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We Help You Buy The Right Business.

(And Avoid Buying The Wrong One)

Midwest CPA specializes in Quality of Earnings and financial due diligence for buyers acquiring $1M–$5M businesses. 

WE HELP YOU UNDERSTAND:

  • Whether the financials of a business actually hold up
  • Whether EBITDA has been calculated correctly
  • Where you may have negotiation leverage
  • Hidden risks buried in the numbers
  • What the business truly earns

Sometimes, the QofE confirms the deal is solid.

Other times, we’ve helped buyers save hundreds of thousands (even $1M+ in a few cases) before they close.

Either way, they get to move forward with confidence and peace-of-mind.


Trusted by Hundreds of Acquisition Entrepreneurs

QoE's Completed
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5 star reviews
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OUR CLIENTS SAY THINGS LIKE

What Acquisition Entrepreneurs Say

Matthias Smith
“Chris has been a truly invaluable partner / collaborator on numerous M&A deals in the small to medium sized business space, providing financial due diligence to various clients that I’ve worked with ranging from a buyer of a demolition company to a buyer of a niche online goods business. If you’re looking for a rock solid CPA or someone that is really good at M&A financial due diligence, look no further than Chris’ firm.”
Chad Blodgett
“Midwest CPA delivered much more than I expected. The QofE was stellar, and the lending bank even stated that it was the best one they have seen. Chris and team were responsive, clear, and easy to work with. I highly recommend Midwest CPA.”
Pacy Woonteiler
“I met Chris through the search fund business buying network. I hired him and his team to doe a Quality of earnings for a business that I ended up purchasing. He was super responsive. Got the reporting done in a timely manner. Everyone who reviewed the financial analyis was amazed at the quality of work he did. I then hired him to do a a proforma for the business that I can present to investors and the banks to help fund the acquisition.”
Eric Hsu
“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!”
Athena Simpson
“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!”
Cathy Wang
“Chris and Alyssa were a pleasure to work with on my QofE. They were very thorough and knowledgable about every aspect of the process. From taxes to banking services, they answered every one of my questions to satisfaction. I hired another popular accounting firm for my first transaction (it didn't close) and I was much more impressed with Chris and Alyssa's quality of work. I would not say I'm an easy client... I tend to have a lot of questions and I can get very detailed, but they impressed me with how much they knew about my acquisition, given they probably work on a few of these a week. I can't recommend Midwest CPA enough. I'll be telling all my friends!”
Jordan McDonald
“Chris and his team did an outstanding job on my quality of earnings report! They've gone above and beyond to help me navigate the business buying process, get the best terms, and steer clear of any red flags. Highly recommend working with them!”
Jose de Alba
“Chris at Midwest CPA was extremely helpful in our process of purchasing a business. We worked with him on two separate deals and he was always willing to explain details that we didn’t quite understand. Additionally, the provided Quality of Earnings report was thorough and helps to highlight the pros and cons of the business finances of the target business. If you’re buying a business we’d highly recommend using their services. We will be reaching out to them for payroll and taxes services in the near future as well.”
Jeff Bartsch
“Chris and Alyssa delivered fantastic work for my recent QofE. They communicated promptly and professionally with the seller group and me, and they paid attention to every last detail. I absolutely recommend working with them.”
Cristian Molina Cornejo
“Chris and Alyssa at Midwest CPA were fantastic in the QoE and were instrumental in identifying key areas to spend additional time in during diligence. They spent time in key areas and were extremely responsive throughout the process. I'd recommend them for folks new and experienced in acquisitions and would want them on my team again!”
Max Augliere
“Chris and Alyssa at Midwest CPA are extraordinary. They are professional, realistic, insightful, and thorough. I used them for a Quality of Earnings report and couldn't be more pleased with their service. They give you the hard news, the good news, and everything in between with the utmost professionalism. I'm excited to continue working with them, and would highly recommend them for any acquisition entrepreneur out there.”
Nathan Snyder
“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.”
Will Gano
“Chris is the real deal. He is efficient, thoughtful, and great to work with. He helped me with financial diligence, including q of e, for a manufacturing business.”
Bobby Garner
“Midwest CPA provided a thorough Quality of Earnings, solid explanations of their findings and answered my questions. The entire experience was fast and methodical with actionable results. Highly recommend.”
Jamie Gallagher
“Chris did my QoE for an acquisition and I was very happy with the results. He did a great job and was very responsive and knowledgeable when I had questions. I would definitely use him again.”
Ethan Reznikoff
“Chris has been an invaluable resource during my SMB acquisition. He started as my financial due diligence provider, putting together a comprehensive QoE, and has become a trusted partner that I plan to use for all bookkeeping and financial operations post-acquisition. Highly recommend to anyone looking to acquire an SMB!”
Clint Rusch
“Have been thrilled with my work with Chris. His attention to detail and first-rate diligence work have been instrumental in helping my business acquisition go as smoothly as it has gone. Can't wait to work more with him in the future!”
Alejandro Abdala
“Midwest CPA helped us during the financial due diligence for the acquisition of an SMB. Chris did a great job communicating with us and the seller, he was very professional and delivered on the things he promised. His deliverable is thorough, organized and easy to read, would highly recommend”
Jacob Forbis
“Chris is awesome. Super knowledgeable, professional, and incredibly responsive. He assisted me with my QoE for my business acquisition and he and the team performed the task efficiently and effectively. I am excited to continue to work with him for years to come.”

