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 223:57 Writing to 80 successful Australians while unemployed9:13 The moment Brett decided to start his own firm12:24 Launching Kelly Partners with a clear long-term vision13:22 Inspired by Disney, McDonald's, Ritz-Carlton & Berkshire Hathaway17:10 Choosing the right clients and creating a business system18:36 The 204-step operating system behind Kelly Partners19:01 The acquisition strategy: becoming #1 or #2 in local markets24:05 Winning clients through a differentiated value proposition28:27 Lessons learned from 95 acquisitions29:06 Why the 51/49 ownership model works31:39 What types of firms Kelly Partners acquires32:59 Capital allocation and building a capital-efficient roll-up34:30 Doubling profits after acquisitions: the biggest lever35:18 AI, accounting, and the future of professional services36:28 Permanent capital vs. traditional private equity37:20 Brett's biggest challenge today: financing growth37:53 Kelly Partners' 17-step hiring process38:28 The future: building a global accounting platform39:45 Focus, systems, and operating at world-class standards41:17 Why passion and meaning matter in business43:05 How accountants can genuinely improve people's lives44:24 Final thoughts on leadership, culture, and making a difference45:32 30% revenue CAGR, 35% book value growth & 90+ acquisitionsThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.