#139 M&A Deal Insights with Holly Moeini

#139 M&A Deal Insights with Holly Moeini

From Alt Funds Network by Mike Schroeder, Skyler Steinke

March 6, 2026 · 50 min · Episode 148

About this episode

Mike Schroeder interviews Holly Moeini about reducing risk and maximizing value in M&A transactions.

Background: Holli Moeini is a CFO, CPA, and M&A advisor who helps buyers and sellers strengthen their companies, reduce risk, and maximize value at every stage of a deal. Description: Mike Schroeder interviews CPA and M&A advisor Holly Moeini about how buyers and sellers can reduce risk and maximize value in transactions. Holli shares her path from audit to CFO and M&A, citing statistics about small business performance, low sale rates, and private equity capital waiting to be deployed. She outlines common myths, emphasizes being “exit ready” early, and explains why balance sheets, GAAP-based accounting, and normalized EBITDA matter more than tax returns. Holli discusses value drivers like leadership depth, recurring revenue, systems, and profitable growth, and explains how AI can improve efficiency and margins. She also describes frequent fraud in small businesses, red flags, and the importance of controls and vigilance. The episode covers private equity interest areas, typical deal structures (rollover equity, seller notes, earnouts), and the need for experienced advisors to avoid costly mistakes.

People in this episode

Hosts: Mike Schroeder, Skyler Steinke

Guest: Holly Moeini

Topics covered

  • M&A
  • risk management
  • value maximization
  • small business performance
  • private equity
  • financial controls

Keywords

  • M&A advisor
  • CFO
  • exit ready
  • normalized EBITDA
  • value drivers
  • fraud
  • deal structures

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CPA, M&A, GAAP, AI, private equity

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