What does it really take to grow an accounting firm from $500M to $1.5B in revenue? In this episode of M&A Diaries, host James speaks with Alan Whitman, former CEO of Baker Tilly, to unpack the strategy, discipline, and cultural clarity that drove their rapid rise. If you're considering acquisitions, private equity, or scaling your firm beyond a lifestyle business, this is essential listening.

✅ Why organic growth still trumps acquisitions—and how to reignite it

✅ How to spot cultural alignment before you sign the deal

✅ A people-first playbook for post-acquisition integration

✅ What smaller firms can learn from billion-dollar growth journeys

✅ Why “discipline equals freedom” when leading innovation

✅ The honest truth about PE, globalisation, and the future of accounting

Alan doesn’t hold back—sharing battle-tested insights and stories from over 20 M&A deals, including how Baker Tilly evaluated targets, avoided cultural misfires, and built a high-performance firm without losing its soul.

#Accounting #MandA #FirmGrowth #PrivateEquity

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