90+ Acquisitions, 30% Revenue CAGR, 35% Book Value Growth | Brett Kelly Interview

Brett Kelly is the founder and CEO of Kelly Partners Group. Since founding the firm in 2006, Brett has completed more than 90 acquisitions, compounded revenue at over 30% annually and built a business expected to generate roughly $50 million in EBITA in 2026.

Timestamps:
0:00 Brett Kelly's early years and losing his job at 22
3:57 Writing to 80 successful Australians while unemployed
9:13 The moment Brett decided to start his own firm
12:24 Launching Kelly Partners with a clear long-term vision
13:22 Inspired by Disney, McDonald's, Ritz-Carlton & Berkshire Hathaway
17:10 Choosing the right clients and creating a business system
18:36 The 204-step operating system behind Kelly Partners
19:01 The acquisition strategy: becoming #1 or #2 in local markets
24:05 Winning clients through a differentiated value proposition
28:27 Lessons learned from 95 acquisitions
29:06 Why the 51/49 ownership model works
31:39 What types of firms Kelly Partners acquires
32:59 Capital allocation and building a capital-efficient roll-up
34:30 Doubling profits after acquisitions: the biggest lever
35:18 AI, accounting, and the future of professional services
36:28 Permanent capital vs. traditional private equity
37:20 Brett's biggest challenge today: financing growth
37:53 Kelly Partners' 17-step hiring process
38:28 The future: building a global accounting platform
39:45 Focus, systems, and operating at world-class standards
41:17 Why passion and meaning matter in business
43:05 How accountants can genuinely improve people's lives
44:24 Final thoughts on leadership, culture, and making a difference
45:32 30% revenue CAGR, 35% book value growth & 90+ acquisitions

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.