Due diligence

Any entity entering a transaction with another, such as an acquisition, a purchase, a partial investment, a partnership in a project or a business alliance, must make sure that all the assumptions and data behind the transaction are accurate. Due diligence gives both parties an appropriate level of confidence through analysis and verification of the financial, commercial, operational and strategic aspects.

The service is most often needed for mergers and acquisitions, to give the parties assurance that the transaction is accurate and that the terms of sale or purchase match the intended agreement. Where a technical or legal investigation is also needed, we act as general adviser and nominate the necessary professional and technical advisers.

When a client has a potential sale or purchase, we investigate or audit the potential investment to confirm all material facts and prevent surprises that could harm the client's business. We make sure that:

• Financial values are consistent with the financial statements (financial position, income statement and cash flows) and with the assets and liabilities they reflect
• The nature of the business, realisable profits, future cash flows, and operational and strategic issues fit together
• The structure of the financial transaction is sound

Our consultants help you understand the business, entity or project in question, increase the likelihood of achieving the transaction's objectives, and identify the critical success factors behind the right investment decision: the strengths to rely on, the weaknesses, and the best options to address them.