Glossary · Reading the business
In short
These are financial statements compiled, reviewed, or audited by a Certified Public Accountant. Lenders require these to verify the historical financial performance of the business, which is critical for underwriting the loan.
For larger 7(a) loans, lenders often require CPA-prepared financial statements for the past three fiscal years, potentially including an audit or review. These provide a higher level of assurance than internally prepared statements. Scrutinize these during due diligence to confirm the business's profitability and cash flow.
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
Last checked 2026-06-15. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Defined by DealRoom.so SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
Pressure-test the numbers before you make an offer
Send us the asking price and the seller's cash flow — we'll show whether the deal services SBA debt and where the add-backs are likely to hold up.
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