Ways Financial Services Firms and CPA Firms Can Partner

Strategic Partnerships in a Changing Landscape

In today’s dynamic business environment, a CPA and financial services partnership is no longer optional—it’s essential for firms seeking relevance and growth. These collaborations offer scalable models that not only expand service offerings, but also deepen client relationships and drive long-term growth. Below, we explore several partnership structures and cross-selling strategies that firms can leverage.

CPA and Financial Services Partnership Models to Explore

Referral or Affiliate Relationships

Forge alliances through structured referral or affiliate programs. By recommending each other’s services to clients, both firms can expand their reach while staying focused on their respective core competencies.

Acquisition or Merger

M&A between CPA firms and financial services providers can unlock operational efficiencies, shared infrastructure, and instant access to new markets. Whether it’s to scale faster or consolidate fragmented segments, these partnerships can accelerate impact.

Co-Founding a Third-Party Entity

Establishing a jointly owned, compliance-aligned third-party entity allows both firms to participate in revenue growth while managing risk. This model encourages co-investment and builds long-term alignment.

Cross-Selling Opportunities That Add Real Value

Partnering Around CAS and CFO Services

CPA firms with robust CAS or outsourced CFO offerings can bundle executive compensation, retirement plans, insurance solutions, lending, and HR support—especially for entity-dense client bases. This integrated model creates a single point of value for clients.

💡 Learn more about CAS and its growing role in accounting firm strategy.

Collaborating on Tax Advisory and Compliance

Partnering with financial services firms serving individuals creates room to jointly offer wealth management, insurance planning (term and whole life), estate structuring, and trust strategies. The outcome: holistic financial care with higher retention and higher-value outcomes.

How White Tiger Connections Can Help

At White Tiger Connections, we specialize in facilitating strategic partnerships between CPA and financial services firms. Whether you’re exploring referrals, mergers, or third-party entities, our team will help you identify and negotiate aligned opportunities that boost revenue—and, more importantly, client value.