Tech Edge: Firms Using Suralink See 84% Faster Growth, Data Shows

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – March 12, 2026

A new analysis of the nation's top accounting firms reveals a stark performance divide, suggesting that strategic technology adoption has become a primary catalyst for accelerated growth. According to data derived from Inside Public Accounting’s (IPA) 2025 Top 100 Firms report, firms utilizing the agentic automation platform Suralink grew an average of 84% faster than their peers who do not use the service.

The report's figures are striking. The 54 firms within the IPA Top 100 that are Suralink customers reported an average revenue growth rate of 24.3% in 2025. In contrast, the 46 firms on the list that are not customers saw an average growth of 13.2%. While both groups are outperforming the broader industry, the delta between them highlights a significant competitive advantage tied to technology.

This announcement from Salt Lake City-based Suralink points to a rapidly accelerating trend. In 2024, the same analysis showed a 41% growth advantage for its customers, a figure that has more than doubled in just one year. The data suggests that as firms scale, the operational drag from inefficient client collaboration becomes a more significant barrier to growth, and the platforms designed to solve it deliver an increasingly powerful return on investment.

The Widening Performance Gap

While a 13.2% growth rate for a top-100 accounting firm is robust—more than double the projected industry-wide compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 6.1%—the 24.3% average achieved by Suralink users represents a significant leap. This suggests that while top-tier firms are already executing successful growth strategies, a specific subset is pulling away from the pack by leveraging technology to optimize a critical part of their workflow: the request-to-review process.

Industry experts note that the core of this advantage lies in addressing long-standing inefficiencies in how firms interact with clients to gather necessary documents and data for audits, tax filings, and other engagements. This friction point, often referred to as the 'Client Readiness Gap,' has been a persistent source of budget overruns, missed deadlines, and strained client relationships for decades.

“We are proud to support so many of the fastest-growing firms appearing on this year’s Top 100 list,” said Evan Fitzpatrick, CEO of Suralink, in a statement accompanying the data release. “These firms are among the most innovative and strategically focused in the industry, and they understand that unlocking and sustaining growth depends on closing the Client Readiness Gap and optimizing the request-to-review process.”

Cracking the Code of the 'Client Readiness Gap'

The 'Client Readiness Gap' is more than just industry jargon; it represents the chasm between a firm's need for timely, accurate information and a client's ability to provide it efficiently. This gap is fueled by dozens of small disconnects: unclear request lists sent via email, disorganized tracking in spreadsheets, insecure file transfers, and a lack of real-time visibility for both the engagement team and the client.

Research into the problem reveals its profound impact. Studies have shown that over 80% of clients express frustration with unclear requests, and nearly as many are vexed by disorganized processes. For firms, the consequences are tangible. Industry data indicates that over a quarter of all audit engagements exceed their budgeted hours and planned completion dates, largely due to delays and miscommunications rooted in this gap. The result is lost billable time, reduced profitability, and a compromised client experience.

Platforms like Suralink aim to close this gap by creating a secure, centralized environment for managing the entire engagement lifecycle. By unifying requests, document exchange, communication, and progress tracking, these systems replace fragmented, manual workflows. The platform's use of AI-powered agents to help pre-screen documents and validate data consistency further reduces the manual burden on accounting professionals, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks.

A Crowded Field for Efficiency Tools

Suralink is a prominent player in a competitive and growing market for accounting practice technology. Firms seeking to modernize their operations have a wide array of tools to choose from, including comprehensive practice management suites like Karbon and Canopy, secure document management systems such as SmartVault and ShareFile, and specialized audit tools like AuditDashboard and DataSnipper.

Each platform offers a different approach to solving the efficiency puzzle. Some focus on holistic project management and internal collaboration, while others excel at secure file sharing or tax-specific workflows. According to independent user reviews and industry analysis, Suralink's primary differentiator is its dedicated focus on optimizing the Prepared By Client (PBC) request list process and its reputation for ease of use for both the firm and, crucially, the end client.

Testimonials from users on software review platforms frequently praise the platform for its intuitive interface, which simplifies the process for clients who may not be tech-savvy, leading to faster and more accurate submissions. Firms have reported significant time savings, with some users citing a reduction of several hours per audit and others noting that management time spent on tracking down documents was cut by as much as 20-30% on a typical engagement.

The Broader Context of Industry Transformation

The remarkable growth figures are not occurring in a vacuum. The accounting profession is navigating a period of profound change, driven by two powerful forces: a severe talent shortage and the rapid advancement of automation and artificial intelligence.

The industry is grappling with a low unemployment rate for accountants and a wave of retirements, making it difficult to find and retain skilled professionals. This labor crunch has created immense pressure on firms to enhance productivity and do more with their existing teams. Technology that automates routine tasks, such as document collection and initial data validation, is no longer a luxury but a necessity for scaling operations without burning out staff.

Simultaneously, the shift toward advisory services continues to accelerate. By streamlining compliance-heavy work, firms can free up their most experienced professionals to focus on higher-margin services like business strategy, financial planning, and technology consulting. The ability to efficiently execute core audit and tax work directly enables this strategic pivot, which is a major driver of revenue growth. Therefore, the efficiency gained from platforms like Suralink translates not only to cost savings but also to the creation of new revenue opportunities, providing a clear pathway to the kind of outsized growth seen in the IPA data.