Chris Barrett, CPA
Founder and Managing Director, Midwest CPA
Chris leads Midwest CPA’s Quality of Earnings and due diligence work for business acquisitions, and the firm’s monthly accounting, payroll and tax for the lower middle market.
- CPA
- Founded Midwest CPA in 2022
- Serving clients nationwide
- 350+Quality of Earnings reviews completed by Midwest CPA
- $1B+in combined transaction value
- 5.0Google rating from 79 reviews
About Chris
A CPA built for people who buy and run businesses
Chris Barrett, CPA, is the Founder and Managing Director of Midwest CPA, a licensed CPA firm that works remotely with clients nationwide. He founded the firm in 2022 after realizing that most accountants weren’t built to serve entrepreneurs trying to buy and grow companies.
Chris leads the team and works with clients to assess business deals, conduct due diligence and manage their finance and compliance requirements. He has advised on hundreds of acquisitions, and the firm has completed 350+ Quality of Earnings (QoE) reviews representing $1B+ in combined transaction value. Every Midwest CPA QoE includes a proof of cash and a net working capital analysis with a working capital target.
His clients include self-funded and traditional searchers, independent sponsors, private equity groups, family offices, lenders and owners preparing to sell. After the close, Chris and his team provide monthly accounting, payroll, tax and fractional CFO support for owner-operated and post-acquisition companies.
Chris writes and speaks regularly on entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) and small-business M&A: in the Midwest CPA Learning Center, in short videos on his YouTube channel, as host of the I Bought a Business podcast, and as a guest on panels, webinars and interviews. He believes business owners need more than tax returns and bookkeeping: they need real financial clarity to drive decisions and growth.
- RoleFounder and Managing Director, Midwest CPA
- CredentialCertified Public Accountant (CPA)
- FirmLicensed CPA firm, Wisconsin Firm #1651 · PASBA member
- FoundedMidwest CPA, 2022
- Works withClients nationwide, remotely
- FocusQuality of Earnings, financial due diligence, accounting and tax for acquisitions
- FollowLinkedIn · YouTube · X
Areas of expertise
Where Chris spends his time
Quality of Earnings (QoE)
Adjusted EBITDA and add-back testing for buy-side, lender-ready and sell-side reports.
Quality of EarningsProof of cash
Tying reported revenue and expenses to bank activity, included in every Midwest CPA QoE.
What is a proof of cash?Net working capital
Working capital analysis and a working capital target (peg) you can defend in the purchase agreement.
Calculating NWCSBA 7(a) acquisitions
Diligence an SBA lender and investors can follow, and the risks buyers should model.
SBA buyer riskEntrepreneurship through acquisition
Working with searchers from the CIM and LOI through closing.
CPA services for searchersPost-acquisition accounting and tax
Monthly accounting, payroll, tax and fractional CFO support after the close.
Accounting services
Learning Center
Articles by Chris
Practical guides for buyers and owners, written from the work Chris and his team do every week.
- QoE & due diligenceWhat Is A Quality Of Earnings Report?
What a QoE is, how to read one and why it matters in due diligence.
- QoE & due diligenceWhat Factors Influence the Cost of a Quality of Earnings Report?
Complexity, industry, deal size and entity structure.
- QoE & due diligenceWhat is a Proof of Cash?
How a proof of cash works and why it is central to financial due diligence.
- QoE & due diligenceCalculating Net Working Capital: The Ultimate Deal Killer
How to calculate NWC and the adjustments that matter.
- Buying a businessHow to Read a CIM: A Business Buyer’s Guide
What each section should tell you and how to pressure-test add-backs.
- Buying a businessHow to Find a Business to Buy: A Practical Playbook for Searchers
Buy box, brokers, off-market outreach and screening deals before an LOI.
- Buying a businessThe Risk Most SBA Buyers Don’t Put in the Model
The personal guarantee, and what a failed deal could cost.
- Buying a businessUnder LOI? Here’s When Walking Away Is the Smart Move
Three deal breakers that should make you walk away before closing.
- After the closePost-Acquisition Integration: Your 100 Day Plan
A plan for your first 100 days as the new owner.
Video, podcasts and talks
Watch and listen
- YouTube
Chris Barrett, CPA on YouTube
Short answers on QoE cost, CIMs, working capital and the J-curve.
Watch on YouTube - Podcast host
I Bought a Business podcast
Chris interviews acquisition entrepreneurs. Episode 1: buying a med spa in Chicago with Dhruv Patel.
Read the episode - Interview
SMB PE Expert Interviews with Dennis Unrein
The critical role of accounting and Quality of Earnings in SMB M&A.
Watch and read the summary - Panel
Salt Lake City ETA panel
A live panel hosted by Chase Murdock of Durable, with M&A attorney Eric Hsu and Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital Advisory.
Read the takeaways
What clients and partners say
Working with Chris
“Chris is an absolute top notch M&A financial due-diligence provider. He and I have worked on many, many deals together and not only has his advice and services been reliable, accurate and very actionable, but he has been very responsive to client needs and requests. I always am happy to send clients over to Chris because I know that they will be treated and served very well. Keep Chris in your Rolodex!”
“My go-to for financial due diligence! Chris and the team are exceptional at what they do. They've helped two of my clients buy businesses confidently with solid and clear QofE reports. He also recently did a presentation to 10 of my clients on financial due diligence and gave so much industry knowledge and confidence. Do not hesitate to work with this team!”
“Chris and the Midwest team have been incredible to work with. I’ve needed about 10 QofEs over my career and the experience working with Chris has been among the best. Will definitely work with him and the team again.”
Connect
Follow Chris
Find Chris on LinkedIn, YouTube and X.