Take the 5-minute Modern Firm Assessment
How modern is your accounting firm?
See where your firm falls within The 5 Stages of Modern Firm Development with our quick 5-minute self-assessment.
You’ll uncover:
- Your firm’s development stage and where you stand compared to the national benchmark.
- Percentage scores across all three focus areas.
- Actionable next steps to accelerate your firm’s modernization.
Insights for firms of all sizes
- Benchmark your firm against modern practice standards.
- Identify areas for improvement that will have the greatest impact.
- Prioritize future investments in your firm’s development.
- Plan your firm’s evolution with confidence and clarity.
Get your score in three key areas:
Technology & Workflows
See how your firm leverages cloud technology, remote work, and AI—and identify where digital gaps may be holding you back.
IT Administration & Security
Discover how protected your firm really is against cyberthreats, from basic network security to advanced threat detection and staff training.
Firm Management
Review the strategic foundations that matter most: growth plans, succession readiness, client profitability, and market positioning.
FAQs
Rightworks has identified five distinct stages of firm development based on extensive research and experience working with thousands of firms over the past two decades. These stages represent a developmental continuum from foundational to advanced maturity, reflecting real patterns we’ve observed across firms of all sizes. Your score shows where you currently stand in your journey toward becoming a modern accounting firm, benchmarked against insights from our dedication to the accounting profession.
The assessment is a comprehensive 5-minute self-evaluation tool that helps accounting firms understand their current level of operational maturity in terms of their technology and workflows, IT administration and security, and firm management practices.
Most respondents complete the assessment in less than 5 minutes.
The assessment should be completed by firm leadership (partners, managing partners) or those with comprehensive knowledge of the firm’s technology, security practices, and business operations. For the most accurate results, you may want to consult with your IT manager or security vendor for the most accurate results for certain technical questions.
The assessment is designed to be relevant for firms of all sizes. Questions are structured to apply whether you’re a solo practitioner or a multi-partner firm. Your stage placement reflects maturity relative to your firm’s context.
No problem. Each question includes a “Don’t know” option. You won’t earn points for these answers, but you won’t lose points either. Think of them as helpful flags—they highlight areas where your firm might need better documentation or awareness.
Your overall score is a percentage based on all your responses, weighted by importance, determining your firm’s developmental stage.
This score breaks down into three focus areas—Technology & Workflows, IT Administration & Security, and Firm Management—each showing its own completion percentage. Use these insights to prioritize where to improve: address your weakest area, strengthen security gaps, or advance technology for better collaboration and efficiency.
While higher stages indicate firms have integrated advancements and modernization strategies to improve operations and better serve their clients, the “right” stage depends on your firm’s size, goals, and client needs. The assessment helps you understand where you are today and provides insights that may help inform your firm’s development.
Use your results to identify strengths and gaps in your firm’s operations. Prioritize areas for improvement based on your strategic goals, client needs, and available resources.
Whether you’re at the pathfinding stage or considered fully future proof, there are a number of resources at your disposal to move your firm forward. To get more details on The 5 Stages of Modern Firm Development and access helpful resources, click here.
Yes, we encourage you to retake the assessment either every 6 months or after implementing significant changes in your firm to track your progress over time.
The assessment is designed to be completed in one session. We recommend setting aside 5-10 minutes when you have access to the needed information and won’t be interrupted.
Yes, your responses are confidential and your information will never be shared.