Becoming a Dark Horse CPA

There’s a reason we chose the name Dark Horse. It represents the underestimated, the overlooked, the one who wins not because they were handed the perfect setup, but because they outworked, outthought, and outlasted. That’s what this firm is built on. And that’s who we built it for.

Let me tell you how we got here and why it might be the right move for where you're heading.

The Status Quo: A Flawed Model with Fewer Rewards

Accounting firms, for the most part, are stuck. Stuck in outdated business models. Stuck rewarding tenure over talent. And stuck forcing smart, motivated CPAs to choose between burnout or betting it all to go out on their own.

The traditional partnership path is, at best, a slow grind with unclear upside. You put in years of work only to find yourself fighting for influence in a leadership group that isn’t aligned, or worse, in a PE-owned firm where decision-making and equity are no longer in your hands.

And if you’ve gone solo, you know how heavy that freedom can feel. You’re the marketer, the IT department, the HR lead, and the head of operations, and you still have to deliver exceptional work to clients. Many CPAs end up trapped working in the business, with no time left to work on it.

These aren't failures of effort. They’re failures of structure.

So We Built Something Different

At Dark Horse, we created a platform firm that lets experienced CPAs build the practice they want, with the support they need, without the bureaucracy or burnout.

We call it Firm-as-a-Service. Yes, we are boiling the ocean because there are so many things you need from seed to scale to exit of a practice. And we will not rest in our pursuit to provide our accountants with the most impactful resources so that they can drive the outsized impact with their clients and team members.

This model is built around the CPA, not the firm. You own your business book. You grow your team. You define your client experience. And you do it all with the backing of a proven infrastructure, a collaborative community, and a steady stream of qualified leads: no awkward networking events required.

We call this role a Principal. It’s not a title, it’s ownership, equity, and autonomy with accountability.

And for those not quite ready to jump in at full speed, we created the Principal Accelerator Program. It’s the bridge between where you are now and the practice you’ve always wanted to build.

The Accelerator Program: Start Strong, Scale Smart

The Accelerator is a structured on-ramp designed for experienced CPAs who want to build something better. Whether you’re coming from a national firm or running your own solo shop, the goal is the same: build a high-quality, recurring book of business that supports your lifestyle, your values, and your income goals.

Here’s what that journey looks like:

• Two weeks of onboarding to learn our tools, systems, and sales process
• Immediate access to qualified inbound leads (no prospecting required)
• Coaching from our leadership team to help you refine your pricing and close the right clients
• A base salary to provide stability while you build
• A clear path to equity and Principal status once you reach $250K in recurring revenue

Most Accelerators hit that milestone in 6 to 9 months. Some start from zero. Some bring a small book. Either way, the system is designed to scale with you, not around you.

What We Offer (And Why It Matters)

When you become a Principal, you plug into a model that removes friction and unlocks real growth. That includes:

• A clear and generous profit split (up to 66 percent depending on performance. On average, our Principals take home 45 –55 cents on the dollar of revenue, on average, compared to 15-30% that partners at traditional accounting firms make.
• Access to a robust sales funnel that produces qualified prospects booking initial consultations. From there, we train you on how to have the call and how to ensure you get the right pricing and scope in the process.
• Offshore staffing without outsourcing, via our own Philippines corporation which is covered by our SOC-2 audit.
• Hands-off compliance support (bookkeeping, payroll, benefits, tax prep, all covered)
• A SOC 2-compliant environment, with best-in-class cybersecurity infrastructure
• A talent-facing brand that helps you recruit top-tier team members
• Stock option grants, tied to your contributions and firm profitability
• Revenue share from Dark Horse Private Wealth, our internal RIA, in perpetuity based on advisory fees earned

Plus, a few more advantages most firms don’t even think to offer:

• 401(k) match and healthcare contributions: We match 100% of the first 3% and 50% of the next 2% of compensation in our Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan, plus up to $500/month toward health insurance for both you and your team.
• Financing to grow your team: Need to hire before your revenue catches up? We offer draw support against future earnings, so you’re not stuck choosing between scaling or staying safe.
• Internal referral incentives: Receive 10,000–20,000 share grants for referring other Principals or Accelerators to the firm.
• Earn equity, even for your team: You can allocate a portion of your stock options to team members to keep them invested and engaged long-term.

You also get to shape how the platform evolves. We’re constantly improving based on feedback from the Principals building on it. That’s not just collaboration, it’s co-creation.

From Possibility to Proof

The results speak for themselves. CPAs like Teddy Mizerak, who left the grind of a regional firm and built a $ 1M+ practice in under three years. Or Suzi Drennen, who cut her client load in half, doubled her revenue, and reclaimed the personal freedom she hadn’t seen in decades. These aren’t outliers. They’re examples of what happens when capable professionals are given the right foundation.

Final Thought

Dark Horse isn’t a firm for everyone. But if you’ve outgrown the limits of traditional firms or the limitations of building something entirely on your own, it might be time to bet on a new model. One built for CPAs who want more than just survival. One designed for ownership, not overhead.

That’s why we exist. And if that sounds like the right fit, we should talk.

About Dark Horse CPAs

Dark Horse CPAs provides an integrated suite of services including tax, accounting, fractional CFO, and wealth management to small businesses and individuals across the U.S. The firm was established to transform the client experience by offering personalized, high-quality services that small businesses and individuals deserve. As Dark Horses in their industries, these businesses benefit from advanced tax strategies and accounting insights typically reserved for larger companies. With a nationwide presence and a team of dedicated professionals, Dark Horse CPAs is committed to your success. Get a quote today.