AHQ Council · Nashville: Valuation, Multiples & QofE Reality

​AHQ Council · Nashville

​Valuation, Multiples & QofE Reality

​June 23, 2026

​Valuation isn’t just a multiple, it’s a reflection of risk, clarity, and earnings quality.

​This AHQ Council panel brings together financial, legal, investor, and operator perspectives to unpack what actually drives valuation and multiples in today’s market, and how Quality of Earnings (QofE) impacts both price and deal certainty.

​The discussion features:

• ​A QofE CPA, explaining how earnings are normalized and where buyers get concerned

• ​A private equity partner, sharing what investors pay premiums for and what they discount

• ​A founder with a recent transaction, offering real-world insight into how valuation played out in practice

• ​An M&A attorney moderating and grounding the conversation in structure and risk

​Topics include:

• ​How QofE findings influence price, structure, and negotiations

• ​Common surprises that derail deals late in the process

• ​What founders and buyers should prepare before entering diligence

• ​How valuation expectations shift between theory and reality

​You’ll walk away with:

• ​A clearer understanding of how your business or target acquisition will be evaluated

• ​Insight into the true drivers behind multiples

• ​Practical guidance to reduce risk and protect value

​This session is designed for buyers and founders who want fewer surprises and better outcomes at the closing table.