Every factual claim on WETYR is verified against a primary source before publication. Multiples cross-checked against three databases. Industry data tied to U.S. Census, BLS, or SEC filings. Tax-related claims tied to IRS guidance. We do not publish unverified claims and we publicly correct mistakes when they occur.
Claim Categories
WETYR pages contain four types of claims: (1) quantitative facts (multiples, margins, deal sizes) — verified against at least two independent data sources; (2) regulatory facts (tax treatment, licensing, statute citations) — verified against IRS, SBA, SEC, state regulator primary sources; (3) market characterizations (acquirer activity, consolidation patterns, driver narratives) — verified against named acquirer 10-Ks, trade publication coverage, and direct conversations; (4) advisory recommendations (timing, structure, process) — drawn from WETYR engagement experience and disclosed as such.
Verification Standards
A quantitative claim is publishable when three conditions are met: (1) the underlying data exists in at least two independent transaction databases or primary filings; (2) the numbers agree within 20% (or the divergence is explicitly disclosed in the published claim); (3) the time period is current — multiples from prior to the trailing four quarters are flagged as historical context, not current pricing.
Source Requirements
Acceptable primary sources for WETYR fact-checking: U.S. SBA, SEC EDGAR, IRS Pub-cited material, U.S. Census Economic Census, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve Economic Data, AICPA standards, FINRA rules, NACVA standards, USPAP, GF Data quarterly reports, PitchBook private-company data, IBBA Market Pulse, BVR DealStats, named acquirer 10-K filings. Wikipedia is used for context but not as a primary source for quantitative claims.
Pre-Publication Review
Every page passes through the WETYR Research Team review before publication. Reviewers check (1) all quantitative claims against the data sources above, (2) all regulatory claims against current primary regulator language, (3) all named acquirer references for accuracy (companies still active, still in the named niche), and (4) all outbound links for accessibility and relevance.
Reader Reports
If a reader believes a published WETYR page contains an error, contact research@wetyr.com with the page URL and the specific claim. The Research Team responds within five business days with either an acknowledgment + corrected page or an explanation of the source backing the claim.
Correction Protocol
When an error is confirmed, WETYR updates the page, adds a dated correction notice at the top of the page (visible to readers), updates the dateModified field, and publishes the correction on the corrections page. We do not silently edit out errors. See the corrections log for the public record.
See Something Off?
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.