shepi DIY vs. shepi DFY vs. Traditional CPA Firm
Published May 2026
There are now three real ways to get a QoE. They serve different deal sizes, budgets, and risk profiles.
Quality of Earnings analysis used to be a binary choice: do it yourself in Excel, or hire a CPA firm. shepi added a software option, and now a Done-For-You tier where a matched, licensed CPA signs the deliverable. Here's how the three stack up.
Overview
Quality of Earnings work spans a spectrum — from a buyer kicking the tires pre-LOI to a lender-mandated, firm-attested report on a $50M deal. The right tool depends on where your deal sits on that spectrum.
The Three Options
shepi DIY — $2,000 / project
Self-serve software. You upload data, the platform structures the workflow, you apply judgment and produce the workbook. 2–4 hours of your time.
shepi DFY — $5,000 / project
A licensed CPA from the shepi Network is matched to your deal in 1–2 business days, prepares the QoE end-to-end on our software, and signs the deliverable in their professional capacity.
Traditional CPA Firm — $20,000+
Full engagement with an accounting firm. Includes management interviews, independent verification, firm letterhead, and firm-level E&O. 4+ weeks from kickoff.
Side-by-Side
| Factor | shepi DIY | shepi DFY | Traditional CPA Firm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per project | $2,000 | $5,000 | $20,000+ |
| Timeline | 2–4 hours of work | 48–72 hours from match | 4+ weeks |
| Professional attestation | No | Yes (CPA-signed) | Yes |
| Liability coverage | No | CPA's professional standing and own E&O | Yes (firm's E&O) |
| Lender acceptance | Varies | Generally accepted with CPA signature | Generally accepted |
| Management interviews | Not included | Not included by default; available as upgrade | Included |
| Who does the work | You | Matched licensed CPA, on shepi software | Firm staff |
| Deliverable letterhead | Your branding | CPA letterhead | Firm letterhead |
Speed & Timeline
DIY is the fastest path to some answer — a few hours of your own work. DFY trades a couple of days for a CPA-signed deliverable: 1–2 business days to get matched, then 48–72 hours once the CPA has what they need. A traditional firm engagement runs 4+ weeks from kickoff and often longer in busy season, which can put deals at risk in competitive auctions.
When to Use Each Approach
DIY for screening pre-LOI
You're deciding whether to pursue a deal and need fast directional analysis you control end-to-end.
DIY for analysts who do this often
You have the chops and just want better tooling than Excel templates.
DFY for SBA and most lender financing
You need a CPA's name on the report but the deal economics don't justify a $20K+ firm engagement.
DFY for searchers and brokers
Closing a deal and want a real CPA's professional accountability without the four-week wait.
Traditional firm for $10M+ EV deals
A $20K–$50K QoE is immaterial relative to deal size, and you want full management interviews and independent verification.
Traditional firm for regulatory or board mandates
Specific firm requirements, complex accounting issues, litigation exposure, or board/investor mandates.