MYCPE ONE

Accounting M&A Insider: Why QoE Can Make or Break Deals | Podcast #EP11 1 Credit

Accounting M&A Insider: Why QoE Can Make or Break Deals | Podcast #EP11 1 Credit

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Learning Objectives

  • Differentiate between a financial audit and a Quality of Earnings report.
  • Recognize red flags in financial statements that concern potential buyers.
  • Analyze how strategic and PE buyers evaluate QoE findings differently.
  • Evaluate the risks of excessive EBITDA adjustments or revenue concentration.
  • Identify key documents and preparation strategies for a clean due diligence process.

Course Overview

Is your EBITDA telling the truth, or just dressed up for the pitch? In this episode of Accounting M&A Insider, Saul is joined by Patrick McMillan, CEPA and seasoned M&A advisor, to unpack one of the most misunderstood tools in a transaction: the Quality of Earnings (QoE) report. With deal volume rising and buyers more skeptical than ever, Patrick reveals why a QoE is no longer optional—it’s your credibility check.

Drawing from hundreds of engagements, Patrick explains how a QoE dives deeper than audited financials to expose patterns that impact valuation and close probability. He outlines how QoE can uncover fake revenue lifts, shaky vendor relationships, excessive adjustments to EBITDA, and one-time events masked as recurring income. You’ll also hear why private equity and strategic buyers interpret QoE data differently, and how to preempt deal-killing surprises.

Key Topics:

  • Quality of earnings vs financial audits
  • Adjusted EBITDA risks and misconceptions
  • Buyer risk tolerance and diligence focus
  • Deal structure and buyer lens differences
  • Real QoE red flags and war stories

Whether you’re a seller looking to maximize valuation or a buyer protecting your capital, this podcast shows how QoE becomes your best defense and smartest strategy. If you're preparing for a transaction in the next 12–24 months, the time to think about QoE is now, not when due diligence hits your inbox.

Click here for more CPE Finance courses.

On Demand Credits for All Qualifications

License details Credits Status
Finance for Certified Public Accountants (CPA-US) 1 CPE Approved
Finance for Chartered Professional Accountant in Canada 1 CPD Eligible
Corporate Finance for Certified Management Accountants (CMA) 1 CPE Eligible
Finance for Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) 1 CPD Eligible
Finance for Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) 1 CPE Eligible
Mergers and acquisitions for Certified Financial Forensics (CFF) 1 CPD Eligible
Finance for Delaware Licensed Public Accountant (DE-LPA) 1 CPE Approved
Financial Planning and Analysis for Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) 1 CE Eligible
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) 1 CPD Eligible
Chartered Accountant - ICAEW 1 CPD Eligible
Bankruptcy, Insolvency, and Restructuring for Master Analyst In Financial Forensics (MAFF) 1 CPE Eligible
General finance principles and financial concepts for Certified FP&A Professional (FP&A) 1 CE Eligible
Mergers and acquisitions for Certified Business Appraiser (CBA)/Master Certified Business Appraiser (MCBA) 1 CPE Eligible
Finance for Iowa Licensed Public Accountant (IA-LPA) 1 CPE Approved
Finance for Maine Licensed Public Accountant (ME-LPA) 1 CPE Approved
Chartered Accountants - Scotland 1 CPD Eligible
Chartered Accountants - Ireland (CAI) 1 CPD Eligible
CPA - Ireland 1 CPD Eligible

Additional Information

Credit

1

Course Level

Basic

Instructional Method

QAS Self Study

Group Internet Based

Pre-requisites

None

Advance Preparation

None

NASBA APPROVED

MY-CPE LLC, 1600 Highway 6 south, suite 250, sugar land, TX, 77478

MY-CPE LLC is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

About Experts

Patrick McMillan

Patrick McMillan

CFO / Transaction Advisor, Amplēo

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Patrick is a CFO and transaction advisor at AmplÄ“o, Utah’s leading fractional executive firm, bringing over 20 years of finance expertise. Known as the “QofE Guy,” he has facilitated more than 100 M&A transactions totaling over $2 billion. Patrick works alongside AmplÄ“o’s 160+ consultants, delivering excellence in finance, marketing, HR, valuation, sales tax, and turnaround services.


A dynamic leader with a passion for numbers, Patrick has driven triple‑digit growth in multiple C‑suite roles. Raised in northeast Tennessee’s Appalachian Mountains, he enjoys biking, hiking, and camping with his wife, Erin—finding in the outdoors the balance that fuels his professional passion.

Saulsony

Saul Sony

Director, MYCPE ONE

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As Director – Partnerships, Content Strategy, and M&A Advisory, I drive growth at the intersection of education, strategic alliances, and transaction advisory within accounting and professional services.

I partner with thought leaders, firms, and content creators to build high-impact collaborations and deliver compliance-ready content that helps professionals educate, influence, and scale on the MY-CPE ONE platform. I work closely with CPA and accounting firm owners to support MYCPE ONE's inorganic growth strategy identifying the right partners and aligning them toward shared goals.

In the M&A and advisory space, I work closely with private equity firms, accounting leaders, and advisors to create educational resources that support practice growth, succession planning, and deal execution. Through podcasts, webinars, and curated learning experiences, my goal is to enable smarter dealmaking and build stronger professional alignment. I work with CPA and Accounting Firm owners to collectively help MYCPE ONE's inorganic growth plans.

On Demand FAQs

What is Self Study (QAS)?

Self Study QAS (Quality Assurance Service) is a NASBA and other regulatory bodies approved program designed for Professionals to complete their Continuing Professional Education credits through self-paced, interactive courses that meet the highest standards of quality and compliance. Our courses qualify for credits with NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other professional organizations.

How do I earn CPE credits through self-study?

To earn CPE credits, you must complete the self-study course, pass the required assessments, and submit the necessary documentation. Credits are awarded based on the completion of course hours and successfully passing the assessments.

Are the self-study courses accepted by NASBA and other professional organizations?

MY-CPE LLC courses are accepted for continuing education credit by various professional certification programs, including NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, and HRCI. MY-CPE LLC is also recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® and SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

What are the requirements to maintain compliance with self-study courses?

To maintain compliance, you must follow the guidelines set by NASBA and other regulatory bodies, which include completing the course within the specified timeframe, passing the assessments, and keeping accurate records of your learning activities.

How can I access my course completion certificates?

After successfully completing a self-study course and passing the assessments, you can access and download your course completion certificates from your account dashboard on our platform. These certificates are recognized by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other professional organizations for compliance and reporting purposes.

How are credits reported to governing bodies?

We issue instant credit certificates, ensuring they are valid for presentation to governing bodies. Typically, we report IRS, CTEC, CFP, IDFP, IWI, VBOA Ethics credits within 7 days – the fastest in the industry.

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Accounting M&A Insider: Why QoE Can Make or Break Deals | Podcast #EP11

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