CPA firms experience continued growth, according to biannual survey.

A large majority of CPA firms reported continued strong growth during the past two years, according to the 2008 National Management of Accounting Practice survey by the AICPA and the Texas Society of CPAs.

"While the survey was taken before the current financial crisis began and marketplace conditions facing CPAs are changing, CPA firms continue to do well," said James C. Metzler, CPA, AICPA vice president--small firm interests. "Clients go to CPAs to help them weather a troubled economy, and banks may seek greater assurance from practitioners about the companies with which they do business."

Seventy five percent of the CPA firms surveyed reported growth up to 19% during the two years from May 2006 through June 2008. Average net client fees per partner rose 10%, to $664,847. Among the areas covered in the survey are billing rates, expenses, revenue, realization, service offerings, staffing, marketing and benefits.

As the data is delineated by...