Transaction Advisory
The architecture, engineering, and construction industry is consolidating at a pace that rewards speed, precision, and sector-specific intelligence. Stambaugh Ness and Zweig Group together represent the only fully integrated advisory platform purpose-built for AEC M&A — combining transaction advisory, industry data, talent benchmarking, operational consulting, and financial assurance under one roof. We don’t just advise on AEC transactions. We understand how AEC firms create value from the inside.
What Makes SN Different
- The only AEC-focused Transaction Advisory practice with access to comprehensive benchmarking data: 3M+ annual data points across compensation, financial performance, and employee engagement from thousands of AEC firms through our strategic alliance with Zweig Group.
- Direct access to Zweig’s M&A research practice, Hot Firm List Intelligence, and industry network of 270,000+ AEC professionals.
- Deep FAR audit and compliance expertise from 850+ AEC accounting clients.
- A Platform model, not a transaction model: our advisory doesn’t end at close.
Value Creation Across the M&A Lifecycle
- Before a Transaction: We help buyers refine acquisition strategy, conduct market research, assess targets, and evaluate risk with AEC-specific diligence and modeling.
- During a Transaction: We provide financial, tax, operational, HR, and regulatory insight that supports confident deal structuring and negotiation.
- After a Transaction: We support integration, performance improvement, system harmonization, workforce alignment, and long-term value creation to ensure acquisitions deliver expected returns.
Strategic Buyers
Helping Strategic Acquirers Expand with Confidence
For strategic buyers looking to expand their market presence, we help assess Fit, Financials, and Future potential while identifying operational risks that may impact value.
We understand that your primary goals often include cultural alignment, geographic expansion, and service line growth.
In support of buy-side M&A Advisory services — which include everything from target sourcing, valuation, deal structure, term sheet/LOI, due diligence, and cultural assessment — we offer strategic buyers these services:
- Pre-acquisition valuation and financial modeling
- Quality of Earnings and Backlog Analysis
- Cultural and compensation alignment review
- Regulatory and compliance evaluation
- Financial, Tax, HR, and IT due diligence
- ERP and accounting system review, especially on Deltek Ajera or Vantagepoint
- State and local tax advisory
- Professional licensing advisory
- Tax structure planning
- Integration roadmap development
- Post-transaction performance improvement
Platform Firms
Scalable Infrastructure to Accelerate Acquisition Growth
Platform firms scaling through strategic acquisitions require repeatable processes, operational discipline, and scalable systems. We help build infrastructure that supports growth while protecting margins and culture.
In support of buy-side M&A Advisory services — which includes everything from target sourcing, valuation, deal structure, term sheet/LOI, due diligence, and cultural assessment — we offer AEC platforms these services:
- Financial, Tax, HR, and IT due diligence
- Post-merger integration planning and execution
- Deltek Ajera or Vantagepoint ERP implementation and consolidation
- Data migration and reporting standardization
- FAR overhead rate analysis and compliance
- State and local tax advisory
- Professional licensing advisory
- Strategic compensation alignment
- Technology and cybersecurity assessments
- Back-office optimization and shared services strategy
- Post-close financial reporting enhancements
Private Equity Firms
AEC-Focused Diligence & Value Creation for Investors
Private equity firms entering or expanding within the AEC sector require an advisor who understands project-based revenue models, FAR compliance, Deltek environments, and the operational drivers of EBITDA in engineering and design firms. We support sponsors across the investment lifecycle, from platform identification to exit preparation.
How we support PE investors:
- Project-based revenue and WIP risk analysis
- 100-day integration planning
- Working capital and margin optimization
- KPI standardization across portfolio companies
- Acquisition target financial diligence, including Quality of Earnings
- Debt capacity and cash flow forecasting
- Deal structuring and tax modeling
- ERP evaluation and post-acquisition system harmonization, with expertise in Deltek Vantagepoint
- Compensation benchmarking and incentive alignment
- Exit readiness, audit preparation, and sell-side preparation
Helping Strategic Acquirers Expand with Confidence
For strategic buyers looking to expand their market presence, we help assess Fit, Financials, and Future potential while identifying operational risks that may impact value.
We understand that your primary goals often include cultural alignment, geographic expansion, and service line growth.
In support of buy-side M&A Advisory services — which include everything from target sourcing, valuation, deal structure, term sheet/LOI, due diligence, and cultural assessment — we offer strategic buyers these services:
- Pre-acquisition valuation and financial modeling
- Quality of Earnings and Backlog Analysis
- Cultural and compensation alignment review
- Regulatory and compliance evaluation
- Financial, Tax, HR, and IT due diligence
- ERP and accounting system review, especially on Deltek Ajera or Vantagepoint
- State and local tax advisory
- Professional licensing advisory
- Tax structure planning
- Integration roadmap development
- Post-transaction performance improvement
Scalable Infrastructure to Accelerate Acquisition Growth
Platform firms scaling through strategic acquisitions require repeatable processes, operational discipline, and scalable systems. We help build infrastructure that supports growth while protecting margins and culture.
In support of buy-side M&A Advisory services — which includes everything from target sourcing, valuation, deal structure, term sheet/LOI, due diligence, and cultural assessment — we offer AEC platforms these services:
- Financial, Tax, HR, and IT due diligence
- Post-merger integration planning and execution
- Deltek Ajera or Vantagepoint ERP implementation and consolidation
- Data migration and reporting standardization
- FAR overhead rate analysis and compliance
- State and local tax advisory
- Professional licensing advisory
- Strategic compensation alignment
- Technology and cybersecurity assessments
- Back-office optimization and shared services strategy
- Post-close financial reporting enhancements
AEC-Focused Diligence & Value Creation for Investors
Private equity firms entering or expanding within the AEC sector require an advisor who understands project-based revenue models, FAR compliance, Deltek environments, and the operational drivers of EBITDA in engineering and design firms. We support sponsors across the investment lifecycle, from platform identification to exit preparation.
How we support PE investors:
- Project-based revenue and WIP risk analysis
- 100-day integration planning
- Working capital and margin optimization
- KPI standardization across portfolio companies
- Acquisition target financial diligence, including Quality of Earnings
- Debt capacity and cash flow forecasting
- Deal structuring and tax modeling
- ERP evaluation and post-acquisition system harmonization, with expertise in Deltek Vantagepoint
- Compensation benchmarking and incentive alignment
- Exit readiness, audit preparation, and sell-side preparation
Ready to Accelerate Your Growth?
Join the AEC leaders who are transforming their business with our data-driven growth M&A strategies.
Featured Blog
Buy-Side: Why Clarity Eats Capital in AEC M&A
Tom Godin, Zweig Group
In a competitive market, having capital isn’t enough. This piece explores why specialized data and market intelligence are the true competitive advantages for modern AEC buyers.
Featured Webinar
How Today’s Trends Set the Stage for Tomorrow’s Deals
Front-line insights on capital flow, cultural alignment, leadership continuity, and valuation trends, drawn directly from active deal experience and the AEC M&A Outlook Report.
Featured Publication
2025 AEC M&A Outlook Report
Stambaugh Ness + Zweig Group
Benchmark data from last year’s deals, valuation multiples, transaction volume, and buyer sentiment remain the most comprehensive and current available.
Transactions move fast.
Let’s talk before you’re in the room.
Whether you’re evaluating a target, preparing to go to market, or trying to understand what your firm is actually worth, the earlier we’re involved, the better the outcome.