Accounting Firm Acquisition Attorney • Des Moines, Iowa

Accounting Firm Acquisition Attorney in Des Moines

By · Managing Partner
Last updated

Accounting firm acquisitions are built on a single asset: client relationships. Protecting that asset through the transaction requires non-solicitation provisions, a structured transition period, earnout mechanics tied to client retention, and a purchase agreement that reflects how accounting practices actually work. Our Des Moines accounting firm acquisition attorneys represent buyers and sellers in CPA firm and bookkeeping practice transactions across Insurance, Financial Services, Agribusiness and the professional services market, with Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky personally involved in every engagement.

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Selective M&A Practice
Personal Attention
Senior Counsel on Every Deal

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What We Do

Alex Lubyansky handles accounting firm acquisition law work for buyers and sellers in Des Moines and across the country. Here is what that looks like:

  • Purchase agreement drafting and negotiation for CPA firm and accounting practice acquisitions
  • Client retention structuring through non-solicitation provisions and transition obligations
  • Earnout and seller financing provisions tied to client and revenue retention metrics
  • Client notification and consent coordination to protect relationships through the transfer
  • Seller stay-on and transition period negotiation (typical 1 to 3 year arrangements)
  • Partner buy-in, buy-out, and co-ownership restructuring for accounting firms
  • Practice valuation review and purchase price allocation across goodwill and tangible assets
  • Book of business purchases and partial practice transfers

Who We Serve

We work best with people who know what they want and are ready to move:

  • CPAs buying an established accounting firm or book of business
  • Accounting firm owners selling to a buyer and planning a transition
  • CPAs acquiring the firm they work at from a retiring owner
  • Partners buying out a departing co-owner of a CPA firm
  • Accountants structuring a merger of two practices
  • Solo practitioners or small firm owners planning succession through a sale

See If Your Deal Is a Fit

Tell us what you are working on. We respond within one business day.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

Our Process

A structured, methodical approach to accounting firm acquisition law

1

Practice and Client Base Assessment

We review the client roster, revenue concentration, fee structure, recurring versus one-time work, and the seller's planned transition role to understand the true risk profile of the acquisition and structure the deal accordingly.

2

Valuation and Purchase Price Structure

Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky reviews the practice valuation, advises on goodwill allocation, and structures the purchase price to include seller financing or earnout provisions that align the seller's incentives with client retention after closing.

3

Purchase Agreement Drafting

We draft the asset purchase agreement addressing client list transfer, non-solicitation of clients and staff, seller transition obligations, payment terms including earnout mechanics, and representations specific to an accounting practice.

4

Client Transition Planning

We structure the client notification process, draft communication templates, and address client consent requirements to protect the relationship transfer through the ownership change.

5

Closing and Post-Closing Retention Monitoring

We manage the closing mechanics, coordinate seller financing documentation including promissory notes and security arrangements, and draft earnout calculation provisions so there is no ambiguity in how retention is measured after closing.

Request Engagement Assessment

What Happens After You Submit

We don't take every matter. Here is what happens when you reach out.

1

Personal Review (Within 24 Hours)

Alex reviews your transaction details personally. No intake coordinators, no junior associates screening your submission.

2

Fit Assessment

We evaluate whether your deal aligns with our practice. Not every matter is a fit, and we will tell you directly if it is not.

3

Initial Conversation

If there is alignment, Alex schedules a direct call to discuss your transaction, timeline, and objectives.

4

Clear Engagement Terms

Before any work begins, you receive a written engagement letter with defined scope, timeline, and fee structure. No surprises.

Request Your Des Moines Engagement Assessment

Alex Lubyansky handles every accounting firm acquisition law engagement personally.

15+ years of M&A experience. Nationwide. One attorney on every deal.

Request Engagement Assessment

We review every transaction inquiry within one business day.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

Questions to Ask Any M&A Attorney Before Hiring

Use these before you call any firm, including ours.

1. "Who will actually handle my transaction?"

