Solo Practitioner Quiz

Thinking about starting your own accounting practice – or already running one and curious how you measure up? This quick quiz will help you see if you’re truly ready to go solo or if there are areas to strengthen along the way. From your financial runway to your tech setup and client game plan, find out where you’re solid and where you could level up. It only takes a few minutes, and hey – whether you’re just starting out or already in business, a little self-check never hurts.

Ready to find out where you stand? Dive in and take the quiz now.

Personal Readiness

Why do you want to start your own practice?

I feel ready to go out on my own

I’d like control over my time, clients, and caffeine intake

I’m exploring my options and want to learn what it takes

I see a business opportunity

How many hours per week can you realistically dedicate to your business right now?

10–20 hours with some consistency

30+ hours—I'm all in

A few hours between life and emails

Let’s just say “flexible”

What’s your financial runway like?

I’ve saved up at least 6 months of expenses

I’m building my cushion now while planning ahead

I have part-time or freelance income to help

I can float things for a few months, but it's tight

Skills & Experience

Do you have your PTIN/EFIN or know how to get them?

I’ve heard of them and plan to learn more

Yes, I’ve already applied or obtained them

Not yet, but it’s on my to-do list

I’ve started the process or researched how

What services are you already confident offering?

I’ve done some research, but haven’t practiced much yet

Basic bookkeeping and tax prep

Full suite: bookkeeping, tax prep, payroll, explaining depreciation at parties

A couple of services, still gaining experience

Have you worked directly with clients before?

Yes, but only through an employer or team

Not yet, but I’m ready to start

Not directly, but I’ve handled plenty behind the scenes

Yes, I’ve managed my own clients

Market and Client Base

Do you know who your ideal client is?

I’m still figuring it out

I have a couple of ideas I’m testing

I’m open to whoever needs help

Yes, I’ve defined a clear niche

What’s your plan to get your first 3–5 clients?

I have a few approaches in mind

Multi-channel strategy, complete with templates and follow-ups

Planning to start with friends, family, and local leads

A mix of outreach, social media, and referrals

Do you have any potential leads or referrals already?

Not yet, but I’ve drafted the world’s friendliest cold email.

A few solid contacts and referrals

One or two casual connections

I have clients begging for me to go out on my own

Are you willing to market yourself?

Only slightly more comfortable than a root canal, but sure.

I’m a bit nervous, but I’ll do it

Yes—networking, calls, content let’s go!

Can I just do great work and hope for the best?

Business Operations

Do you know your state’s rules about offering services without a CPA?

I still need to look into that

I’ve looked at a few resources

I understand the basics

Yes, I’ve researched it thoroughly/am a CPA

Do you have a 12-month business plan or budget?

Yes, with clear goals and projections

I have concepts of a plan

Just a few notes and ideas

I have a working outline

What’s your tech setup like?

Google Sheets and a dream

Using basic tools for now, but upgrading soon

I’ve chosen some tools and am setting them up

Secure systems, backups, and a mild obsession with automation

Do you have the right insurance to protect yourself and your practice?

I have a vendor in mind but haven’t set it up yet

I have some coverage but need to review it

I'm still exploring my options for insurance

Yes, I have professional liability and E&O coverage in place

Practitioner Resources

Do you have all the tools and resources you need?

When you run into a tough tax question or need to confirm guidance, what’s your plan?

I have access to professional research tools and experts I can ask

I just use google

I have dedicated sources of information and colleagues I ask

I’d probably spend hours trying to figure it out alone

When you need advice, ideas, or just to connect with others in the field, what’s your go-to?

I have a couple colleagues I talk to

I mostly figure things out alone

I wish I had people to connect with about work

I’m part of an active professional community or peer group

How confident are you that you’re charging the right rates and paying support staff competitively?

Very confident! I benchmark regularly against industry data

Somewhat confident, but I could use more insight

I mostly go by what feels fair

I really have no idea what the market rates are

How do you handle creating templates, policies, and operational systems for your practice?

I make things up as I go along

I probably need to think about that

I’ve built some of my own systems over time

I have access to ready-made practice management toolkits or templates

Provide your email to access your results!(Required)

Here are the results you can get. See your full results to learn how NSA can help you no matter where you are in your journey!

You’re Ready to Launch!
You’ve got everything in place to start your solo practice confidently.

Almost There!
You’re so close – just a few tweaks and you’ll be ready to go solo.

Some Prep Needed!
You’re on the right path, but there are some key steps to take before launching.

In Exploration Mode!
You’re at the beginning of your journey – a great place to start learning and planning.