Avant Advisory Group Research
Advisory Approach
Avant Advisory Group is a premier operationally focused financial advisory and management consulting firm founded in 1997 and based in Newport Beach, California. The firm serves middle-market companies with enterprise values typically between $10M and $250M, operating from a thesis that successful M&A outcomes require deep operational expertise combined with meticulous financial analysis. Led by founder and President James F. Davidson (a certified public accountant with numerous designations including CEPA, CM&AA, CM&AP, CIRA, CTP, CFF, CFE, CGMA, and CBA), Avant brings distinctive credibility through founding professionals who are themselves former CFOs, CEOs, and Big Four firm partners. The firm explicitly positions itself as "Christian-based" and operates with a commitment to serving clients "with the highest honor and integrity."
Avant's thesis emphasizes that strong transaction outcomes are not created during buyer due diligence—they are built through early preparation, financial transparency, and disciplined sell-side diligence. This philosophy differentiates Avant from transactional advisors focused solely on deal mechanics. The firm has published extensively on quality of earnings, EBITDA add-backs, sell-side due diligence preparation, and financial restructuring, demonstrating thought leadership in the M&A advisory space.
Sector Focus and Deal Track Record
Avant Advisory Group has demonstrated particular depth in three primary sectors: (1) Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (ACE), (2) Food & Beverage / Consumer Goods, and (3) Healthcare Services. The firm's Axial profile confirms 8 closed transactions since 2011. Recent and notable transactions include:
Construction/ACE Focus:
- Nor Cal Roofing → Patton Developments, Inc (July 2022) — an acquisition in the roofing and construction services sector, demonstrating expertise in specialty construction trades
- Reborn Home Solutions (formerly Reborn Cabinets) → Renovo Home Partners (July-August 2022) — exclusive sell-side advisory on the sale of a national home improvement/cabinet refacing company to a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity. This was a multi-year engagement where Avant coached management on transaction readiness, financial transparency, and buyer positioning
- West Coast Glazing, Inc. → Buyer TBD (May 2020) — architectural glazing systems, another ACE vertical
Food & Beverage / Consumer Goods:
- Elite Global Solutions → CFS Brands (October 2022) — served as exclusive M&A advisor to a consumer goods/food manufacturing company in its acquisition by CFS Brands, a portfolio company of The Jordan Company. Handled quality of earnings and buyer presentation strategy
- Fit Eats, Inc. → Delicious International LLC (January 2019) — food and beverage retail acquisition
Healthcare Services:
- Healthcare services company acquisition (March 2023, seller and buyer confidential)
Additional Transactions:
- Transportation/equipment rental sector transaction (August 2020)
- MarkSYS, LLC → Endurance Square, LLC (August 2018) — business support/printing services
The firm's 8 closed transactions demonstrate breadth across construction, food/beverage, healthcare, and business services sectors, with particular confidence in the ACE vertical where 3 of 8 transactions have originated.
Buyer Network and Strategic Positioning
Avant's recent transactions reveal relationships with sophisticated financial buyers. Verified acquirers in recent transactions include Audax Private Equity (Reborn Home Partners), The Jordan Company (CFS Brands), and numerous strategic buyers. The firm has publicly positioned itself as well-versed in PE dynamics, having published research on exit planning, EBITDA normalization, and the role of equity stakes in advisor retention post-transaction.
Advisory Profile
Sweet Spot: Operationally complex manufacturing and service businesses in the $10M-$100M TEV range, where management teams benefit from pre-transaction coaching on financial clarity, add-back defensibility, and process readiness. Ideal client is a founder-owner or family business seeking a disciplined, institutional-quality sell-side process.
Thesis: Transaction success is determined during preparation, not at the buyer's desk. Early engagement to clarify financial statements, normalize EBITDA, manage quality of earnings, and coach management results in cleaner buyer diligence, fewer surprises, and better outcomes.
Process: Sell-side advisory engagements typically span 6-12 months and include comprehensive sell-side due diligence, management presentation coaching, EBITDA normalization strategy, buyer targeting (200-400 target buyers typical for LMM firms), data room preparation, and quality of earnings support through close.
Competitive Positioning: Avant differentiates through founder/leadership credentials (all MDs are former C-suite or Big Four partners), operational experience (not pure bankers), and published thought leadership on financial diligence and transaction readiness. The firm's emphasis on early preparation and financial clarity appeals to sellers who prioritize smooth transactions over aggressive timeline compression.
Not a Fit If: Sellers pursuing aggressive/limited processes, businesses with significant pending litigation or undisclosed contingencies, or situations requiring foreign market expertise. The firm's strength is domestic US middle-market advisory.
Team
James F. Davidson — Founder, President, Managing Director. CPA, CM&AA, CM&AP, CEPA, CIRA, CTP, CFF, CFE, CGMA, FCPA, CD, CBA. 20+ years in advisory. Core focus on M&A transaction advisory, quality of earnings, and financial restructuring. Recognized as "Icon" in ABF Journal's 2025 Legends/Leaders issue.
John J. DeMartino — Managing Director - East Coast operations. CPA, CGMA, FINOP. Senior consultant on multi-family transactions.
James A. Hughes — Senior Consultant. CPA, CFE. Los Angeles-based, focused on quality of earnings and forensic analysis on transactions.
Virginia Suveiu, Esq. — Managing Director - Strategic Risk Advisory Services (joined February 2026). 20+ years in regulatory compliance, enterprise risk management, corporate governance. FINRA arbitrator, AAA arbitrator.
Steven M. Ramsey — Senior Consultant. Specialist in transaction execution and deal mechanics.
Additional team members cited in transaction work: Egle Tamosiunaite, Terry Mercer, Rod Burris (CPA, CGMA, inactive status).
Geographic Coverage and Infrastructure
Headquarters: Newport Beach, California (4000 MacArthur Blvd, East Tower, Suite 600). Secondary office: Los Angeles, California (355 S. Grand Ave, Suite 2450). 11-50 person firm (per LinkedIn) with estimated 180+ total professionals across the broader Avant firm ecosystem (post-merger with Centurion 7 in Sept 2025, Analysis Team in Jan 2023).
Specialties Beyond M&A
While M&A transaction advisory is the core practice, Avant also offers forensic and fraud investigations, distressed turnarounds and financial restructuring, interim CFO/CRO/C-suite management, dispute resolution and expert witness services, and performance improvement consulting. This complementary expertise allows the firm to serve distressed sellers or complex situations where traditional investment banking is insufficient.
Recent Growth and Recognition
The firm has experienced notable expansion through strategic mergers (Analysis Team in Jan 2023, Centurion 7 in Sept 2025). Founder James F. Davidson earned his CEPA (Certified Exit Planning Advisor) designation in December 2025. The firm was recognized as a Top 10 Corporate Advisory Services Provider in 2023 by Financial Services Review and maintains active thought leadership through published articles, video content, and speaking engagements on M&A, quality of earnings, and financial restructuring.
Total Transactions: 8 confirmed closed transactions via Axial since 2011 (member since 2011).