Run a Profitable Firm Without Rebuilding from Scratch

‍Focus on What You Do Best

When I looked across the accounting industry, from firms we’ve acquired to the hundreds we’ve evaluated — I saw a pattern. Owners were spending their time on work they shouldn’t be doing: billing, collections, low-level transaction work. Meanwhile, their clients were stuck in survival mode, getting help to keep the lights on instead of advice to grow.

That’s why we built Decimal’s model so franchise owners only have two jobs: bring in new clients and keep them happy. Everything else,  the bookkeeping queues, bill pay, payroll, tech stack, even AI integrations, is handled inside our operating system.

The focus here is intentional: let firm owners focus on relationships and growth, not administrative grind.

Culture and Mindset Matter

Not everyone is a fit for the franchise model. The owners we’re looking for share a few key traits: they’re willing to sell, willing to change, and want to be part of a community.

If you’re starting a firm just to have a job and do the work yourself, we’re not the right fit. But if you want to be an entrepreneur, build a team, and use proven systems to scale, that’s who thrives here.

The culture we’re building is collaborative. We want owners who share what’s working, learn from peers, and fail forward together. That mindset will matter just as much as the tech and processes we provide.

Change Requires Structure and Support

I’ve spent years giving away Decimal’s playbook to firm owners for free. And while I’ll always help anyone who asks, I realized that knowing what to do isn’t enough, change is hard, especially when you’re already overwhelmed.

That’s why franchising isn’t just about handing over an operating system; it’s about providing the ongoing support to implement it. From hiring in the Philippines to managing AR and collections to training staff for advisory work, our team takes the hard stuff off your plate so you can focus on building your firm.

AI, Globalization, and the Shift to Advisory

We’re at an inflection point in accounting. AI is moving too fast for firms to implement alone. Private equity is reshaping the landscape. The global workforce has never been more accessible.

In our model, AI and global teams handle most of the doing, which means owners and managers can step into the role clients really need: trusted advisors. This isn’t just a technology shift; it’s a fundamental change in what accounting firms deliver and how they create value.

Key Takeaways for Firm Owners

• Focus on growth and client relationships, delegate everything else to proven systems.
• Hire and collaborate with people who share your vision and want to build something bigger.
• Don’t just adopt tools, implement them with the right support and structure.
• Use AI and global talent to create space for high-value advisory work.
• Join a community that scales together instead of struggling alone.

The Bottom Line

Franchising at Decimal isn’t about creating clones of our firm, it’s about equipping owners with the systems, support, and community they need to succeed in a changing industry. If you’re ready to stop surviving and start building a business that scales, now is the perfect time to make that leap.

Want to hear the full conversation? Listen to the episode on After the First Million, or connect with us at https://www.decimal.com/contact-us.