QoEs for Self-Funded Searchers

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— FAQ

Direct answers for serious buyers.

What Guardian does, what’s in a QoE, how pricing works, and how we’re different. If your question isn’t here, ask Elliott directly in Office Hours.

— What Guardian does
What does Guardian Due Diligence do for SMB buyers?
We provide buyer-side financial due diligence through Quality of Earnings (QoE) services. We dig past the financial statements using a proprietary process so you can proceed with full confidence — or walk with full conviction. Choose QoE Light, QoE, or Advised QoE, then reserve your engagement.
Searchers, self-funded buyers, independent sponsors, and serious acquirers on deals from $1M to $45M. Pricing on our site applies to purchase prices under $2M; larger deals are slightly more. We’re particularly well-positioned for first-time buyers and self-funded searchers.
Buyers who just want a checklist QoE to satisfy a lender. Guardian is judgment-led, not summary-led. If all you need is a PDF that calls everything ‘reasonable,’ we’re not the right fit.
— QoE vs. audit vs. financial statements
Do I need a QoE if I already have financial statements or an audit?
Yes. A QoE is an audit-like report prepared specifically for buyers to verify true earnings. An audit tests accounting records using a standard process. Due diligence is broader and tailored to what you need to confirm in this specific deal. QoE helps you validate performance when seller or broker numbers don’t tell the full story — and gives you the support to renegotiate price if true EBITDA is lower.
Adjusted EBITDA, Proof of Cash, profit by product or service, working capital analysis, customer concentration, owner-economics review — and a buyer recommendation. The full QoE package includes everything in QoE Light (Excel-only) plus the written QoE report.
Proof of Cash is a reconciliation that compares bank statements to financial reports — validating that reported revenue and expenses match real cash activity. It looks at deposits, checks and debits, and how income statement revenue ties to cash in the bank. It’s how we confirm the financial statements are real.
— Timing
How long does a QoE take?
We aim to surface 85% of major deal-breaking issues within 7 days. We provide a draft workbook by the end of week two — confirming whether the deal is materially off before you invest more time or money. That early signal is separate from completing the full diligence scope.
Within 48 hours of signing your LOI is ideal — that’s when triage and prioritization actually change the trajectory of the deal. It’s also when Priority Pricing applies.
Still talk to us. The 48-hour Priority Pricing window has closed, but we can still help — we’ll work with what we have.
— Packages and pricing
How much does a Guardian QoE cost?
Pricing starts at $20K (QoE Light), $25K (QoE), and $40K (Advised QoE). Prices shown are for purchase prices under $2M. Deals from $2M to $10M are priced higher — ask on your call. Fees are phased weekly and prorated equally. Detailed tax analysis is extra. 50% of QoE fees apply to your next deal.
QoE Light is the full QoE analysis delivered in Excel — without the PDF report. The QoE package includes the analysis plus a written, lender-friendly report. QoE Light covers standard scope, trailing twelve-month EBITDA, and working capital analysis going back to 2021. Choose the QoE package if you need a lender-friendly report, want a format accepted by equity investors, or prefer a written deliverable.
Advised QoE adds 10 advisory hours with Elliott alongside the standard QoE work. It includes projection model support, business plan support, a key-man risk assessment, and a 65-item red flag checklist. Pick this when you want our strongest protection on a complex deal.
If you engage within 48 hours of LOI signature, you get 20% off and front-of-line scheduling. Priority Pricing is access — not a coupon. It’s how we work with serious buyers who move fast.
Office Hours attendees get 20% off future Guardian QoE engagements.
— Lenders & investors
Will Guardian's QoE report be accepted by my bank or SBA lender?
Yes — the QoE package is designed for banks and SBA lenders. Requirements vary by lender, so we recommend confirming what yours wants. Our format is also accepted by equity investors. To de-risk the process, you can review or share a sample QoE report with your lender before you reserve.
— Office Hours
When are Office Hours?
Every other Friday at 12pm ET.
Share 2 LOIs you’ve sent in the last 30 days. Office Hours are for buyers actually in the market — not generic acquisition advice.
Attendees get 20% off future Guardian QoE purchases.
— How Guardian is different
How is Guardian different from a Big-4 QoE?
We come from the buyer’s side of the table. We make recommendations. We pressure-test, not summarize. Big-4 firms are built to describe the past — Guardian is built to stress-test whether the deal still works once you actually own it.
We use accounting. We are not summarizing-style accountants. Different job.
YouTube channel: youtube.com/@guardianduediligence. About 70% of our clients say they came in through the channel.

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