Kroll Review: Is the World’s #1 Risk Advisory Firm Right for Your SBA Acquisition?
When it comes to due diligence and financial advisory, few names carry as much weight as Kroll. As the world’s leading financial and risk advisory firm, Kroll operates at a scale that most due diligence providers can only dream of. Listed on VerSquare.com as a top-tier due diligence provider, Kroll brings institutional-grade capabilities to the M&A process.
But is Kroll the right fit for SBA acquisition entrepreneurs? Let’s break it down.
About Kroll: Firm Overview
Kroll is a global firm that provides financial advisory, risk advisory, and business services to corporations, law firms, private equity firms, and government agencies worldwide. Originally founded as a corporate investigations firm, Kroll has evolved into a comprehensive advisory powerhouse with thousands of professionals across multiple continents.
The firm operates across three major divisions:
- Financial Advisory — Measuring and maximizing value across the deal continuum
- Risk Advisory — Translating risk into opportunity through cybersecurity, compliance, and investigations
- Business Services — Streamlining complex administrative needs
Kroll’s client base includes Fortune 500 companies, major private equity firms, and mid-market businesses — they’re the firm that other firms benchmark against.
Core Services Relevant to Business Acquisitions
Financial Due Diligence
Kroll’s financial due diligence practice is among the most respected in the world. Their teams analyze:
- Quality of Earnings (QoE) — Comprehensive earnings analysis with institutional-grade methodology
- Revenue quality and sustainability — Evaluating whether current revenue levels are maintainable
- Working capital analysis — Determining appropriate working capital targets for purchase price adjustments
- Historical financial performance — Deep dive into trends, seasonality, and anomalies
- Pro forma adjustments — Identifying legitimate and questionable add-backs
Valuation Services
Kroll is widely regarded as the gold standard in business valuation. Their valuation practice covers:
- Business enterprise valuations — Independent assessment of what a business is worth
- Fairness opinions — Third-party opinions on whether a deal price is fair
- Purchase price allocation — Post-acquisition accounting requirements
- Intangible asset valuation — Valuing customer relationships, IP, brand value, and goodwill
Kroll’s valuation insights are published regularly and referenced throughout the industry. Their H2 2025 Valuation Insights report covers themes shaping valuation and transaction dynamics across sectors.
Risk Advisory & Cybersecurity
In today’s digital economy, understanding a target’s cybersecurity posture is increasingly important. Kroll offers:
- Cybersecurity due diligence — Assessing the target’s digital vulnerabilities before you buy
- Compliance assessments — Evaluating regulatory compliance and identifying exposure
- Investigative due diligence — Background investigations on sellers, key employees, and business operations
- Cyber risk management — Their report on cybersecurity risk management across private equity provides insights into peer approaches and governance
Transaction Advisory
- Deal structuring support — Leveraging their massive deal database to inform optimal structures
- Integration planning — Post-acquisition integration support
- Tax advisory — Transaction-related tax analysis and structuring
Strengths of Kroll for Business Acquisitions
- Unmatched reputation: Kroll’s name is synonymous with due diligence. Having a Kroll QoE or valuation report carries enormous credibility with lenders, investors, and counterparties
- Institutional methodology: Their processes and frameworks have been refined across thousands of transactions, reducing the risk of something being missed
- Cybersecurity capabilities: In an era of increasing digital risk, Kroll’s ability to assess cyber vulnerabilities during DD is a genuine differentiator
- Global resources: For acquisitions involving international operations, cross-border transactions, or complex multi-entity structures, Kroll has the reach
- Research and thought leadership: Kroll regularly publishes valuation insights, market benchmarks, and industry data that inform their work
- Private credit benchmarks: Their StepStone Private Credit Benchmarks support accurate market comparisons
Potential Considerations for SBA Buyers
- Cost: Kroll is a premium provider. Their fees reflect their brand and capabilities, which may be disproportionate for smaller SBA deals (under $2M purchase price). Budget-conscious buyers should compare costs carefully
- Engagement size focus: Kroll’s typical clients are private equity firms and large corporations. Smaller SBA acquisitions may not get the same priority or senior attention as larger mandates
- Turnaround time: Large firms with complex processes can sometimes take longer to deliver. SBA deals often have tight timelines, so confirm delivery expectations upfront
- Overkill for simple deals: If you’re acquiring a straightforward small business with clean books and a simple business model, Kroll’s comprehensive capabilities may be more than you need
Who Is Kroll Best For?
Kroll is an excellent choice for:
- Larger SBA acquisitions ($5M+) where the complexity and stakes justify premium due diligence
- Acquisitions in regulated industries (healthcare, financial services, defense) where compliance DD is critical
- Technology acquisitions where cybersecurity due diligence is essential
- Buyers with private equity backing or institutional investors who expect Kroll-level diligence
- Complex, multi-entity or cross-border acquisitions that require global capabilities
- Deals where an independent valuation or fairness opinion is needed alongside the QoE
How GoSBA Loans Works With Due Diligence Firms Like Kroll
At GoSBA Loans, we’ve facilitated over $320 million in SBA-financed acquisitions across our network of 50+ lenders. We’ve worked alongside due diligence firms of every size — from boutique QoE shops to global firms like Kroll — and we know what lenders need to see.
Why Premium Due Diligence Pays for Itself
Many SBA buyers view due diligence as a cost to minimize. In our experience, it’s an investment that pays for itself many times over:
- Purchase price adjustments: QoE findings frequently result in purchase price reductions that far exceed the DD cost
- Deal-killing red flags: Walking away from a bad deal saves you everything — your equity, your time, and years of stress
- Loan approval speed: A thorough, well-prepared QoE from a reputable firm speeds up SBA underwriting significantly
- Better loan terms: When lenders are confident in the financials, they’re more likely to offer favorable terms
What GoSBA Provides — At Zero Cost
GoSBA Loans is completely free for borrowers. Our lender network compensates us, so you pay nothing. Here’s what’s included:
- 50+ lender network — access to conventional and SBA lenders nationwide
- Free professional business plan — a $2,500–$5,000 value, SBA-ready
- Free financial projections — custom-built for your acquisition
- End-to-end deal support — from LOI through closing day
Final Verdict on Kroll
Kroll is the undisputed heavyweight of the due diligence world. Their financial advisory, valuation, cybersecurity, and risk capabilities are second to none. For larger, complex SBA acquisitions — especially in regulated industries or deals involving technology assets — Kroll brings a level of thoroughness and credibility that’s hard to match.
However, for smaller, straightforward SBA acquisitions, the cost and engagement dynamics may not be ideal. SBA buyers should honestly assess whether their deal complexity warrants Kroll’s premium, or whether a boutique firm that specializes in SMB acquisitions would be a better fit.
Rating: 4.4/5 — World-class capabilities, best suited for larger or more complex SBA acquisitions.
Ready to Start Your SBA Acquisition?
GoSBA Loans helps entrepreneurs acquire businesses with SBA financing every day — and our services are completely free. Whether your deal is $500K or $5M+, we’ll match you with the right lender and support you through closing.
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