What About the Micro Firm?

I have long believed the AICPA was too involved with big firms, and not concerned enough with the one-, two- or three-partner firm.

When I read the article, “ Nothing Succeeds Like Succession ” ( JofA , Jul.05, page 63), I noted the chart indicated a five-partner, three-manager firm with who knows how many staff. This was a good article for that size firm, but my question is, What should the two-partner, three-staff person do? I don’t know how many of us are in small firms vs. bigger, but in my town the average is probably two partners, three staff. If you want the small practitioner to get his money’s worth from membership, you need to address our part of the marketplace. How about a succession-planning article for the micro firm?

Ken Gardner, CPA
Boulder, Colo.

Editor’s note: Here are a few features the JofA has published on this topic that are of interest to smaller firms: “ Price Equals Value Plus Terms ” (Dec.04, page 67); “ Who Will Take the Reins? ” (Aug.04, page 45); “ Have a Fallback Plan ” (Sep.03, page 57); “ The Single-Participant 401(k) ” (Mar.03, page 49).