Achieving 100% SBA Audit Compliance by Clearing 3,000 Exceptions in 3 Months

Client Overview

A U.S.-based multi-strategy real estate finance company managing active loan pipelines alongside pre-close and post-close operations.

Problem Statement

The client needed to strengthen audit readiness while keeping core lending operations moving. Key issues included:

• A backlog of ~3,000 exceptions requiring clearance ahead of an upcoming audit
• Internal teams being pulled away from growth and day-to-day execution to manage exceptions
• Risk of audit penalties and missed submission timelines due to delays.
• Added operational strain from managing new loans plus pre-close and post-close tasks in parallel

Solution Provided

DPA supported audit readiness by driving a structured, high-ownership exception clearance program:

Full process ownership

• Took end-to-end responsibility for managing the backlog, reducing internal pressure and escalation load

Specialized execution team

• Deployed a dedicated team focused on clearing exceptions efficiently and consistently

Streamlined tracking and workflow system

• Implemented a structured approach to organize, track, and monitor exceptions through closure

Regular exception notifications

• Established a recurring notification cadence to ensure exceptions were flagged early and resolved on time

Outcome

• 100% SBA audit compliant within 3 months
• Reduced compliance risk through timely exception closure
• Resilient operations, with internal teams able to refocus on core lending priorities

Key Takeaway

• Audit readiness improves when exception management is treated as a structured operational program not an ad-hoc scramble
• Clear ownership, disciplined tracking, and consistent notifications can accelerate closure without disrupting core lending work
• A focused execution model helps lenders protect timelines and reduce audit exposure

Ready to get audit-ready faster?
Connect with Decimal Point Analytics to clear SBA exceptions at speed, reduce compliance risk, and build a repeatable audit-readiness workflow. Talk to our SBA operations team.