At many firms, a partner sells the work and a junior associate does it. Ask for the name of the attorney who will draft and negotiate your documents.

2. "How many M&A transactions has the lead attorney closed in the past 12 months?"

Volume indicates current, active deal experience, not just credentials from years ago.

3. "What is your experience with my deal size and industry?"

A $500K SBA acquisition and a $50M PE deal require different skill sets. Make sure the attorney has handled transactions similar to yours.

4. "Will you coordinate with my CPA, financial advisor, and broker?"

M&A transactions require a team. Your attorney should work with your other advisors, not in a silo.

5. "How do you handle post-closing disputes?"

Reps, warranties, and indemnification claims surface months after closing. Ask whether the firm handles post-closing litigation or refers it out.

6. "What is your fee structure, and what drives cost?"

Ask how the engagement is scoped, what is included, and what factors drive cost increases. Defined scope with a retainer gives the clearest cost picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from Des Moines clients

What does an accounting firm acquisition attorney do?
An accounting firm acquisition attorney handles the legal side of buying or selling a CPA firm or accounting practice. Because the primary asset is client relationships rather than physical property, the work centers on non-solicitation provisions, transition period obligations, earnout structures tied to client retention, and seller financing terms. At Acquisition Stars, Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky personally handles every accounting firm transaction.
How is an accounting practice valued for sale?
Most accounting practices are valued as a multiple of gross recurring revenue, typically in the range of 0.8 to 1.3 times annual revenue depending on client mix, fee structure, geographic concentration, and how dependent the practice is on the seller's personal relationships. Practices with diversified client bases, recurring compliance work, and documented processes command higher multiples. We review the valuation methodology and purchase price allocation before you sign anything.
What is an earnout and why is it common in accounting firm acquisitions?
An earnout ties a portion of the purchase price to how much of the client base actually stays with the firm after the seller departs. Because accounting relationships are personal, buyers frequently negotiate that some portion of the price is paid over one to three years based on revenue retention. We structure earnout provisions with objective measurement criteria and clear payment mechanics so there are no disputes about what the seller is owed.
How should the seller's transition period be structured?
The transition period is critical in accounting firm acquisitions because clients follow people, not entities. A seller who leaves immediately after closing creates real retention risk. We typically negotiate a one to three year period where the seller actively introduces clients to the buyer, remains available for complex matters, and is economically motivated through deferred payments or earnout to support the transition. The terms of this arrangement belong in the purchase agreement, not a handshake.
What non-solicitation provisions are standard in a CPA firm sale?
Standard non-solicitation provisions in accounting firm acquisitions prohibit the seller from soliciting clients, staff, and referral sources for a defined period, typically two to five years. The geographic scope is less important than in other businesses because accounting relationships are personal rather than location-based. We draft provisions that are enforceable in your state and specific enough to actually protect the client base you paid for.
What can I expect during an initial consultation in Des Moines?
During your confidential initial consultation in Des Moines, we'll discuss your accounting firm acquisition law needs, review your current situation, assess potential challenges specific to Iowa, and outline a clear path forward. We'll explain our process, answer your questions, and determine if we're the right fit for your needs.
Do you work with companies outside of Des Moines?
Yes, we represent clients nationwide while maintaining a strong presence in Des Moines. Our managing partner handles accounting firm acquisition law matters across all 50 states, coordinating with local counsel where state-specific requirements apply.

Need Specific Guidance?

Submit your transaction details for a preliminary assessment by our managing partner

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Ready to Discuss Your Des Moines Deal?

Submit transaction details and Alex will respond directly.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

Des Moines Business Landscape

Key Industries:

Insurance Financial Services Agribusiness Healthcare Manufacturing

Iowa Legal Considerations for Accounting Firm Acquisition Law

Non-Compete Laws

Enforceable with reformation available. Consideration requirements apply.

Filing Requirements

Entity mergers and conversions must be filed with the Iowa Secretary of State. Annual biennial reports are required. Agricultural land acquisitions are subject to the Iowa Agricultural Areas Act and may require additional filings.

