What do data buyers want from accounting firms?
They're looking at how the work got done and how decisions got made, not at who your clients are. In a CPA shop, that often means engagement workpapers, review notes, sign-off trails, and the back-and-forth that moved a job from open to done. It's the process they're after, not a name and a Social.
The useful picture is usually a connected thread: the same job showing up in email, Teams or Slack chats, practice-management tickets, Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace documents, and the firm's SOPs. Buyers say they want to build AI tools that help offices work more productively. Balance Sheet Data is not a buyer and doesn't speak for any buyer.
I also have a short version of this on the home page, and a broader fit question in Can a CPA firm license its data?
What does that look like in day-to-day firm work?
Think about the messy middle of a job. Partner review comments. Who decided to file an extension, and why. How the team chased missing client documents. A resolved IRS notice, an amended return, and the notes on what actually fixed the problem. That's the kind of trail buyers commonly ask about.
None of that has to be pretty. A signed-off workpaper, a short review note, or a ticket that shows how a deadline got handled can say more than a polished memo. The point is the real path the work took, including the parts that didn't go smoothly the first time.
Why do records of what actually fixed a problem matter?
A file that only shows the snag is half the story. The records that show which response cleared the IRS notice, or which workaround got a return filed on time, are especially useful. That's how you tell a guess from a method that already worked in a real office.
Buyers want to build AI tools that help offices work more productively, and those 'what actually fixed it' records are some of the clearest examples. That still isn't a valuation or a guarantee for any firm, and many firms may not qualify.
Do client names and tax details stay in the files?
Buyers typically scrub client names, Social Security numbers, and amounts before records are used. That still doesn't, by itself, settle professional or tax-return rules. Client information should be included only with each client's specific written consent, and tax return information never without consent that meets IRS Section 7216.
The AICPA has also cautioned that removing names doesn't make confidential client information non-confidential. Please confirm all of this with your own counsel or ethics advisor before sharing anything. We don't give legal or tax advice.
For a starting point with sources, see AICPA confidentiality and data licensing and IRC 7216 and data licensing.
Who may qualify?
Program partners commonly look for an established firm that owns its records and has the authority to license a copy of them. For CPA and accounting firms, about 15 or more full-time desk staff may qualify. Smaller firms are welcome to ask. Requirements vary by program, and many firms may not qualify.
They also look for work done on ordinary digital tools, such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Teams, Slack, and practice-management or CRM software. Program partners, including Mode, tend to value US-based firms the highest, though firms in other countries may also be accepted. English-language records are preferred, and finance and accounting is among the sectors they call high-demand.
This site is written for US CPA and accounting firms. Every firm still goes through the buyer's own review, and nothing is promised. The criteria on the home page and the fit checklist spell out the usual checks.
How does a firm take a next step?
You don't have to talk with me first. The firm can apply directly with a buyer, or book a free 15-minute call if you have questions. It's not a sales call, and there's nothing to buy. No files are needed for the call, and we never ask for passwords.
Start on the apply page, or book a call if you'd rather ask first. If you know a firm that may be a fit, there's also a page for referral partners.
FAQ
What do data buyers want from accounting firms?
They're looking at how the work got done and how decisions got made, not at who your clients are. In a CPA shop, that often means engagement workpapers, review notes, sign-off trails, and the back-and-forth that moved a job from open to done. It's the process they're after, not a name and a Social.
What does that look like in day-to-day firm work?
Think about the messy middle of a job. Partner review comments. Who decided to file an extension, and why. How the team chased missing client documents. A resolved IRS notice, an amended return, and the notes on what actually fixed the problem. That's the kind of trail buyers commonly ask about.
Why do records of what actually fixed a problem matter?
A file that only shows the snag is half the story. The records that show which response cleared the IRS notice, or which workaround got a return filed on time, are especially useful. That's how you tell a guess from a method that already worked in a real office.
Do client names and tax details stay in the files?
Buyers typically scrub client names, Social Security numbers, and amounts before records are used. That still doesn't, by itself, settle professional or tax-return rules. Client information should be included only with each client's specific written consent, and tax return information never without consent that meets IRS Section 7216.
Who may qualify?
Program partners commonly look for an established firm that owns its records and has the authority to license a copy of them. For CPA and accounting firms, about 15 or more full-time desk staff may qualify. Smaller firms are welcome to ask. Requirements vary by program, and many firms may not qualify.
How does a firm take a next step?
You don't have to talk with me first. The firm can apply directly with a buyer, or book a free 15-minute call if you have questions. It's not a sales call, and there's nothing to buy. No files are needed for the call, and we never ask for passwords.