GHJ’s Advisory Services Practice Leader Anant Patel was named Due Diligence Professional of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
LOS ANGELES, CA – GHJ, a national advisory, tax and accounting firm, is proud to announce that its Advisory Services Practice Leader Anant Patel was named Due Diligence Professional of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal in the publication’s second iteration of the M&A Awards. GHJ’s Transaction Advisory Services Practice Leader David Sutton was also recognized as a finalist in the award category.
In partnership with ACG Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Business Journal recognized dealmakers across Southern California for their strategic vision, market influence and overall impact on M&A activity. Recipients were selected for driving growth and business transformation throughout deals.
ABOUT ANANT PATEL
Anant, CPA, CM&AA, has more than 30 years of experience advising buyers, sellers and business owners through complex, high-stakes transactions. His work spans due diligence, transaction advisory, exit planning, deal preparedness and execution, with a focus on helping clients understand risk, make informed decisions and maximize value.
As the leader of GHJ’s national Advisory Services Practice, Anant also oversees a cross-functional team of professionals and services and helps set the strategic direction of the practice.
“The best due diligence is about far more than the numbers — it is about judgment, perspective and helping clients make confident decisions when the stakes are high,” Anant said. “I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from the Los Angeles Business Journal and ACG Los Angeles. It is also especially meaningful to see David recognized as a finalist. This reflects the caliber of our entire team and the trust clients place in us to help them achieve the best possible outcome.”
Beyond GHJ, Anant is the Global Capabilities Leader within HLB International, a global accounting and advisory network. He serves on the Board of Directors of Step Up on Second, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit committed to supporting people experiencing serious mental health issues and those suffering chronic homelessness.
ABOUT DAVID SUTTON
David leads GHJ's Transaction Advisory Services Practice, advising private equity firms, strategic buyers and privately held businesses on buy- and sell-side transactions. Drawing on extensive experience across both sides of the deal, he helps clients navigate complex diligence findings, anticipate transaction challenges and translate financial insights into practical decisions that protect and create value.
“The real value of due diligence is not in just identifying risks or validating financial results,” David said. “It is understanding what those findings mean for the transaction and helping clients make informed decisions. Having advised both buyers and sellers, I have seen how the right perspective at the right moment can make a meaningful difference in navigating complexities and moving transactions forward with clarity and confidence.”
The Los Angeles Business Journal and ACG Los Angeles awards celebrate M&A professionals shaping Southern California’s dealmaking ecosystem and supporting the area’s business community.
About GHJ
GHJ is a national independent advisory, tax and accounting firm that partners with businesses and nonprofit organizations to deliver clarity and confidence. Since 1953, GHJ has combined deep industry expertise with an entrepreneurial spirit to help leaders achieve their strategic goals.
GHJ is headquartered in Los Angeles and serves clients nationwide, backed by its own dispersed workforce. With nearly 300 professionals and 25 partners, the Firm provides senior-level expertise with deep industry capabilities in food and beverage, media and advertising, entertainment and nonprofit.
GHJ is a top-ranking firm in the U.S. and member of HLB International. Through this global network, GHJ offers seamless access to resources in over 150 countries while remaining fiercely focused on client success.
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