WHY IT MATTERS

Almost Every Acquisition Entrepreneur Goes Through The Same Cycle​

Excitement about the opportunity… then concern that they might be about to make a very expensive mistake. Because if the numbers aren’t what they appear to be, the consequences are severe.

Unfortunately, those situations happen more often than people think. I’ve seen buyers skip financial diligence because the seller convinced them it wasn’t necessary.

I’ve seen buyers skip financial diligence because the seller convinced them it wasn’t necessary.

Six weeks after closing, one buyer was already in litigation with the seller and trying to figure out how to avoid losing his house.

IF THE NUMBERS AREN’T WHAT THEY APEAR YOU COULD…

  • Buy a business that isn't as profitable as advertised
  • Inherit financial problems you didn't see coming
  • Overpay by hundreds of thousands of dollars
  • End up in litigation after closing

HOW WE EVALUATE A DEAL

Our 5-Step Process

1

Financial Verification

We reconcile bank statements, tax returns, payroll, and financials to confirm the numbers match.

2

EBITDA Analysis

We rebuild EBITDA from the ground up and stress-test every adjustment to confirm earnings claims.

3

Risk Investigation

We analyze margins, revenue trends, and operational risks that affect future performance.

4

Seller Interviews

We meet with the seller to clarify inconsistencies and ask the questions buyers often miss.

5

QoE Report

You receive a clear, structured report outlining true earnings, risks, and negotiation leverage.

So instead of guessing or hoping you’re buying the right business… you’re making a fully informed decision, with the data to back it up.
 

WHO RUNS MIDWEST CPA

Chris Barrett, CPA

FOUNDER, MIDWEST CPA

Over the past several years, I’ve worked on hundreds of acquisition deals, primarily helping buyers acquire small businesses in the $1M–$10M range.

I started Midwest CPA as a side hustle in 2023. Now, we’re a $2.1M firm with a team of 15.

Most of our clients:

  • Are looking to buy a $1M–$5M business
  • Often in the trades or manufacturing
  • Want to make sure they're not walking into a disaster

If that sounds like you, let’s talk.

FREE CONSULTATION

Grab A Spot On My Calendar

No pitch. No pressure. Just a straightforward conversation about your deal and whether we can help.

  • 100% free
  • We'll review your deal together
  • Get clarity before you move forward

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