As a member of Turnaround Management Association, I promise you all good Turnaround Managers would echo this thought process. There is much truth to that. I am not taking sides, but rather relating the realities of my personal experiences.
Most owners have a very hard time rationalizing the expenditure for an advisor of any type.
Many companies have holes in their operational systems, procedures, controls, and planning, so large that the cost of implementing a fix pales in comparison to the ongoing losses. Some, I believe are even qualified to lend this advice, although a small percent of the total in my humble opinion. You must either have the courage of your convictions, or don't go in. On the other hand, this is rarely possible, in all honesty, in the beginning. Owner, the advisor can only talk in vague generalities in the beginning of a relationship.