A QoE your credit committee and SBA reviewers can follow in minutes
Engaged by and addressed to the lender. Built exhibit-for-exhibit to SOP 50 10 8.1, with a compliance cross-reference page so every required element is easy to find.
Request an engagement letter Vendor panel packetReply within one business day · Fixed fee in writing · No obligation
What the SOP requires, and how we deliver it
| SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 15 | StrategX exhibit |
|---|---|
| Reconcile accountant-prepared statements, tax returns, internal statements and IRS transcript data to normalized, arm's-length earnings | Exhibit B: four-source tie-out |
| Cash Proof, trailing 12 months and last two fiscal years | Exhibit C: bank to P&L to return, by period |
| Identify and document all add-backs and adjustments | Exhibit D: add-back matrix |
| Assess revenue quality, concentration and contract continuity | Exhibit E: revenue durability |
| Lender uses QoE earnings for DSC | Exhibit A: "QoE Adjusted Earnings for DSC" and sensitivity |
Verified against SBA SOP 50 10 8.1 (effective Oct. 1, 2026) in November 2026. Read the guide.
Built around your timeline
- Engagement letter in one business day. Tri-party letter: lender is client and addressee, borrower authorizes payment. Under PLP, the SOP requires the QoE to be formally engaged when the loan number issues, and this gets you there.
- Request list the same day. Tailored to the deal, including the 4506-C transcripts you obtain.
- Week-one issues list. Material findings go to you and the buyer early, not in the final report.
- Final report in 10 business days from complete data and the first management interview. Seven-day express available.
- Two rounds of credit Q&A included.
Lender services and fees
| Service | Business purchase price | Fixed fee | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 8.1 Lender QoE | $3M to $5M | $14,500 | 10 business days |
| SBA 8.1 Lender QoE | $5M to $10M | $19,500 | 10 business days |
| SBA 8.1 Lender QoE | $10M to $15M | from $26,500 | scoped |
| Lender-requested QoE (below the SOP threshold) | under $3M | $11,500 | 10 business days |
| QoE Review of a buyer-commissioned report | $3M+ | $5,500 $7,500 over $10M | 5 business days |
Out-of-pocket diligence costs may be passed to the borrower, and funds the applicant spends on the report can count toward the equity injection (SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 15). Fees are fixed, non-contingent, and owed whether or not the loan closes. Full fee schedule and add-ons.
QoE Review: accept the buyer's report without making them pay twice
The SOP lets lenders have a buyer-commissioned QoE reviewed by one of their approved vendors, and says a lender may not rely on another party's QoE without that review. The review findings go in the loan file with the original report.
Our review memo tests the buyer's report against each SOP element, re-performs the cash proof on a sample basis from source bank statements, evaluates add-back support, and concludes whether the report can be relied on or what supplemental procedures are needed.
SBA SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 15. A report prepared by or for the seller never qualifies.
Lender FAQ
Does SOP 50 10 8.1 require a QoE on every acquisition loan?
No. It applies to 7(a) Initial Acquisitions and Business Expansions where the business purchase price is $3 million or more, measured before buyer equity, seller debt, or other financing, and excluding owner-occupied real estate. Owner Buyouts and ESOP/cooperative deals are exempt.
Who can prepare the QoE?
An independent qualified financial professional, engaged for the benefit of the lender. The report must not be prepared by or for the seller. StrategX reports are signed by a CPA under a written independence policy.
When does the QoE need to be engaged under PLP?
It may be completed after the SBA loan number issues and before closing, but it must be formally engaged, with a vendor retained and an engagement letter in place, when the loan number issues. We sign engagement letters within one business day.
Can we use the buyer's own QoE?
Only after one of your approved vendors reviews it, with the review findings filed alongside the original report. Our QoE Review costs $5,500 ($7,500 over $10M) and takes five business days.
What periods does the cash proof cover?
The trailing 12 months and the last two fiscal years, reconciling bank statement data to the income statement and tax return. For businesses operating less than two years, the scope is reduced accordingly.
Who pays for the QoE?
Out-of-pocket diligence costs may be passed to the borrower, and funds the applicant spends on the report can count toward the equity injection. Our fee is fixed and owed whether or not the loan closes.
Vendor panel packet
Everything your vendor-management team needs to add StrategX to an approved list, in one request.
Credentials & insurance
W-9, professional liability (E&O) certificate, CPA license verification, CEPA and CGMA credentials.
Quality & independence
Written independence policy, conflict-check procedure, and the independence representation included in every report.
Work product
Redacted sample report and databook, borrower request list, engagement letter template, fee schedule and turnaround SLA.
Have a deal in the pipeline?
Send the borrower name, business purchase price, and PLP or non-PLP status. You'll have a signed engagement letter within one business day.