Buying or Selling an Accounting Practice in the Southern Highlands, NSW
The Southern Highlands of NSW may not make national headlines, but it’s a region worth watching for accountants looking to buy, sell, or expand a practice. Nestled between Sydney and Canberra, this semi-rural region has developed a strong, stable economy with a growing population of professionals, retirees, and small business owners. With a high quality of life, strong local loyalty, and consistent demand for accounting services, the Southern Highlands offers more opportunity than many realise.
Whether you’re thinking about buying an accounting practice in Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale or surrounds, or you’re already running one and wondering how to grow, succession plan, or exit—this region punches above its weight. At Rob Knights Practice Broking, we’ve helped firms navigate all these pathways, and in 2025 we continue to see strong interest in the Southern Highlands.
Why Consider the Southern Highlands for Your Practice?
The Southern Highlands may fly under the radar, but when it comes to buying or selling an accounting practice, this region has a lot going for it. Here’s why firms continue to attract attention from both buyers and sellers:
Loyal Clients, Long Tenure
Many clients in the Highlands are locals—business owners, trades, retirees, and professionals—who value longstanding relationships and face-to-face advice. This loyalty translates to consistent revenue and reduced churn, both of which underpin strong valuations.
Influx of Professionals and Tree-Changers
The population is shifting. Remote workers, professionals, and young families leaving Sydney are settling in the region, diversifying the client mix and creating new service opportunities—particularly in advisory, structuring, and consulting.
Less Direct Competition
Unlike metro markets flooded with mid-tier and national players, the Highlands has fewer large firms. That means local practices with good systems and reputation often enjoy a larger share of the pie—and more protection from price-based competition.
Lifestyle and Location
The lifestyle continues to be a major drawcard—excellent schools, restaurants, space to breathe, and proximity to both Sydney and Canberra (without the traffic or cost). For buyers considering relocation, it’s an attractive place to work and live.
Suitable for Any Size
Whether you’re looking to acquire a sole practitioner or a larger multi-partner practice, the Highlands offers scale flexibility. It also presents real opportunity for Sydney-based firms wanting to expand regionally or diversify their footprint.
What Buyers Should Keep in Mind
Location Still Matters
While the region is compact, firms often service outlying towns and rural clients. Some still do farm visits, others operate fully remotely. Know how far your team is willing to travel—or whether your clients expect face time.
Staffing Isn’t Always Simple
Recruiting and retaining staff can be tough, especially with limited local talent pools. But firms with strong culture and flexible models often keep people long term. Graduates from Wollongong or Canberra are also worth tapping into, and remote setups are increasingly viable.
Systems & Tech Count
Legacy platforms or manual processes can hold firms back. Buyers are increasingly looking for clean digital systems—especially where seamless handovers, remote work, or scaling are part of the plan. Modern tech can make or break a deal.
Valuations Reflect Quality
You won’t see the sheer volume of listings that come through Sydney, but good Highlands firms don’t stay on the market long. Solid books, reliable recurring revenue, and tight systems usually command strong multiples—especially where there’s tax or compliance focus.
Advisory Demand Is Rising
Many practices are still underleveraged in areas like SMSFs, structuring, coaching, and wealth services. For buyers who can bring broader service offerings, there’s real room to grow—without needing to chase new clients.
What Sellers Should Keep in Mind
Timing Is Everything
Whether you’re ready to exit now or planning for 3–5 years down the track, it’s never too early to start preparing. The earlier you get clarity around your goals, numbers, and client handover, the stronger your outcome.
Clean Books & Good Systems Help
Well-kept financials, strong processes, and loyal clients all increase a firm’s attractiveness. Buyers are more likely to pay a premium if they can see a clear path to step in without disruption.
Partial Sales Are on the Rise
Not ready to step away completely? Many owners are choosing to sell part of their equity while staying on in a reduced role. It’s a flexible option that gives you time, mentorship opportunities, and a smoother transition.
Succession Planning Adds Value
Having a plan for who does what, and when, during the transition can help reduce risk and make your practice more appealing. It’s not just about who buys your firm—it’s how you hand it over.
Your Reasons Shape the Strategy
Every seller is different. Maybe you want to retire, reduce stress, or free up capital for something new. That’s why our broking approach starts with your why—then tailors a process around it.
Already Own a Practice in the Highlands? Here's What We Hear
Many practitioners come to us at a crossroads:
“We’re not sure how to stand out from other local firms.”
“I want to retire in 3–5 years, but I don’t know how to structure a succession plan.”
“The firm is going well, but we’re coasting. What next?”
Whether you’re looking to scale, sell, partner, or just plan ahead, the earlier you get clarity, the better your outcomes. Often, it’s not just about the financials—it’s about lifestyle, legacy, and reducing personal risk.
