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Due Diligence: What does this term mean in simple words?

Publication date/update: 11.02.2024
Due diligence is a pivotal component of comprehensive business analysis. Within the scope of such an audit, a businessman can fortify their relationships with counterparts and execute significant deals yielding substantial profits. Not all circumstances necessitate resorting to this procedure; in some instances, a simple audit suffices. However, if a client intends to acquire a business, a sizable real estate asset, or a land plot, we advocate specifically for due diligence.

The due diligence process empowers companies to accurately assess all risks and foster high-quality relationships with counterparts. In the event of litigation, lawyers can construct a robust defense of the client's interests. So, in which scenarios is it imperative to engage in this procedure? We shall elucidate in this article.

What is Due Diligence in simple terms?

The Due Diligence procedure originated in the USA, where brokers disclosed data about companies and securities on the stock market to investors. Today, the methods have evolved somewhat, but one aspect remains constant: the collection and analysis of data for an overall assessment of various risks associated with the investment process. Due Diligence aids in gathering accurate data and conducting expert evaluations of the collected information about the subject.

The procedure aims to verify the legality of the investment object's operations, as well as the commercial attractiveness of the future transaction. The examination encompasses areas such as accounting, personnel, and tax records.

Which transactions are suitable for Due Diligence?
  • 1
    Merger of two companies.
  • 2
    Division of two companies.
  • 3
    Securities transactions.
  • 4
    Sale or purchase of shares in the authorized capital.
  • 5
    Real estate transactions.
  • 6
    Dealings with counterparts.
  • 7
    Financing and investment.
  • 8
    Provision of assistance on a pro bono basis.
  • 9
    Any risky or substantial financial transactions requiring accurate information.

Types of Due Diligence

There are several types of procedures, among which the following can be distinguished:
  • 1
    Technical: In this case, a specialist examines project, technical, and even estimate documentation. It is most often applied in the construction and industrial sectors.
  • 2
    Environmental: Relevant for operations involving natural objects or land plots. Its purpose is to control compliance with the natural resource management system, which constitutes the surrounding environment.
  • 3
    Marketing: Conducted by specialists to understand the system of methods aligning production processes with the economic situation and ensuring a stable turnover of goods. This procedure pertains to the study of product and pricing policies.
  • 4
    Economic: Studies the economic and property aspects of the enterprise.
  • 5
    Tax: Most often related to the economic aspect. It is important to understand the company's tax burden and ascertain its history of interaction with tax authorities.
  • 6
    Legal: The legal assessment of a company helps to understand the risks from the legal sphere. This concerns potential litigation, asset disposal, and more.
  • 7
    Financial: Verifies the accuracy of the company's financial data regarding its business results. Essentially, it can assess prospects and financial risks for several years ahead.
Usually, Due Diligence is conducted concerning the following assets:
  • 1
    Real estate (residential, commercial premises, buildings, parking spaces).
  • 2
    Intellectual property.
  • 3
    Land plots.
  • 4
    The company as a whole.
Due Diligence can be commissioned by a company's management, a bank, an investor, a partner, or a counterpart.

The duration of the inspection is influenced by the size of the business undergoing scrutiny. If it involves checking a couple of assets within a transaction, it can be completed within a few weeks. However, for a comprehensive examination of a company within a merger and acquisition framework, one should not expect quick results. In this case, the inspection can last up to a year.

The Procedure of Conducting Due Diligence

Today, it is crucial for any businessman to manage risks effectively to make informed decisions. This will facilitate better financial management and enable the formation of a sound investment policy. To achieve these objectives, the following procedure is relevant:
  • 1
    Initial acquaintance with the subject: Information is sought from various open sources, including official websites and the Unified State Register of Legal Entities.
  • 2
    Evaluation of the scope of work.
  • 3
    Development of an analysis plan and verification program, detailing the stages and types of work.
  • 4
    An expert conducts the due diligence procedure, which involves a detailed assessment, analysis, and verification of collected data, accounting indicators, tax and financial statements, and various calculations.
  • 5
    Provision of important recommendations for risk reduction or elimination. This is reflected in an official conclusion (report).
  • 6
    Conducting face-to-face consultations regarding the completed examination.
  • 7
    If necessary, the report can be provided for review by experts.
The report on the results of the procedure contains data on the results of the examination from lawyers, appraisers, technical specialists, financiers, and auditors. Accordingly, at the end, either one consolidated report or three separate documents may be issued. However, any of these options is acceptable, as the business representative will be able to gain an understanding of the analyzed object/entity.
What should the report on the results of due diligence include?
  • 1
    Introduction: It contains basic information about the analyzed object/entity and the purpose of such an examination.
  • 2
    Data directly related to due diligence: Methods used in the work are outlined.
  • 3
    Potential risks: If there are risks associated with the transaction, they must be documented.
  • 4
    Conclusions: Specialists should draw conclusions from the situation, which may include recommendations or ways to address the crisis situation.

