Accounting Retention Rate Calculator Examples
Worked annual accounting client retention examples for firms with different client-base outcomes.
These examples show how to separate retained clients from new business and how retention can differ from overall client growth.
Growing firm with moderate client losses
An accounting practice starts with 200 clients, adds 40 new clients, and ends with 210 clients.
Input Summary
Starting clients
200
New clients
40
Ending clients
210
Calculation Breakdown
- 1Retained clients210 - 40170 clients
- 2Retention rate(170 / 200) * 10085.0%
- 3Clients lost200 - 17030 clients
- 4Net client change210 - 200+10 clients
Result Summary
Net client change
+10 clients
Accounting Retention Rate Calculator
Retention is 85.0%, client loss is 15.0%, and the firm has 10 more active clients overall.
Stable client base with strong retention
A practice starts with 80 clients, gains 10 new clients, and ends with 86 clients.
Input Summary
Starting clients
80
New clients
10
Ending clients
86
Calculation Breakdown
- 1Retained clients86 - 1076 clients
- 2Retention rate(76 / 80) * 10095.0%
- 3Clients lost80 - 764 clients
- 4Net client change86 - 80+6 clients
Result Summary
Net client change
+6 clients
Accounting Retention Rate Calculator
The practice has 95.0% retention, a 5.0% loss rate, and net growth of 6 clients.
Flat year-end total with client churn
A firm starts with 150 clients, acquires 25 new clients, and ends with 150 clients.
Input Summary
Starting clients
150
New clients
25
Ending clients
150
Calculation Breakdown
- 1Retained clients150 - 25125 clients
- 2Retention rate(125 / 150) * 10083.3%
- 3Clients lost150 - 12525 clients
- 4Net client change150 - 1500 clients
Result Summary
Net client change
0 clients
Accounting Retention Rate Calculator
The firm has 83.3% retention and no net change in active client count.
Declining client base
A firm starts with 300 clients, gains 30 new clients, and ends with 270 clients.
Input Summary
Starting clients
300
New clients
30
Ending clients
270
Calculation Breakdown
- 1Retained clients270 - 30240 clients
- 2Retention rate(240 / 300) * 10080.0%
- 3Clients lost300 - 24060 clients
- 4Net client change270 - 300-30 clients
Result Summary
Net client change
-30 clients
Accounting Retention Rate Calculator
The firm has 80.0% retention, a 20.0% loss rate, and net decline of 30 clients.
How to Read Your Results
Retention rate focuses only on clients that were already active at the start of the year.
Retained clients are estimated by excluding new clients from the year-end client count.
Client loss rate is the complement of retention rate when the same client definitions are used.
Net client change shows whether the total active base grew or shrank after new business and losses.
Review retention alongside client segments, engagement types, and internal record quality for context.
Assumptions & Important Notes
- Each example uses an annual measurement period.
- All new clients are included in the new-client count.
- Client status is measured consistently at the start and end of the period.
Related Examples
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a firm grow its client base with low retention?
Yes. A large enough number of new clients can produce net growth even when the firm loses many opening clients.
What does a zero net client change mean?
It means the ending and starting totals match. It does not mean every opening client was retained.
Should client retention be calculated by service line?
It can be useful to calculate separate figures when client definitions and records are consistent for each service line.
Do these examples measure client fees?
No. They measure active clients by count, not recurring fees or revenue.
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