Financial Due Diligence FDD
The deep dive after your LOI
Once you’ve signed a Letter of Intent, the stakes get real. You need to be absolutely certain that the business you’re buying is as solid as
it looks – that earnings are sustainable, liabilities are disclosed and there are no nasty surprises lurking in the books. A thorough
Financial Due Diligence (FDD) engagement provides that assurance.
Why FDD matters
Unlike a quick review, FDD is a comprehensive investigation into the financial and tax position of the target. Skipping this stage can lead
to overpaying, financing issues or inheriting liabilities you didn’t expect. A disciplined FDD examines every aspect of the business to
identify red flags and quantify adjustments before settlement
What we do
Our process is structured in phases to ensure nothing is overlooked:
Phase 1 – Understanding the business and red flags
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Detailed document review: We gather and analyse financial statements, tax returns, bank statements and operational data to
verify accuracy and completeness
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Red flag identification: Early detection of anomalies, unusual transactions and off‑balance‑sheet items that could impact
the purchase price or feasibility
Phase 2 – Analysis and reporting
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Customised Quality of Earnings analysis: We perform an in‑depth QoE assessment, including cost of goods analysis and
multi‑year P&L review
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Growth and risk assessment: Evaluating past and projected growth rates, customer concentration risks, operating expense
trends and seasonality of cash flows
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Working capital analysis: Reviewing historical working capital patterns to prepare a normalised working‑capital peg for the
transaction
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Proof of cash: Reconciling bank deposits to reported revenue to confirm that cash transactions align with the financial
statements
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Tax and compliance review: Checking GST, PAYG and other tax obligations to ensure no hidden liabilities or compliance
issues.
Phase 3 – Delivering actionable insights
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Comprehensive report: We provide a detailed report with normalised earnings, working‑capital adjustments, tax exposures and
a list of deal‑critical issues.
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Negotiation support: We help you interpret the findings and use them to adjust price, terms or walk away if the risks
outweigh the opportunity.
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Post‑deal integration guidance: Recommendations for financial controls and reporting improvements to ensure a smooth
transition and protect your investment.
Benefits
Protect your investment
Identify financial risks, undisclosed liabilities and tax exposures before you close
Strengthen your negotiation position
Use our detailed adjustments to secure price reductions or enhanced warranties
Ensure financing approval
Provide lenders and investors with the level of analysis they require to fund the transaction
Plan for day one
Understand working capital needs and cash flow dynamics so you can hit the ground running after acquisition.
Who it’s for
Our FDD service is designed for buyers who have signed an LOI and need a comprehensive examination
before completing a purchase.
Ready to go beyond the sniff test?
If you’re about to commit capital, you need more than surface‑level analysis.
Book a Financial Due Diligence engagement with us to ensure your
deal is built on solid ground.