Financial Due Diligence

This type of examination should take into account the following aspects:
  • 1
    Financial indicators, including prospects for development and profit growth.
  • 2
    Dynamics of financial indicators.
  • 3
    Assets owned by the firm.
  • 4
    Condition of fixed assets. It is important to know about their suitability, wear and tear, and the need for renewal.
  • 5
    Verification of financial turnovers and business operation schemes.
  • 6
    Analysis of the company's income/expenditure structure over a short or long reporting period.
  • 7
    Verification of internal control over document flow related to expenses. Selective examination of documentation confirming expenses is necessary.
  • 8
    Verification and analysis of investments and the investment climate.
  • 9
    Evaluation of accounts receivable.
  • 10
    Conducting an analysis of stocks, including inventory.
  • 11
    Analysis of credit history.
  • 12
    Analysis of other obligations, including fines, presence of promissory notes, and others.
  • 13
    Presence of encumbrances.
  • 14
    Working with the company's balance sheet.
  • 15
    Identification and assessment of the company's tax risks.

Legal Due Diligence

This type of examination should consider the following aspects:
  • 1
    Analysis of the legal cleanliness of the property. This pertains to risks of third-party challenges.
  • 2
    Legality of transferring rights and obligations regarding this property in connection with the sale.
  • 3
    Labor relations within the company. The presence of all contracts, the level of corporate culture development.
  • 4
    Compliance with corporate legislation requirements regarding all areas of the company's operations. It is important to minimize the risks of claims during transactions involving shares or securities.
Legal scrutiny should fully disclose the complex relationships within the organization and with external counterparts. This is important from the perspective of assessing the business environment. Legal due diligence can be conducted in blocks, each of which can be divided by objectives and subjects of examination. What could this entail?
  • 1
    Examination of the organization of activities within and around the company. This concerns organizational structure, internal documents, staff composition, and various other aspects.
  • 2
    Financial commitments - the organization's ability to generate profit.
  • 3
    Analysis of the company's tax status to understand the tax burden and methods of its reduction.
The importance of legal due diligence lies in assessing compliance with various legislative norms - land, labor, and others. It is equally important to assess the company's position in the market to evaluate the competitive environment.

It is important to understand that legal due diligence can be conducted in a truncated format. The final scope always depends on the research goals. The examination primarily helps prepare for a significant transaction and mitigate the risks of problems arising after contract signing.

Who Can Conduct Due Diligence?

Essentially, the procedure of due diligence can be commissioned from certain types of companies. This includes consulting agencies, law firms, auditing firms, and others. In some cases, the procedure can be conducted by an external specialist. However, it is difficult for one entity to perform the entire range of procedures alone. For certain types of analysis, such as technical analysis, it is necessary to engage independent specialists.
What criteria should one consider when choosing a firm?
  • 1
    Long-standing experience and positive reviews that solidify a positive reputation.
  • 2
    High ratings based on authoritative research.
  • 3
    Presence of highly qualified experts on staff conducting various analyses.
  • 4
    Capability to conduct different types of analysis, including assessing the investment climate.
  • 5
    Ability to complete all work within the shortest possible timeframes. Typically, within a year, investment decisions and loan rates may change, making the work irrelevant after completion.
  • 6
    Smooth collaboration among multiple specialists in the team.
While it is possible to conduct the procedure using internal company resources, it is challenging. While it certainly saves costs, it carries several drawbacks. Primarily, employees may not be able to fulfill their primary duties. Additionally, employees may only handle the procedure if it pertains to a similar field. There is also the factor of subjectivity.

What can be said about risks?

In Due Diligence, the following risks can be identified and assessed:
  • 1
    Intra-corporate risks.
  • 2
    Risks of overestimating the book value of assets.
  • 3
    Legal and tax risks.
  • 4
    Risks of asset disposal and risks of being held accountable administratively or otherwise.
  • 5
    Risks related to human resources.
  • 6
    Risks of a transaction being declared invalid, for example, when a debtor transfers property as fulfillment of obligations after losing rights to it.

Cost of Due Diligence Services

There are various methods of pricing Due Diligence services, so prices for services vary significantly between different companies. In any case, conducting these activities is costly due to the high level of labor intensity, responsibility, and exclusivity for our companies.

Companies from the Big Four, which also deal with international law, set high prices. Well-known Russian firms typically operate in the mid-price segment while maintaining a good reputation.
DVP | Moscow
ООО „Dr. Voigt & Partner"
107031, Moscow, Petrovka Street, 27 , Room 1/5
info@partnery-audit.com
+7 495 690 92 62
DVP | Hamburg
DVP Audit GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
Erik-Blumenfeld-Platz 27 b, 22587 Hamburg, Germany
info@partnery-audit.com
Tel. +49 40 866 6740 Fax +49 40 866 67444

DVP | Los Angeles
DVP Consulting LLC
1401 21st ST STE R Sacramento, CA, USA