The 2026 IPA Practice Management Report captures a profession facing slower growth but responding with sharper operations.

Drawing on responses from 605 North American accounting firms, Chelsea Summers and Rob Brown open Running the Modern Firm, the third series of the season, with a look at the profession’s performance and the strategies shaping it.

They discuss why organic and total growth slowed while net income growth accelerated, where revenue is still expanding, how pricing models are shifting, why M&A remains concentrated among large firms and what the latest partner data says about succession.

IPA will also host a live Q&A on Sept. 24. Chelsea and Rob will answer questions about the 2026 data and the leadership issues explored throughout the series. Set a reminder by clicking "Notify me," then leave your question in the comments.

Purchase the 2026 IPA Practice Management Report here.

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