We Handle Both Buy-Side and Sell-Side Diligence-Without Killing the Deal

Buyers want clean numbers.
Sellers want to preserve their narrative.
And M&A advisors? You just want the deal to close—with your reputation intact.

At High Point Advisory Group, we sit in the middle—and stay there intentionally.

We’re a financial diligence partner who understands the nuances of dealmaking, not just the numbers. Whether we’re hired by the buyer, engaged by the seller, or referred by the advisor, we provide clarity without chaos and precision without panic. Our job is to get deals across the finish line without stepping on landmines—or people.

And that only happens when your diligence partner knows how to speak everyone’s language.

Buyers Need Clarity, Not Conflict

If you’re on the buy-side—especially in the lower middle market—you know how fragile founder-led deals can be.

These aren’t pristine, audit-ready companies. The books are messy. The addbacks are aggressive. The working capital story changes every time you ask. But there’s real value underneath it all—if you know how to find it without blowing up the deal.

That’s where we come in.

Our full-scope Quality of Earnings reports are built for private equity groups, family offices, and strategic buyers who need to understand what they’re walking into. We go beyond the spreadsheet to unpack what’s really going on with the business: margin trends, customer concentration, recurring revenue dynamics, seasonality, and more.

But here’s the difference—we do it with tact.

We’ve seen too many diligence providers torpedo good deals by delivering “gotcha” reports, undermining trust, or lobbing questions that feel like accusations. At High Point, we balance technical depth with relationship awareness. We explain issues clearly, propose solutions thoughtfully, and keep both sides engaged.

So when you hit a red flag, you don’t lose the seller—you gain a path forward.

Sellers Deserve to Go to Market With Confidence

If you’re representing the sell-side—or advising them—you know that financial presentation can make or break a deal.

Inconsistent numbers, poor categorization, undocumented adjustments, or a lack of clarity on owner compensation can erode buyer trust fast. Once the buyer starts questioning credibility, the negotiation leverage is gone—and you spend the rest of the process defending instead of driving.

Our sell-side financial prep is built to avoid that.

We work alongside the seller and their advisor (often the banker or broker) to normalize earnings, vet and document addbacks, clean up historical books, and create a financial narrative that holds up under scrutiny. When sellers go to market with confidence—and clarity—they attract better buyers, stronger offers, and fewer surprises in diligence.

This isn’t about window dressing. It’s about putting your client in the best possible position to succeed—and saving everyone time, energy, and re-trades.

And because we also do buy-side work, we know exactly what buyers will ask. So we preempt the questions, fix the issues, and prevent that dreaded “pause” in the middle of a process.

Advisors, Bankers, and Brokers: We Make You Look Good

You already have enough on your plate: managing seller expectations, holding buyers accountable, coordinating legal, driving timelines, and playing referee when things get tense.

The last thing you need is a diligence provider who acts like a wrecking ball.

We know what it takes to protect your client relationships, preserve momentum, and uphold your reputation as a dealmaker who runs a tight process. When you refer High Point into a deal—whether on the buy-side or sell-side—you get a team that reflects your professionalism and enhances your outcomes.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Fewer “Oh no” moments mid-process
• Cleaner buyer-seller interactions during diligence
• Less time explaining messy financials
• More credibility with institutional capital

And when a deal isn’t quite ready to go to market, we step in with ongoing advisory support to help the seller get back on track—without you losing the mandate.

One Partner for Both Sides of the Table

Most firms specialize in either buy-side or sell-side support.
We do both—and we’re better for it.

That dual perspective allows us to:

• Spot deal-breakers early, no matter who hires us
• Translate concerns between parties without triggering defensiveness
• Structure findings in a way that promotes problem-solving, not panic
• Help advisors position deals more effectively before diligence even begins

In founder-led deals, that translation layer is critical. One misstep—one misworded email or overly technical report—can derail months of relationship-building.

We’re not just accountants. We’re financial interpreters who help investors, sellers, and advisors move together toward a successful close.

What We Deliver

Depending on deal size, client type, and timing, we offer:

Full-Scope Quality of Earnings
For institutional buyers, our comprehensive QoE work includes deep revenue testing, margin trend analysis, EBITDA normalization, working capital analysis, and seller-specific red flag reporting.

QoE-Lite for Smaller Deals
For deals under $3M, we offer an agile version of our diligence services that focuses on the most important elements: revenue stability, owner comp normalization, basic working capital needs, and clear margin trends.

Sell-Side Financial Cleanup and Exit Prep
For sellers and their advisors, we provide everything from accounting cleanup and GAAP conversion to addback documentation and pre-diligence reporting—helping sellers go to market with confidence and transparency.

Post-Close Support for PE Firms
Once the deal closes, we don’t walk away. We frequently support the monthly close process, train internal finance hires, or serve as fractional CFOs during the transition period. That continuity keeps performance on track while your team executes the investment thesis.

Why This Matters for PE Firms

You don’t just need clean diligence—you need operational continuity.

At High Point, we’re not only validating the numbers pre-close. We’re also building the financial foundation for what happens after you own the asset. From onboarding the accounting system to standing up your monthly reporting cadence, we bridge the gap between diligence and value creation.

We also know how to handle founder-sensitive deals, where relationships matter as much as the math. Our team brings real-world experience in private equity and operations—so we flag the risks and propose solutions that actually work post-close.

Why This Matters for Investment Bankers and M&A Advisors

Your reputation is built on your ability to get deals done.
And your best clients are the ones who come back—or refer you to others.

That’s why it’s critical to have a diligence partner who protects the deal without adding friction. When you bring High Point in on a deal, we treat your client like our client. We’re professional, discreet, and always aligned with the goal: a smooth, credible close that preserves value for everyone.

And when a deal isn’t quite ready? We help you salvage it.
With financial cleanup, exit prep, and fractional support, we bring companies back to market stronger—and help you keep your pipeline alive.

Final Word: Choose a Diligence Partner That Protects the Deal and the People in It

At High Point, we don’t just deliver diligence.
We preserve alignment, protect relationships, and create clarity on both sides of the table.

We’re trusted by PE firms for deep financial insights.
We’re respected by founders for our transparency and tact.
And we’re relied on by advisors and bankers for our ability to keep deals moving without derailing momentum.

Because in the lower middle market, the numbers matter—but so does the narrative.

If you need a diligence partner who understands both, reach out to us at info@highpointadvisorygroup.com.

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