How to Find Your First 10 Clients as a New CPA Firm Owner

Starting your own CPA firm is exciting, but let’s be honest—finding those first few clients can feel overwhelming. You’ve got the skills, the credentials, and the drive, but how do you actually convince people to trust you with their accounting needs?

The good news? You don’t need a huge marketing budget or a fancy website to get started. With the right approach, you can land your first 10 clients quickly and build momentum for long-term success.

Here’s exactly how to get your first CPA clients and start growing your firm.

#1 Leverage Your Existing Network

Your first clients are likely closer than you think. Before spending money on marketing, start with the relationships you’ve already built.

✅ Reach out to former colleagues, employers, and industry contacts

✅ Let friends and family know about your new firm (you never know who needs a CPA!)

✅ Connect with old classmates or professors who might refer clients

When I started my firm, I emailed my professional network, simply sharing what I was doing and who I could help. That alone led to my first couple of clients—because people already knew, liked, and trusted me.

💡 Pro Tip: Make a list of 50 people in your network and personally reach out to them. The more people who know what you do, the more referrals you’ll get.

#2 Identify a Niche for Your CPA Firm

It’s tempting to say you’ll work with anyone who needs accounting help—but that actually makes it harder to stand out. Instead, choose a niche that allows you to become the go-to expert.

✅ Specializing in one industry (e.g., real estate, nonprofits, school districts)

✅ Focusing on specific services (e.g., tax planning, audits, fractional CFO services)

✅ Targeting a specific business size (e.g., small businesses, startups, solo entrepreneurs)

Niching down makes it easier to find the right clients because your marketing and messaging become crystal clear. Instead of saying, “I’m a CPA,” you can say, “I help real estate investors reduce their tax burden and maximize deductions.”

Which one sounds more compelling?

#3 Get Active in Local Business Groups & Associations

Joining local business organizations is a fast way to connect with potential clients. Small business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs all need accounting help—and many prefer to work with someone they’ve met personally.

📍 Join your local Chamber of Commerce

📍 Attend networking events for small business owners

📍 Join professional associations related to your niche

💡 Pro Tip: Focus on building relationships, not just pitching your services. People want to work with someone they trust.

#4 Offer Free Value to Attract Your First CPA Clients

One of the fastest ways to get clients is to demonstrate your expertise—without asking for anything in return.

Try offering:

✅ A free webinar on tax-saving strategies for small businesses

✅ A downloadable checklist for business owners to prepare for tax season

✅ A short consultation call to answer common accounting questions

The goal? To get people familiar with you, so when they need help, you’re the first CPA they think of.

💡 Pro Tip: If you do a free Q&A session, record it and share clips on LinkedIn or Facebook. This builds credibility and attracts even more clients.

#5 Ask for Referrals (Even if You're Just Starting Out)

Referrals are the lifeblood of a CPA firm. The best part? You don’t have to wait years to start getting them—you just have to ask.

Even if you only have one or two clients, ask them:

🗣️ “Do you know anyone else who could benefit from my services?”

🗣️ “I have room for a few more clients—do you have any referrals?”

People want to refer good CPAs. Make it easy for them by letting them know you’re open to more clients.

💡 Pro Tip: Offer a small incentive, like a discount on future services for every successful referral.

#6 Build a Simple, Professional Online Presence

You don’t need an expensive website to start landing clients, but you do need an online presence that builds trust.

✅ Create a simple one-page website listing your services and contact info

✅ Optimize your LinkedIn profile to highlight your CPA experience

✅ Claim your Google Business Profile so people can find you in searches

I’ve seen CPAs land clients just from a strong LinkedIn presence. Don’t overcomplicate it—just make sure potential clients can find and contact you easily.

💡 Pro Tip: Ask happy clients to leave Google reviews. It boosts your credibility fast.

#7 Partner with Other Professionals

Business owners often turn to attorneys, financial advisors, and business consultants for advice before they seek out a CPA. Partnering with these professionals can send clients your way consistently.

✅ Connect with business attorneys who need accountants for their clients

✅ Build relationships with financial advisors for tax planning referrals

✅ Partner with bookkeepers who don’t offer CPA-level services

💡 Pro Tip: Offer to co-host a webinar with a financial planner or attorney. You’ll both get exposure and potential new clients.

#8 Be Patient and Stay Consistent

Finding your first clients takes effort, but once you land those first 10, referrals and word-of-mouth will keep your business growing.

Here’s what worked for me:

✅ Telling everyone I knew what I was doing

✅ Niching down to a specific target audience

✅ Providing value first, without a hard sell

✅ Asking for referrals (even from my first clients)

It’s not about luck—it’s about showing up consistently and building trust.

So, if you’re launching your CPA firm and wondering where to find clients, start here. Your first 10 clients are closer than you think.