Staying True to Our Roots: Why MGA Prioritizes Relationships Over Mergers

Staying True to Our Roots - Why MGA Prioritizes Relationships Over Mergers
   

4 min read

The accounting industry is undergoing a seismic shift. Firms are merging, private equity is stepping in, and the personal touch clients once cherished is becoming a thing of the past. As firms grow larger and decision-making becomes centralized, clients are left navigating declining service quality and a revolving door of unfamiliar faces.

At MGA, we’ve chosen a different path. Our commitment to independence, consistency, and deeply rooted client relationships sets us apart in an industry chasing consolidation.

The Reality and Impact of Mergers and Private Equity

In recent years, many accounting firms have merged or been acquired by private equity-backed entities. While these moves promise growth and expanded services, the reality for clients often paints a different picture:

  • Loss of Personal Connection: Clients accustomed to working with a trusted partner suddenly find themselves assigned to new contacts every year, with no chance to build lasting relationships.
  • Service Decline: Decisions about service offerings and client priorities are no longer made locally but by national or regional boards disconnected from individual client needs.
  • Higher Fees Without Greater Value: With the added pressure of meeting investor expectations, fees often rise, but the level of service fails to keep pace.

For clients who value consistency, trust, and tailored advice, these shifts are causing frustration — and prompting them to seek firms like MGA.

Why MGA Stands Apart — Names and Faces You Know and Trust

At MGA, we’re not following the crowd. We’re fiercely committed to remaining independent and continuing to serve entrepreneurial clients with the same dedication we’ve upheld for decades. Here’s what makes us different:

  1. Long-Term Relationships: Many of our client relationships span decades, built on mutual trust and a deep understanding of their businesses and personal lives. Unlike firms driven by mergers, we prioritize maintaining that connection, ensuring you always know who you’re working with.
  2. Low Turnover, High Commitment: Our management team and staff have been with us for years, many even decades, which means stability and familiarity for our clients. We don’t shuffle team members constantly or make clients feel like just another account on the roster.
  3. A Client-First Approach: Decisions at MGA are made locally by a leadership team that understands and values our clients' specific needs. We do not answer to investors or national boards — we answer to YOU.
  4. Investing in People and Technology: We prioritize not just the retention and development of our team but also investments in cutting-edge technology that enhance client service. With exciting new tools and technology, our team can focus on what matters most: building strategies and delivering solutions for our clients.

Take our team member Ricky, for example. At MGA, we’ve seen stories like his time and time again. After a small firm was acquired by a larger one, Ricky felt the personal connection disappear. He found his way to MGA, where he rediscovered the value of relationships, autonomy, and a workplace that truly values its people. Read Ricky’s full story here to see how MGA continues to stand apart.

Why This Matters to YOU

The entrepreneurial spirit is at the core of MGA and the clients we serve. By remaining independent, we’re free to work with the businesses and individuals that inspire us. We’re not constrained by corporate mandates or forced to conform to a one-size-fits-all service model. This independence allows us to:

  • Spend time learning about your business on a deeper level.
  • Provide customized advice and strategies tailored to your unique challenges.
  • Be proactive partners, not just reactive service providers.

And while we remain fiercely independent, we’ve always embraced technology as a way to enhance the client experience. At MGA, adopting advanced tools and staying ahead of industry trends has been part of our DNA. The rise of AI and emerging technologies has made it possible for firms of all sizes to access powerful solutions, and we’ve used these innovations to improve the value we deliver to our clients.

Our commitment to staying independent is a commitment to YOU. We believe that personal connection, consistency, and trust are the keys to building lasting partnerships — and that’s not something we’re willing to sacrifice.

Standing Strong for What Matters Most

In an industry chasing consolidation and growth at all costs, MGA chooses a different path — one rooted in relationships, trust, and unwavering independence. For over 30 years, we’ve been more than just accountants; we’ve been partners in your success, advocates for your vision, and a constant in a world of change.

As others focus on scaling up, we remain focused on what truly matters: knowing your name, understanding your goals, and delivering the personalized service you deserve. Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking a partner who truly understands your business or a long-time client who values our approach, know that MGA remains committed to serving you, just as we always have.

 


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January 21, 2025