Due Diligence: Leveraging Today's Innovative Tools & Techniques for Securing a Good Deal

Overview: 

Today’s innovative technologies are empowering financial professionals to be more efficient and effective in the due diligence necessary for securing successful transactions. The M&A process has been redefined to ensure greater accuracy in valuations, and for improved decision-making on both the buyer and seller sides of the transaction. This seminar focuses on the full scope of the modern due diligence process, and shows you how to:

  • Apply the latest digital platforms and software programs, social media and other tools designed to speed up the due diligence process and enhance your chance for success in every transaction
  • Merge today’s innovative tools and techniques with traditional analytical and critical thinking methods to optimize the full scope of the due diligence process—from establishing the need for a transaction and the letter of intent, through post-closing implementation
  • Utilize multiple valuation techniques with the goal of determining fair valuation for the transaction, and possibly negotiating better pricing or terms
Objective: 

To provide CPAs and other financial professionals with the knowledge and skills to leverage today’s modern tools and techniques in performing successful due diligence. Through hands-on case studies and examples, you’ll gain the confidence to apply these tools for securing a good business deal.

Emphasis: 
  • Evaluating the decision for acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, etc.
  • Why acquisitions succeed or fail
  • Expansion of the definition and application of due diligence practices
  • Self examination of best strategy to meet your organization’s mission
  • Acquisition criteria
  • When to use intermediaries and outsourced expertise
  • Analysis of initial data
  • S.W.O.T analysis of target (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)
  • Preliminary valuation
  • Letter of Intent (LOI)
  • Schedule/manage the due diligence process
  • Assembling the due diligence team and establishing goals and timelines
  • Revisiting and confirming pre-LOI initial information
  • Using leading-edge software to perform synergy modeling, the financial audit and analysis
  • Detailed due diligence drill down to all functional areas:  Sales, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Operations, Product Development, Engineering, HR, Administration and General Management, Legal, etc.
  • Management team capabilities—lock in key personnel
  • Using due diligence findings to restructure a deal or build a positive culture post-closing
  • New valuation tools—software applications to build models for income, asset and market approaches
Bottom
Prerequisite: 

Basic knowledge of financial and operational auditing.

Preparation: 

No advance preparation required.

Level of Knowledge: 

Intermediate.

CPE Credit: 
8.00
NASBA Field of Study: 
Finance