I doubt there’s a single DD-process in which customer data isn’t playing a central role. Trying to compile this data during DD is not only time-consuming but, in many cases, close to impossible. Make sure you collect comprehensive customer-related data as early as possible. Before DD begins, sellers naturally present customer information in the most favorable light possible. During the process, however, buyers dig deeper, wanting to see customer data from every possible angle

As a growth entrepreneur, you’ll likely face a private equity investment or a business acquisition – possibly both – at some point. In either case, you can’t avoid the DD (Due Diligence) process. Here, we’ll focus on what will be required from a financial administration point-of-view and why you should start preparing for it well in advance. The DD process is often the most laborious phase of a business acquisition or investment for the entrepreneur. During it, your company’s

Providing the financial data needed for a DD process is usually a piece-of-cake, and most of the information can be obtained from your accounting firm. However, there are a few things you should prepare for in advance. In a typical “light” process you’ll need financial statements from the past few years, including audit reports and notes, as well as detailed balance sheet breakdowns. You should describe your invoicing and revenue recognition policies and any changes to them,

All accounting firms can provide solid bookkeeping, payroll, and regulatory reporting. This doesn’t cut it for a growth company – instead, the financial management must actively support the company’s growth. This equals reliable profit and cash-flow forecasts, contiunous control, and comprehensive reporting. You won’t get competent support for these from a standard accounting firm. As a growth entrepreneur, you should expect the following from your accounting firm: They under

When preaching about profit and cash-flow forecasting I’ve noticed that sometimes the line between a forecast and forecasting becomes blurred – as if reliable forecasting only requires impressive forecast reports generated by a productizied system. This isn’t the case, of course: instead, a reliable forecast always requires high-quality forecasting. Understanding this is especially important for startups and growth companies along with their stakeholders including board membe