of that working relationship is not always easy.
If you think the meeting is just about the fees, the turnover, the return on investment, payment structure of the deal, multiple paid, taking on the staff and the office then you have missed the most important part of the whole process! You need to understand how the vendor is feeling. Take notes, it is really important! Tell them that you appreciate it is a difficult decision. Let them know they will have a hard time passing over the clients. Be supportive, empathetic and considerate. If you do that you will definitely be more successful in buying fees.
Practices for Sale
| Reference | Area | Amount | Description |
| 797/260413 | Nottinghamshire | £157,433 | The vendor is relocating. Total of top 10 clients’ fees £77,028. Buyer needs to be FCA/ACA or FCCA/ACCA or FMAAT/AAT or CTA qualified. There is a rented serviced office if required. No staff, 2 subcontractors. Meetings with the vendor will be held on Tuesday, 28th April. |
| 801/260420 | Bedfordshire | £53,000 | The vendor wants to pursue a role away from the practice. The practice is VAT Registered. Total of top 10 clients’ fees £16,427. Buyer needs to be FCA/ACA or FCCA/ACCA qualified. There are no premises, so the fees need to be transferred to the buyer’s office locally. Meetings with the vendor will be held on Thursday, 14th May. |
| 803/260413 | Northumberland | £250,000 | Tranche of Fees for sale as the vendor is looking to downsize. This tranche is made up of farming clients only, so the buyer must have experience in this sector. All the clients are in the Northumberland area. There are approximately 78 farming clients plus a few additional ancillary businesses which are run by partners individually. Turnover for the year to end March 2026 is circa £240,500 for the farming clients and £9,500 for the ancillary businesses. The buyer needs to be FCA/ACA or FCCA/ACCA qualified and have experience of handling farming clients. Virtual meetings with the vendor will be arranged on an individual basis. |
Here is a testimonial from a vendor whose practice we sold in 2025:-I started to do the MTD training and came to the conclusion that it wasn’t for me, so I decided to sell my accountancy practice. I heard about Draper Hinks from the ICAEW. Nicola and her team have been a wonderful partner to work with and they have a firm understanding of the process.
My first impression was that they were professional and organised. The process they followed was straight forward and the pre and post meeting day sessions were invaluable. I relied on Nicola’s expertise and the calming influence of her team.
I was concerned that no-one would want my practice, were my files up to scratch and how would I tell my clients. I met a number of buyers on the same day and found one that was the ideal fit.
I found letting go the most difficult part of the whole process but I am now setting up a new business well away from accountancy. I would highly recommend that everyone uses the services of Draper Hinks.
Nigel Gorski (Permission given to use his name)
When things need to happen quickly, we will pull out all the stops!
Read our Vendor’s story with details of multiple paid
Details of another deal done in 2025
| Fees sold | £365,000 | Where | Hampshire |
| Qualified | ACA | Age | 59 & 57 |
| Time scale | 8 months | Type of Practice | Partnership |
| Payment | 3 tranches | How paid | 40%, 30% & 30% |
| Multiple | 1.1 x fees | When paid | Completion, 12 months & 24 months |
| Offers | 2 offers | Office & staff | Kept office & kept staff |
| Results | 2 partners – husband and wife, worked handover of 6 months, retired together | ||
Income Multiples Paid in the last 12 months
| 2025 | Quarter | Average income multiple paid | Lowest income multiple paid | Highest income multiple paid | Lowest income multiple offered | Highest income multiple offered |
| Quarter 1 | Jan – Mar | 1.06 | 0.50* | 1.20 | 0.50 | 1.20 |
| Quarter 2 | Apr – Jun | 1.016 | 0.85 | 1.20 | 0.50 | 1.20 |
| Quarter 3 | Jul – Sept | 1.021 | 0.57* | 1.20 | 0.57 | 1.20 |
| Quarter 4 | Oct – Dec | 1.02 | 0.66* | 1.25 | 0.66 | 1.25 |
NB None of the above figures are to be reproduced in any way without express permission from Nicola Draper.
* One off payment made with no clawback.
Please check out our website www.draperhinks.com where you can:-
- Download our Draper Hinks Buying Fees eBook.
- Read our monthly Blogs giving regular market commentary.
- Read our Vendor’s stories about their experiences of selling their practices.
We regularly post on LinkedIn so if you have not already connected with us please visit our page or email Marie Large on m.large@draperhinks.co.uk.
If you are thinking about buying, then email Diane Bester at d.bester@draperhinks.co.uk or Marie Large at m.large@draperhinks.co.uk.
Alternatively call us anytime on 01788 816440.