Guardian Due Diligence Review: Is This the Right QoE Provider for Your SBA Deal?
When you’re acquiring a small business with an SBA loan, one of the most critical steps in the process is financial due diligence. A Quality of Earnings (QoE) report can mean the difference between buying a profitable business and walking into a financial disaster. Guardian Due Diligence has established itself as one of the most recognized names in the SMB acquisition space, particularly for deals under $5 million.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Guardian Due Diligence — their services, pricing, who they serve, and whether they’re the right fit for your SBA acquisition.
What Is Guardian Due Diligence?
Guardian Due Diligence was founded in 2017 by Elliott Holland, a seasoned deal professional who spent over a decade focused exclusively on acquisitions under $5 million in enterprise value. Before launching Guardian, Elliott spent six years as an independent sponsor, during which he experienced firsthand the frustration of finding competent, cost-effective due diligence providers for smaller deals.
The problem was clear: most CPA firms charge $40,000–$80,000 for a Quality of Earnings report, which is completely impractical for a $2–$5 million deal. Even worse, most firms won’t stop the engagement even if early analysis reveals deal-breaking issues — locking buyers into the full fee regardless of findings.
Guardian was built to solve this problem by providing:
- Market-leading due diligence specifically for SMB and ETA acquisitions
- Flexible scope options that match the deal size
- Expert deal advisory layered on top of financial analysis
- A curated network of vetted CPAs and professionals
Services Offered by Guardian Due Diligence
Guardian offers three main service tiers, each designed for different buyer needs and deal sizes:
QoE Light — $20,000
- Full QoE analysis delivered in Excel format (no PDF report)
- Financial analysis going back to 2021
- Standard QoE scope including trailing twelve-month EBITDA
- Working capital analysis
- Best for buyers who are financially savvy and can interpret raw data
Full QoE — $25,000
- Everything included in QoE Light
- Professional QoE report (PDF format)
- Ideal for SBA lenders and banks who require formal documentation
- Perfect for non-financial experts who need clear, readable analysis
- Format accepted by equity investors
Advised QoE — $40,000
- Everything in the full QoE package
- 10 hours of Elliott Holland’s personal advisory time
- Projection model support
- Business plan support
- Key man risk assessment
- Red flag checklist covering 65+ items
- Best for first-time buyers who want maximum protection
Note: These prices are for deals under $2 million in purchase price. Larger deals carry slightly higher fees.
Who Is Guardian Due Diligence Best For?
Guardian is particularly well-suited for:
- First-time business buyers navigating the SBA acquisition process for the first time
- ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition) entrepreneurs who need institutional-quality diligence at SMB-friendly prices
- Search fund professionals evaluating acquisition targets
- Independent sponsors working on deals under $5 million
- SBA borrowers whose lenders require formal QoE reports
What Sets Guardian Apart
Deep SMB Focus
Unlike large CPA firms that treat small deals as an afterthought, Guardian has spent its entire existence focused on acquisitions under $5 million. This specialization means they understand the unique challenges of smaller deals — owner-operated businesses with messy books, limited financial infrastructure, and sellers who may not be fully transparent.
Speed and Fraud Detection
Guardian claims to find 85% of major deal-breaking issues within just 7 days, compared to the typical 4-week timeline with most CPA firms. This rapid identification of red flags can save buyers tens of thousands in fees on deals that should be walked away from early.
Purchase Price Savings
According to Guardian, their diligence findings help buyers save an average of $100,000+ on purchase price through renegotiation. One testimonial from a buyer named Kishon Clayborne noted that the seller reduced their price by $1.5 million after reviewing Guardian’s QoE and Proof of Cash reports.
Deal Advisory Beyond Numbers
Guardian provides more than just a QoE report. Their services include expert deal advisory for valuations, LOIs, and negotiations with sellers and brokers. This holistic approach is particularly valuable for first-time buyers who need guidance beyond the financial analysis.
Educational Resources
Guardian offers an extensive resource library including:
- Free QoE 101 whitepaper
- Sample Quality of Earnings report downloads
- A Pre-LOI program for buyers still evaluating deals
- Office Hours with Elliott for direct Q&A
- A collection of 12+ public diligence failure case studies
- The Business Buying Masterclass (separate course)
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
No provider is perfect, and there are some considerations before choosing Guardian:
- Premium pricing for smaller deals: At $20,000–$40,000, Guardian’s services represent a significant investment, especially for deals under $2 million. Newer, technology-enabled competitors offer QoE reports starting at $5,000.
- Not the cheapest option: If you’re on a tight budget, there are more affordable QoE providers in the market, though they may not offer the same level of advisory support.
- Best value on larger deals: The economics make more sense for deals in the $3–$5 million range where the QoE cost is a smaller percentage of the total transaction.
What SBA Lenders Think About Guardian QoE Reports
SBA lenders generally require some form of financial due diligence before approving acquisition loans. Guardian’s full QoE report (the $25,000 tier) is specifically formatted for bank and SBA lender review. The report format is also accepted by equity investors, making it versatile for deals with multiple capital sources.
If you’re working with an SBA lender, having a Guardian QoE report in your package signals that you’ve done thorough due diligence — which can help strengthen your loan application and potentially speed up the approval process.
How GoSBA Loans Works Alongside Due Diligence Firms Like Guardian
At GoSBA Loans, we work hand-in-hand with due diligence providers like Guardian to help SBA buyers close deals successfully. Here’s how the partnership typically works:
- We handle the financing: GoSBA works with 50+ SBA lenders to find you the best loan terms for your acquisition. With over $320 million funded, we know what lenders want to see.
- They handle the diligence: Guardian (or your chosen DD firm) digs into the financials to verify the seller’s claims and uncover hidden risks.
- Free business plan: GoSBA provides a complimentary business plan valued at $2,500–$5,000 — which is one of the key documents SBA lenders require. This saves you money that can go toward your due diligence budget.
- Coordinated timeline: We align our loan process with your diligence timeline so nothing falls through the cracks.
The combination of strong financing and thorough due diligence gives you the best chance of closing a successful acquisition.
Final Verdict: Should You Use Guardian Due Diligence?
Guardian Due Diligence is a top-tier choice for SBA acquisition buyers, especially those working on deals in the $2–$5 million range. Elliott Holland’s deep experience in the SMB acquisition space, combined with flexible service tiers and a strong educational platform, makes Guardian a trusted partner for serious buyers.
Choose Guardian if:
- You’re acquiring a business for $2–$5 million
- You want advisory support beyond just a QoE report
- You’re a first-time buyer who values expert guidance
- Your SBA lender requires a formal QoE report
Consider alternatives if:
- Your deal is under $1 million and budget is tight
- You only need a basic QoE without advisory services
- You’re looking for the lowest-cost option available
Ready to Finance Your SBA Acquisition?
While you’re lining up your due diligence, make sure your financing is in order too. GoSBA Loans specializes in SBA acquisition financing with access to 50+ lenders and a complimentary business plan to strengthen your application.
Contact GoSBA Loans today to get pre-qualified and start your acquisition journey with confidence.
