Growing a Firm Without Private Equity Investment

In this session, Nathen will share Whitley Penn’s journey of considering private equity funding, providing an in-depth look at the considerations and evaluations that ultimately led the firm to step away from pursuing PE investment. He’ll discuss key factors such as maintaining control over the firm’s strategic direction, preserving partner influence and majority equity, ensuring the appeal of a partner-track career path for rising CPAs, and safeguarding the firm’s culture and core values. This session will provide valuable lessons for firms navigating their own growth and funding decisions.

What you'll learn:

• Growing with Purpose and Pace: Learn how to drive both organic and inorganic growth while staying true to your firm’s values.
• Exploring and Reconsidering PE Investment: Understand the process Whitley Penn used to evaluate PE funding and why the firm ultimately chose to move in a different direction.
• Alternative Growth Strategies: Gain perspective on how major growth firms can succeed without following the trend of PE-backed strategies, despite market pressures.