WETYR publishes operator-grade M&A and acquisition research. Every published page is reviewed by the WETYR Research Team against a documented editorial standard: data sourced from primary providers, multiples cross-referenced against three independent transaction databases, every factual claim cited or marked as estimate, and corrections published transparently with timestamps. This page documents that process.
What WETYR Publishes
WETYR publishes three classes of content: (1) original research — quarterly multiples reports, the annual Operating Insights Report, and proprietary engagement data drawn from active sell-side, buy-side, and operator-buyer transactions; (2) operator-grade reference content — niche thesis pages, exit guides, glossary entries, and how-to playbooks built from the WETYR engagement playbook; and (3) comparative analysis — honest competitor comparisons, partner referrals when WETYR is not the right fit, and market intelligence.
Data Sources
WETYR's quantitative content draws from: WETYR's own active pipeline (sell-side mandates, buy-side underwrites, direct operator-buyer transactions across 72 niches), GF Data quarterly reports, PitchBook private-company transaction database, IBBA Market Pulse, BVR DealStats, U.S. Census Economic Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics industry data, SBA loan data, and SEC EDGAR filings of major aggregators in each niche. Every quantitative claim is verifiable against one of these sources.
How We Cite
Every page links to primary sources where claims warrant verification. The Authoritative Sources block at the bottom of each page lists U.S. SBA, SEC EDGAR, IRS, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census, Federal Reserve, AICPA, FINRA, NACVA, USPAP, Investopedia, and Harvard Business Review as the standing references our advisors consult.
Author Attribution
All WETYR content is published under the byline of the WETYR Research Team, the editorial and analyst group operating under WETYR. Individual contributor names are not displayed on programmatic pages to maintain consistent voice across the 47,000+ page footprint, but the editorial review process is consistent: every published page is reviewed against the standards on this page.
Disclosures & Conflicts
WETYR is both an advisor and an operator-buyer. We disclose this on every comparison page, every direct-sale page, and every page where the dual role is material to the reader's decision. When we recommend a specialist partner (CPA practice broker, healthcare M&A specialist, software M&A specialist) in lieu of our own services, we say so plainly. The specialist partner network is public.
Corrections Policy
When WETYR publishes incorrect information, we correct the page, add a dated correction notice at the top of the affected page, and where the error affected reader decisions, publish the correction on the corrections page. We do not silently edit out errors.
Update Cadence
Quarterly multiples reports update every quarter. The annual Operating Insights Report updates annually. Per-niche thesis pages, exit guides, and glossary entries are reviewed at least quarterly and updated whenever underlying transaction multiples shift meaningfully. The dateModified field on every page reflects the actual last edit date.
Compliance Posture
WETYR is not a licensed business broker, registered broker-dealer, FINRA member, SEC-registered investment adviser, attorney, or CPA. Information on this site is for general informational purposes and is not legal, tax, accounting, or investment advice. Transactions involving real property or securities require appropriately licensed professionals and WETYR coordinates with the appropriate counsel and licensed intermediaries on every transaction. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Questions About Our Editorial Standards?
Authoritative Sources & Further Reading
WETYR works alongside primary sources, regulators, and industry data providers when advising owners and operators. The references below are the same sources our advisory team uses when modeling deals, benchmarking multiples, and stress-testing assumptions. We encourage every owner, buyer, and operator to verify any data point that materially affects their decision against the underlying primary source.
Primary Federal Sources
- U.S. SBA — 7(a) Loan Program for acquisition financing eligibility, terms, and lender list.
- SEC EDGAR for public-company comparables, 10-K disclosures, and recent strategic acquirer filings.
- IRS — Sale of a Business on Section 1060 asset-allocation reporting and tax treatment of asset vs stock sales.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Industries at a Glance for wage, employment, and growth data by NAICS code.
- U.S. Census Economic Census for industry size, firm counts, and revenue distributions.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data for prevailing rate environment underwriting.
Standards & Reference Bodies
- AICPA for Quality of Earnings methodology and CPA standards governing transaction-related financial work.
- FINRA Rules and Guidance for understanding when a transaction crosses into broker-dealer territory.
- NACVA business valuation credentialing body and standards (CVA designation).
- USPAP — Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice for valuation engagement standards.
- Investopedia — EBITDA reference page for definitional alignment with our glossary.
- Harvard Business Review — Mergers and Acquisitions archive on integration and post-close value creation.
For deeper transaction-specific data, the GF Data and PitchBook private-company transaction databases publish quarterly multiple ranges by industry size band that we cross-reference against our own pipeline benchmarks. Owners considering a sale should also review the Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Report (free, annual) for current cost-of-capital and lender appetite data across the lower middle market. Buyers underwriting search-fund or holdco theses commonly pair Stanford GSB's Search Fund Study with the IBBA Market Pulse report, which tracks multiples for sub-$50M transactions quarterly. None of these sources replace deal-specific advisory, but they give owners and operators the same reference points professional acquirers are using on the other side of the table.
Related WETYR Resources
Every WETYR resource ladders into a structured engagement framework. Whether you are diagnosing readiness, modeling a number, or preparing for a specific transaction phase, the resources below cover the most common owner and operator workflows. All tools are free; all guides are operator-written; all engagements start with a confidential conversation.
Engagement Pillars
Decision Tools
Operator-Written
Glossary & FAQ
Checklists & Templates
Niche Coverage
If you are not sure where to start, the Exit Readiness Score takes about four minutes and produces a one-page diagnostic on the value drivers most likely to compress your multiple. From there the natural next step is either a long-form guide covering your specific situation, a focused glossary term lookup, or a confidential introductory call with our team to discuss whether WETYR's advisory or operator-buyer engagement is a fit. Our team responds to every inbound inquiry within one business day.