Glossary · Reading the business
Financial Statement Review
In short
A limited assurance engagement by an accountant that provides some comfort that financial statements are free from material misstatement. It's less thorough than an audit but more detailed than a compilation.
What it means in a deal
Lenders often require reviewed financial statements for the business being acquired, especially for larger loans. This provides a higher level of assurance than tax returns alone, helping the lender and you, the buyer, confirm the accuracy of the business's financial health during due diligence.
Related terms
Common questions about Financial Statement Review
- What if my personal financial statement shows low liquid assets?
- How important is my personal financial statement for an SBA 7(a) loan application?
- What is a 'personal financial statement' and why is it needed for an SBA 7(a) loan?
- What does a 'personal financial statement' entail and why is it needed for an SBA 7(a) loan?
- When is a personal financial statement (SBA Form 413) required for non-owner guarantors of a 7(a) loan?
- What if my personal financial statement shows low liquidity, but I have a strong credit score and business plan?
Defined by CapBench 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.
Free · No documents · Usually same-day
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