Key Iowa Considerations

  • Iowa law restricts corporate ownership of agricultural land (Iowa Code Chapter 9H), which must be considered when structuring acquisitions of farming and agribusiness operations
  • Iowa's corporate income tax reform (2022) is creating a gradually declining rate environment, which affects multi-year deal structures and earnout calculations
  • Iowa's insurance regulatory framework is robust, as the state is home to numerous insurance companies and requires detailed review of ownership changes

Iowa Bar Authority

Iowa State Bar Association. Voluntary bar. Iowa Supreme Court handles attorney admission separately.

Bar association website

Iowa Federal and Business Courts

Federal districts: N.D. Iowa, S.D. Iowa

Business court: Iowa District Court Business Specialty Court (Seventh Judicial District) (established 2013) Specialized business docket in the Seventh Judicial District (Linn County/Cedar Rapids area). Not a statewide standalone court.

Iowa M&A Market Context

Iowa M&A reflects its agricultural and food-processing base, with insurance and financial services (Des Moines) representing a significant secondary deal market.

Watchpoints

Common Des Moines Accounting Firm Acquisition Law Pitfalls

These are the items we see derail accounting firm acquisition law transactions in the Des Moines market. Each one is rooted in current statutory law, recent legislative changes, or recurring patterns from the deals Alex has handled.

1

Iowa non-compete enforcement and earn-out exposure

State legal framework

Enforceable with reformation available. Consideration requirements apply.

"Founders get excited about the check amount and focus on valuation headlines while the fine print gets glossed over."
Alex Lubyansky · Alex LinkedIn Published (Notion library)
2

Iowa regulatory framework attorneys flag at LOI

State statute

Securities regulated by Iowa Insurance Division Securities Bureau (iid.iowa.gov). Iowa follows the Uniform Securities Act of 2004; Blue Sky notice filings required for Reg D.

3

Common accounting firm acquisition law mistake from the field

From Alex Lubyansky

Your lawyer might help you close the deal. But if they're not there to help you realize its value afterward, you're leaving money on the table.

Guides and Resources

In-depth guides to help you prepare for your transaction

M&A Legal Services

Full-service M&A counsel from letter of intent through closing.

Read guide

Due Diligence Checklist

A structured approach to legal, financial, and operational due diligence.

Read guide

LOI vs Purchase Agreement

Understanding the binding and non-binding elements of each document.

Read guide

Why Deals Fail

Common deal-killers and how experienced counsel helps prevent them.

Read guide

Other Accounting Firm Acquisition Attorney Service Areas Near Des Moines

Acquisition Stars represents clients across Iowa and nationwide. Alex Lubyansky handles every engagement personally.

serving New Yorkaccounting firm acquisition attorney in Los AngelesSan Francisco accounting firm acquisition attorneyaccounting firm acquisition attorney in Chicagoserving Houstonserving BostonMiami accounting firm acquisition attorneyDetroit accounting firm acquisition attorney

Don't see your city? View all Accounting Firm Acquisition Attorney service areas or contact us directly.

Related Services in Des Moines

Statewide and Nearby Markets

Helpful Resources

Attorney perspective on accounting firm acquisition attorney matters in Des Moines

Alex Lubyansky, Managing Partner at Acquisition Stars
"Every negotiation has a clock. Right now, the clock is running louder on the sell side than it has in a decade."
Alex Lubyansky, Senior Counsel On valuation (principle) (Alex LinkedIn Drafts (AJ-Work))

15+ years of M&A and securities transaction experience Senior counsel on every engagement Admitted in Michigan, practicing nationwide

Reviewed by Alex Lubyansky on . Read full bio

Ready to Talk About Your Des Moines Deal?

Alex Lubyansky handles every engagement personally. Tell us about your transaction and we will let you know if there is a fit.

Request Engagement Assessment

Tell us about your deal. We review every submission and respond within one business day.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

One attorney on every deal. Nationwide. 15+ years of M&A experience.