AHQ Council · Austin: Due Diligence Deal Killers

​AHQ Council · Austin

​Due Diligence Deal Killers

​August 26, 2026

​Most deals do not fall apart because of price. They fall apart because of issues uncovered too late.

​This AHQ Council panel is designed to help acquisition entrepreneurs, operators, and investors identify the most common deal killers during due diligence and understand how to spot them early, mitigate risk, or walk away with confidence.

​The conversation brings together a practical, cross functional view of diligence, including:

• ​A QofE CPA explaining financial red flags and earnings quality issues

• ​An M&A attorney outlining legal and structural risks that derail transactions

• ​An integration consultant highlighting operational and people related breakdowns

• ​A buyer serving as moderator, keeping the discussion grounded in real deal decisions

​Topics include:

• ​Financial, legal, and operational red flags buyers overlook

• ​Issues that kill deals outright versus risks that can be managed

• ​How diligence findings impact valuation, structure, and negotiations

• ​What buyers should prioritize when time and resources are limited

​You will walk away with:

• ​A clearer framework for evaluating risk during diligence

• ​Practical insight into when to fix, restructure, or walk away

• ​Greater confidence navigating diligence conversations with advisors and sellers

​This session is built for buyers who want to protect capital, avoid costly mistakes, and close the right deals.