GA Group's Strategic Play: Completing its M&A Arsenal with New QoE Practice

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA – June 23, 2026 – In a move that signals a deeper strategic alignment with the intricate demands of the modern deal-making landscape, GA Advisory & Valuation Services today announced the launch of a dedicated Financial Due Diligence practice. The new division, focused on Quality of Earnings (QoE) analysis, represents the final piece in the firm's integrated M&A advisory puzzle. To lead the charge, the company has tapped veteran M&A advisor Ryan Irby as Managing Director and National Practice Leader.

This isn't merely an expansion; it's a calculated response to a market where financial scrutiny is paramount. GA Group, a subsidiary of Great American Holdings and majority-owned by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, is betting that a comprehensive, in-house suite of services is the key to navigating an M&A environment characterized by soaring deal values and unprecedented complexity.

The New M&A Imperative: Quality of Earnings

As the M&A market rebounds with global deal value projected to approach $4 trillion in 2026, the nature of due diligence is fundamentally changing. The era of simply checking the boxes on a financial audit is over. Today's imperative is a deep, forensic dive into the sustainability and accuracy of a company's reported earnings—the very definition of a QoE analysis.

Industry data underscores this shift. With 73% of deal professionals anticipating that due diligence will only become more complicated, the need for specialized expertise has never been greater. QoE reports have become the bedrock of modern M&A, serving as a crucial tool for validating a seller's claims and mitigating a buyer's risk. Research shows that robust diligence can uncover valuation swings of 15-25%, a critical margin in high-stakes transactions. In a market where megadeals north of $5 billion are increasingly common, such analysis is not a luxury but a necessity.

"The complexity of transactions demands a level of financial clarity that goes far beyond a standard balance sheet review," noted one private equity analyst. "QoE is the insurance policy. It's how you uncover the one-time revenue boosts, aggressive accounting assumptions, or hidden liabilities that can turn a great deal into a post-acquisition nightmare."

Completing the "Core 4" Arsenal

The launch of the QoE practice is the capstone for GA Group's financial advisory strategy. The firm now offers what it calls its "Core 4" services: Valuation, Transaction Opinions, CFO Advisory, and Financial Due Diligence. This positions the company as a one-stop shop for clients navigating the M&A lifecycle, an operational innovation designed to streamline a notoriously fragmented process.

By integrating these four pillars, GA Group can offer a seamless flow of intelligence. A QoE analysis provides a defensible, normalized EBITDA that directly strengthens a valuation. That valuation, in turn, provides the foundation for a transaction opinion delivered to a board, while the findings from the diligence process inform the strategic guidance offered by the CFO advisory team for post-deal integration.

"Ryan's depth of experience and proven leadership in transaction advisory services make him the ideal person to build and lead our QoE practice," said Curt Germany, Senior Managing Director and National Practice Leader for GA Group Financial Advisory Services. "His addition represents a major milestone in completing our full suite of financial advisory services and strengthens our ability to support clients across every stage of the M&A lifecycle."

This strategic build-out is also characteristic of the influence of its majority owner, Oaktree Capital Management. Private equity firms are known for driving value in their portfolio companies by identifying and capitalizing on market opportunities. Bolstering GA Group's advisory capabilities to capture a larger share of the high-demand M&A services market is a classic value-creation play.

The "Acqui-Hire" of Expertise: The Ryan Irby Factor

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the announcement is the appointment of Ryan Irby. In the world of specialized professional services, acquiring top-tier talent is often more critical than acquiring a company. Irby's recruitment is a testament to this principle. With over 13 years of experience and a track record of advising on more than 400 transactions, Irby brings immediate credibility and deep institutional knowledge to the new practice.

His background includes senior roles at major firms like PwC and EY, as well as leadership positions where he built and led due diligence practices from the ground up, most recently at Traders Oak Capital Advisors. This experience is invaluable; GA Group is not just launching a service but embedding a proven leader with a playbook for success. Irby's expertise spans a wide array of industries, from healthcare and energy to technology and manufacturing, giving the practice the versatility to serve GA Group's diverse client base.

"Hiring a practice leader of this caliber is an offensive move," commented a competitor in the advisory space. "You're not just offering a new service; you're signaling to the market that you intend to lead in that category from day one. It shows a commitment to quality that clients, especially private equity funds, look for."

Navigating a Complex Deal Landscape

Ultimately, GA Group's move is a direct response to the evolving needs of its clients. In a deal environment fraught with economic uncertainty, rising regulatory hurdles, and the disruptive force of AI, buyers and sellers require a trusted advisor who can provide a holistic view of a transaction. For buyers, the integrated "Core 4" model promises to de-risk acquisitions and prevent overpayment. For sellers, engaging a firm with in-house sell-side QoE capabilities can streamline the sale process, increase credibility with potential buyers, and ultimately maximize enterprise value.

By combining asset valuation, liquidation services, and now a complete suite of M&A financial advisory under one roof, GA Group is creating a powerful, synergistic platform. The firm is betting that in the high-stakes game of mergers and acquisitions, the companies that provide the most comprehensive intelligence and operational clarity will be the ones to win.