The Art of M&A Due Diligence, Second Edition: Navigating Critical Steps and Uncovering Crucial Data

Book excerpt: The most trusted M&A guidebook available--updated for today's extreme-risk world of business. Major financial scandals, geopolitical upheaval, technological advances, rapid globalization . . . The world--and the way business is done--has changed drastically in the 10 short years since the original publication of this book. As a result, the already tedious M&A process has become exponentially more complex. The most trusted guidebook of its kind, The Art of M&A Due Diligence helps you uncover problems and inconsistencies in an M&A deal while they're still manageable. You’ll find everything you need to mitigate all types of traditional risk—financial (key ratios, new GAAP-IFRS standards), operational (background checks, on-site visits), transactional (verification, checking warranties), and legal (intellectual property, environmental law). This new edition also addresses complications introduced over the past decade by including: New information about the use of electronic data rooms for due diligence New focus on the role of International Accounting Standards New tools for Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) compliance New regulations concerning the environment and social issues New case law of interest, including key decisions of the Delaware Chancery Court and Delaware Supreme Court The fear of risk in an M&A deal is rational, but it shouldn't prevent you from moving ahead. A well-conceived, carefully executed merger or acquisition can be extraordinarily enriching for both buyer and seller. This step-by-step guidebook is all you need to know where to look—and what to look for--when conducting M&A due diligence.