Season 2 Episode 15: Finding Clarity in Complexity: The Due Diligence Process
October 1, 2026
If a business transaction is in your future, understanding the numbers behind the deal is critical. In this episode, Ryan Kelley breaks down due diligence, quality of earnings, and transaction readiness, explaining how buyers and sellers can uncover risks, identify opportunities, and make more informed decisions before a deal closes.
In this episode, we discuss:
- 00:00 Introduction
- 01:54 Breaking Down Complex Business Problems
- 04:08 Due Diligence Explained
- 07:12 Why Banks Require Diligence
- 09:50 Valuation vs. Quality of Earnings
- 11:17 How EBITDA Drives Business Value
- 14:20 What Buyers Really Look For
- 16:24 Adjusting for One-Time Events
- 18:01 When to Start Preparing for a Sale
- 20:59 QofE vs. Audit: What's the Difference?
- 22:26 Increasing the Value of Your Business
- 24:27 The Importance of Leadership and Relationships
- 25:18 Red Flags That Can Derail a Deal
- 28:05 Avoiding Last-Minute Surprises
- 29:21 Building the Right Deal Team
- 31:01 Ryan's Top Advice for Business Owners
About our guest Ryan Kelley
Ryan provides consulting services, including litigation services. He provides efficient analysis of the financial operations of businesses and the economic losses of individuals in litigation matters and other disputes. He also provides consulting services to assist businesses and individuals with facilitating the growth and efficiency of business operations. His extensive experience as a CPA and an auditor, and working across various-sized companies and industries, allows him to provide objective guidance in his analyses.
Learn more about Ryan and his expertise here.
About our host Brandon Smith
Brandon Smith, CPA, is a Partner based in the Atlanta office and the Advisory Practice Leader.
Learn more about Brandon and his expertise here.
Learn more about our firm here