DUE DILIGENCE

Due diligence is an investigation or audit of a potential investment to confirm all facts

Due diligence

As reviewing all financial records, plus anything else deemed material. Due diligence refers to the care a reasonable person should take before entering into an agreement or a financial transaction with another party. 

When sellers perform a due diligence analysis on buyers, items that may be considered are the buyer’s ability to purchase, as well as other elements that would affect the acquired entity.

The Due diligence takes different forms depending on its purpose:

The examination of a potential target for merger, acquisition, privatization.

A reasonable investigation focusing on material future matters

An examination being achieved by asking certain key questions, including, how do we buy, how do we structure an acquisition, and how much do we pay?

An investigation of current practices of process and policies.

An examination aiming to acquisition decision via the principles of valuation and shareholder value analysis.

The due diligence process (framework) can be divided into nine distinct areas:

  • Compatibility audit.
  • Financial audit.
  • Macro-environment audit.
  • Legal/environmental audit.
  • Marketing audit.
  • Production audit.
  • Management audit
  • Reconciliation audit.