Solo Accountant or a Partnership: Which is Best?

By Charles Hall | Accounting and Auditing

Mar 07

Solo accountant or partnership. Which is best? Today we tackle this question.

We all live with fear, but accountants have their own variety. I think back on my college years and the wondering about how my life and career would unfold. And I wanted—really wanted—to see the future, but could not. 

At twenty-one, I would have given a prince’s sum for a crystal ball. But even if the seer’s tool existed, I had no money. So I ventured out, hands extended in darkness, hoping things would go well. And why did I desire to know the future? To avoid mistakes. To lessen my fear. But mistakes—not crystal balls—are how you learn.

Through the years, my career evolved blandly, though with a few jerks and screams (I had a brain tumor; shortly after that, my son has born with cystic fibrosis). But, overall, my work life has unfolded—like most—day by day.

My First Job

In the early days of my first job, I realized how little I knew, though I had a masters degree in accounting. Like a new golfer, I felt—and looked—awkward. My college professors trained me well, but I was still a duffer. I muddled my way through the first year, little realizing how much I was learning—and not understanding my firm was doing me a favor. They were paying me to learn. (You only get this perspective—later—when you are an employer.)

Solo Accountant or Partnership
One year into public accounting, the lights came on.
I finally hit shots like a real accountant. I finally felt normal. I finally moved more naturally. But after three years in my junior role, another firm came calling, asking me to move. They offered more money and more opportunity, so I ventured out.

My Second Job

My second job was more of an apprenticeship. My boss mentored and trained me. He allowed me to assume responsibility. I think you could say this is where I came into my own. But even though I liked my boss, we had disagreements. He promised one thing but delivered another. I found myself doing most of the work with no movement to the promised position. My boss was a good man, but at age 68, it was obvious, he had no desire to retire (though that was the agreement).

So, I left with no job. (I know. Not smart, huh?) This was quite scary, especially when you have two children and a wife at home—in other words, no other income. What did I do? I hung my shingle. 

Solo Accountant

In those years, I had my greatest joys and fears. To go from nothing to something was like climbing a mountain. And I am not the adventuresome type. In the early days, there was no cash flow—and I mean none. I recall, like a scene from a Charles Dickens’ story, nights of soup and bread. And much of the time, I had this deep sense of fear. Nevertheless, I survived and—at times—even thrived.  

The joy of owning my own firm came in the freedom to come and go as I pleased, to do what I wanted—and when I wanted. But freedom comes with baggage. Namely, overhead, unsteady cash flows, and legal exposure. Even so, the freedom to make my own decisions was a breath of fresh air. If I wanted to pursue a new strategy, I did so. If I wanted to leave work early, I left. If I wanted to buy a new computer, I bought it. No committees. No boss. No one was telling me what I could or could not do. It was nice.

But in working alone, I learned a few things about myself. I love freedom, but I hate fear. I also found that I am more productive in a group environment. Why? Accountability. Additionally, I discovered I need more wisdom than I (alone) possess. As much as I hate to admit it (call it pride), I need a group of people. 

Partnership

So, for most of my career, partnerships have been my work environment of choice. I like steady paychecks. I enjoy having answers to my questions just down the hallway.

The wisdom of partnerships is a beautiful thing. The Bible provides this word: 

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with any advisors, they succeed. Proverbs 15:22

I can’t count the times I have seen problems surface—seemingly—with no answer, but then, in a partnership meeting, ideas, disagreements, thoughts are tossed around. And in the end, there is an answer. Creative, wise, sound.

Multiple perspectives meld together to provide insight, a wisdom much greater than my own. But submission is necessary to be a part of a partnership. And I think that’s hard for most people, including me. And while I desire to do as I please, the power of the group is real. People working together often achieve what individuals cannot.   

Solo Accountant or Partnership – Which Do You Prefer?

So, which is best? Solo Accountant or partnership?

In the end, the decision to work alone or in a group is a personal decision based on our own bents. Some people work better by themselves and want freedom more than anything. I get that. Others find success in a partnership. So which are you? One who likes to work alone or one who loves a group? What makes you the way you are?

For additional insights, check out my post: What I Wish I had Known About Public Accounting.

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About the Author

Charles Hall is a practicing CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner. For the last thirty-five years, he has primarily audited governments, nonprofits, and small businesses. He is the author of The Little Book of Local Government Fraud Prevention, The Why and How of Auditing, Audit Risk Assessment Made Easy, and Preparation of Financial Statements & Compilation Engagements. He frequently speaks at continuing education events. Charles consults with other CPA firms, assisting them with auditing and accounting issues.

  • Charles Hall says:

    Brian, smart move with the SEO work. I think most CPAs have not realized how important that is. Glad to hear that your firm is going well!

  • I have tried the group environment and found that I tend to be better at the top of the food chain. Started my own CPA firm over 6 years ago after being in groups the first 30 years. I like having the control of creating a firm the way I want it. I also found if you do a good job and have enough people recognize your ability they will beat a path to your door. It took me five years to really find what works to successfully market my practice (good local SEO on my website so on top or near the top of my search categories plus great google and yelp reviews) but now I am reaping the results.

  • Charles Hall says:

    Jim, as always, you have great comments. I wish I could do both! Quality of life is a big factor in the decision.

  • Jim Bennett says:

    Good question. I am a the sole partner in a four person firm. There are definitely plusses and minuses. It is better than being part of a group where the partners are not on the same page, and you just don’t feel in tune with the overall direction? Yes.

    Could being part of a group where there is some synergy, and you feel like you’re making a valuable contribution to something bigger than yourself be even better than being solo? Probably! But that certainly can be hard to find.

    Also, in thinking about going solo, consider your overall ability to deal with fear and anxiety, because that is certainly part of the deal (and your significant other’s ability in this area). Remember, quality of life has many aspects.

  • Charles Hall says:

    Good points Jim. The freedom to “define your own measure of success” is a valuable thing. Thanks, as always, for your comments.

  • James Ulvog says:

    Great article.

    For me, going solo was the best career decision I’ve made, second only to getting back into public accounting after being in private sector after leaving the Big 8.

    The freedom is not so much being able to come and go as you wish (there is always more work to do). Far more valuable is ability to freely choose which proposals to consider and which clients to fire (and when). Also, the ability to define your own measure of success.

    Jim

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