That’s where a strategic session (the kind we run) helps. We map out your goals, numbers, and timing, then work out whether sale, merger, or smart expansion is the best path forward.
Trends We're Watching in the Southern Highlands in 2025
More Buyers from Sydney
Practitioners seeking a lifestyle change or semi-retirement are increasingly looking to the Highlands. With its blend of space, community, and proximity to Sydney, it’s emerging as the sweet spot for those wanting both opportunity and balance.
Fewer Practices, More Competition
Supply is tight—and that’s driving demand. Well-run firms with loyal clients and strong systems are attracting multiple interested parties, often within weeks of going to market.
Rise in Partial Sales & Mergers
Not every seller is ready to fully exit. We’re seeing more deals involving staged handovers, shared equity, and part-time continuation—ideal for buyers seeking mentorship or a gradual transition.
Stable Fees, Lower Client Churn
Client tenure in the Highlands tends to outlast metro averages. That consistency boosts planning confidence for buyers and helps support strong valuations.
Client Needs Are Evolving
With more professionals and business owners relocating, the region’s demand is shifting—from basic compliance to broader services like advisory, structuring, and tech-enabled solutions.
Useful Products for Your Practice
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Typical Fees for Common Services Report
Price range: $198 through $396 incl. GST This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
DIY Practice Listing
$330 incl. GST -
Sell or Buy a Practice Without a Broker – Complete Toolkit
$995 incl. GST
Thinking About Buying or Selling?
Whether you’re considering your first acquisition or planning an exit after decades in practice, we bring decades of insight, data, and deal-making experience to the table.
At Rob Knights Practice Broking, we help:
Buyers understand market value, assess firm suitability, and navigate everything from initial inquiry to settlement.
Sellers prepare their firm for market, present it to the right buyers, and achieve the best possible terms—financially and personally.
We don’t just list and wait. We provide strategic guidance, succession planning advice, and buyer introductions grounded in trust, experience, and a deep understanding of what makes a practice work.
With every client, our goal is the same: a well-structured deal that delivers clarity, continuity, and value on both sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiples in the Southern Highlands can be surprisingly competitive—especially for practices with strong recurring revenue, stable teams, and up-to-date systems. Clean books and cloud-based platforms often command pricing on par with metro regions like Sydney. While volume of buyers may be smaller, demand is real—and well-prepared practices can achieve excellent outcomes.
It can be challenging, but not impossible. Firms that offer remote work flexibility, strong internal culture, and mentoring opportunities tend to attract and retain great people. Many also tap into talent from nearby hubs like Canberra or Wollongong. We’re seeing hybrid setups becoming the norm, especially as lifestyle becomes a bigger driver in career decisions.
Yes—when they’re well-prepared. There’s less supply in the region, so quality firms with good systems and loyal clients often attract interest fast. However, timing still depends on key factors like pricing, vendor flexibility, staffing, and buyer fit. We’ve seen some practices move quickly and others take longer due to unrealistic expectations.
Buyers today are looking for more than just revenue. They want reliable recurring income, a modern tech stack, a capable team, and opportunities to scale. Firms that are too reliant on one principal, outdated software, or paper-heavy processes can struggle to generate interest—even if their financials are strong.
Absolutely. We’re seeing a rise in partial sales, mergers, and staged exits. This can be a smart way to reduce personal and financial risk while mentoring the next generation. It also allows for a smoother transition—especially if you’re not ready to exit fully, but want to start stepping back.
A growing one. Practices that embrace remote-friendly operations are more attractive to both buyers and staff. Buyers from outside the region may retain partial remote setups, while locals appreciate the flexibility too. This also expands the talent pool beyond traditional geographic limits.
Most are small to mid-sized—think 1–3 equity partners or sole practitioners with support staff. That said, there’s plenty of variation. Some are lean and lifestyle-focused, while others are growing rapidly and looking to scale through acquisition or partnership.
There’s competition, but it’s far less intense than in metro areas. The emphasis is often on reputation, relationships, and continuity. New players with strong value propositions can make a real impact—especially if they bring modern systems or service offerings that stand out.
Tax and compliance remain the bread and butter. But increasingly, clients are looking for help with business advisory, SMSFs, structuring, and digital tools. As the population shifts and new businesses move in, there’s real scope to broaden your offering—and boost valuations in the process.
Waiting too long, underestimating the prep work, or relying on outdated systems are the big ones. Many principals also overestimate their firm’s value without proper benchmarking. The smartest sellers start planning 12–24 months ahead so they can tidy up the books, build systems that can scale, and present a more attractive, low-risk proposition to buyers.
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