Quality of Earnings

Independent analysis of earnings quality and sustainability, providing buyers, sellers, and investors with confidence in transaction decisions.

Overview

Reported earnings aren’t always real earnings.

Our quality of earnings (QoE) engagements examine the sustainability and accuracy of a company’s reported earnings.

We help provide buyers, sellers, and lenders with a clearer picture of a company’s true economic performance, beyond what the financial statements alone can offer. Our QoE engagements focus on identifying non-recurring items, normalizing adjustments to EBITDA, evaluating revenue recognition policies and practices, and assessing working capital trends.

Unlike an audit, QoE engagements are not designed to express an opinion on the financial statements as a whole. Instead, it provides a targeted analysis of the earnings stream that a purchase price is built upon. AsuraTrust is a Tampa-based CPA Firm, and we support buyers, sellers, and lenders on transactions involving companies in the Tampa area and beyond.

Get started

Whether you’re preparing to buy, getting ready to go to market, or weighing a financing decision, our Firm is here to help. Schedule a consultation today.

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Engagement details

What to expect from the engagement.

01

Scope

Specifically targets a company’s earnings stream and working capital trends.

02

Common uses

QoE engagements are commonly utilized as part of mergers and acquisitions and are usually performed from one of two vantage points, buy-side or sell-side.

03

Value

Provides specified parties with a high degree of confidence in the reliability of the information being analyzed.

04

Deliverable

Unlike an audit, no opinion is expressed. The typical output for a QoE engagement is an analytical report intended for a specific user.

Who it’s for

Three vantage points on the same earnings.

Buyers

Private equity & strategic buyers

An independent view of sustainable EBITDA before the deal closes — the earnings a purchase multiple is actually applied to. QoE findings support financing packages and strengthen positions in purchase price negotiations.

Sellers

Business owners & sellers

Find the issues before a buyer’s diligence team does. A sell-side QoE surfaces adjustments early, builds a defensible adjusted EBITDA, and reduces the risk of price re-trading late in the process.

Lenders

Lenders & credit funds

Debt decisions rest on normalized cash flow, not reported results. A QoE analysis helps lenders assess whether earnings can realistically support the proposed debt service before capital is committed.

Buy-side vs. sell-side

Designed for both sides of the transaction.

Who engages us

Buy-sideThe acquirer or investor, typically after a letter of intent is signed.

Sell-sideThe company or its owners, before going to market.

When it happens

Buy-sideDuring due diligence, before closing.

Sell-sideAhead of the sale process — often months before buyers are contacted.

What we focus on

Buy-sideValidating reported EBITDA, quality of revenue, customer concentration, and the working capital peg.

Sell-sideSurfacing normalizing adjustments early and preparing a defensible adjusted EBITDA.

What it does for the deal

Buy-sideInforms the purchase price, the financing, and the terms of the purchase agreement.

Sell-sideShortens buyer diligence and reduces the risk of late-stage price re-trading.

Related service

Need assurance on the financial statements themselves? Learn more about our financial statement audits.

Next step

Considering a transaction?

Connect with us to discuss how our services can provide the support you need.

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