{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ma-advisor","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/ma-advisor","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"ma-advisor","term":"M&A advisor","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A broker for larger deals, typically $1M+ in value. Runs a structured process with multiple buyers and deeper financial packaging.","what_it_means":"M&A advisors handle larger, more complex transactions and typically run a competitive auction process with multiple buyers rather than listing on a public marketplace. They prepare more sophisticated financial packages, engage strategic buyers and financial sponsors, and may negotiate higher multiples for sellers. On DealRoom, advisors manage the buyer progression process — from Deal Book release to buyer verification — instead of email and shared drives.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ma-advisor","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"business-broker","term":"Business broker","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-broker"},{"slug":"cim-deal-book","term":"CIM","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/cim-deal-book"},{"slug":"nda-buyer-verification","term":"NDA","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/nda-buyer-verification"},{"slug":"proof-of-funds","term":"Proof of funds","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/proof-of-funds"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What is the primary role of my business broker or M&A advisor in the SBA 7(a) loan process?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-is-the-primary-role-of-my-business-broker-or-m-a-advisor-in-the-sba-7-a-loan-process"},{"question":"What if the business I'm acquiring has *negative goodwill*?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-if-the-business-i-m-acquiring-has-negative-goodwill"},{"question":"How is the equity injection requirement affected if I'm purchasing a franchise?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-is-the-equity-injection-requirement-affected-if-i-m-purchasing-a-franchise"},{"question":"What if the business I'm acquiring is currently experiencing declining revenues?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-if-the-business-i-m-acquiring-is-currently-experiencing-declining-revenues"},{"question":"What if the business I'm acquiring operates across multiple distinct industries?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-if-the-business-i-m-acquiring-operates-across-multiple-distinct-industries"},{"question":"What if the business I'm buying has a significant amount of accounts receivable?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-if-the-business-i-m-buying-has-a-significant-amount-of-accounts-receivable"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — M&A advisor","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ma-advisor","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}