Chris Barrett

CPA, Accounting & Tax Specialist in Acquisitions

Chris Barrett is a registered CPA and founder of Midwest CPA. He is an accountant and tax professional who provides CPA services to entrepreneurs looking to acquire businesses

Chris leads the team at Midwest CPA and works with clients to help them assess business deals, conduct due diligence and manage their finance and compliance requirements.

Chris has written a number of insightful articles and spoken at various events and webinars on entrepreneurship through acquisition.

Chris Barrett, CPA

Managing Director/Owner

Webinars With Chris Barrett

More Articles And Content From Chris

frustrated man in a gray shirt with two stacks of books and papers
SMB
Chris Barrett

Customer Concentration Risk: Lessons from a Failed Acquisition

When buying a small business, financial red flags aren’t always obvious. Though commonly overlooked, customer concentration risk is one of the most dangerous red flags. We recently worked on a deal where the seller claimed their largest customer only accounted for 20% of revenue. But after a deeper dive in the quality of earnings (QoE) process, we uncovered that the real figure was over 60%. That discovery ultimately killed the deal.

Read More »
black and white image of a calculator with the edge of a laptop keyboard and a bar chart showing revenue over a period of time
ETA
Chris Barrett

Cash vs. Accrual: The Importance of Revenue Recognition

When it comes to accounting methods, cash basis accounting is often favored by small business owners for its simplicity. Under this approach, revenue is only recognized when cash is received, and expenses are recorded when cash is actually paid. While easy to manage, this method can distort the financial picture by failing to align revenue and expenses with the periods they relate to, resulting in inconsistent, “lumpy” financials.

Read More »
a calculator and open pen on top of business accounting paperwork
SMB
Chris Barrett

What Determines Your Accounting Quote at Midwest CPA?

Starting or running a small business means balancing growth, cash flow, and operational priorities. One key partner in that journey is your accountant or CPA. 

Perhaps you’re just looking into your small business accounting options, or maybe you’ve already decided to check out our pricing guide to compare it with other options out there, and want to know why different firms charge so differently.

In this post, we’ll walk you through how Midwest CPA determines pricing for monthly accounting services. You’ll learn what drives the costs, what’s included in each of our service tiers, and why our fixed‑fee model offers clarity and consistency for business owners.

Read More »
a book and notebook with a crumpled page, indicating frustration with a deal breaker.
ETA
Chris Barrett

Under LOI? Here’s When Walking Away Is the Smart Move

Signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) is a big step in acquiring a business. It signals serious intent, begins due diligence, and often involves commitments of time, effort, and money. But being under LOI does not guarantee you should go all the way to closing. Sometimes walking away is the smartest decision you can make. In this article, you’ll discover three critical reasons to walk away before closing so you can avoid buying the wrong company and instead, invest in the right one.

Read More »
Worker on a bench with a lamp and coffee, as though they are working late into the night.
ETA
Chris Barrett

Buying a Business While Working Full Time: A Practical Guide

One of the most common questions aspiring entrepreneurs ask is: “Can I realistically buy a business while working full time?” The short answer is yes, you absolutely can.

This path is becoming increasingly popular, especially among professionals who want to transition into entrepreneurship without taking on the immediate financial risks of leaving a stable paycheck. By keeping your job, you maintain financial security, reduce stress around funding, and give yourself more time to evaluate deals carefully. At the same time, this approach comes with challenges, since the search process is time-intensive, brokers may question your seriousness, and juggling responsibilities requires discipline and structure.

The good news is that with the right strategy, strong time management, and a clear acquisition plan, it’s possible to make real progress toward ownership even when your schedule feels packed. In this guide, we’ll explore why buying a business while working full time can work, the trade-offs compared to full-time searching, and the practical steps you can take to make it happen. By the end, you’ll have a roadmap for approaching your search with confidence, credibility, and clarity.

Read More »
Scroll to Top

Contact

Connect