[Company Name]
Due Diligence Assessment Model: Scorecard
[Date]
Rating summary
Financial performance Brand value Business condition Prospects for the future Customers Competitive environment Human capital Quality of assets Structure of purchase transaction Other risks Total 9 4 2 1 4 4 3 3 5 4 39
Gray cells will be calculated for you. You do not need to enter anything in them. Note: The current due diligence ratings use a scale of 5 as highest and 1 as lowest. You can change the scale to another one, but make sure that it runs lowest to highest down the list data column.
Financial performance
Due diligence item What is the current year profit (loss)? What is the previous year profit (loss)? What is the current year revenue? What is the previous year revenue? What is the current year gross margin? What is the previous year gross margin? What is the 3-year revenue growth trend? What is the industry average growth trend? What is the revenue breakdown by product / services category, country and distribution channel? What is gross margins by products /services? Where is the most potential for growth? The greatest risk? What is the profitability and margin comparison versus the industry? Due diligence response The company reported GAAP net income of $20,100 with EBITDA of $28,000. Based on revenue levels, these figures are acceptable. Rating 3 2 4
Wht is the key assumptions for projected sales and operating cost by segment product? Discuss the Company’s relationship with its current accountants as well as any significant findings in prior years audits ? Does the company have pricing power? Why or why not?
Brand value
Due diligence item Can the brand be leveraged to enter new markets or to resist economic downturns? Are there there intellectual property rights (e.g. Trademarks etc.) for the domain names and product names? Provide an overview of the Company’s marketing efforts? Are a formal custodianship and an organization established to protect the brand? Can the brand be marketed globally? Due diligence response Rating 4
Business condition
Due diligence item What is the current cost of entry into the industry? Is this cost rising or falling, and why? Does the need for expensive fixed assets or other large capital expenditures limit our ability to compete? Are inventory and equipment a large part of value? If the business is service oriented, can it hold on to key talent? Why or why not? What does the Company perceive to be the major opportunities and threats for its business? Is this consistent with competitors’ views? Describe hat the Company considers to be its key strength and weaknesses? How does it address its weaknesses? Is there a strong culture? Due diligence response Rating 2
Prospects for the future
Due diligence item What is the industry outlook? Are the products or services differentiating enough? Will the products or services soon be outmoded? Has the company grown organically or by acquisitions historically? Can you continue with this growth strategy and can you do it better? If applicable, is the research and development program adequately funded? Is international competition emerging, or is it a current factor within the industry? What is the company's reliance on the overall economic conditions? Due diligence response Rating 1
Customers
Due diligence item Describe the Company’s customer contracts? Average size, after sales and service contracts characteristics, etc. Describe revenue per customer, how dependent is the company on few customers? Has the company experienced a significant change in turnover among its important customers in recent years? Is the company good at acquiring new customers? Due diligence response Rating 4
Competitive environment
Due diligence item How many direct and indirect competitors are there? What is the company's relative standing against its direct competition? What is the company's strategy versus its competition? Provide a detailed description of the Company’s key competitive advantages versus existing and emerging competitors? Are there specific costs, processes, or technologies that limit competitive entry into the market? Due diligence response Rating 4
Human capital
Due diligence item Do the company's products or services require special skills, education, or licensing? Is the work desirable within the job community? Are the environment and the culture considered suitable to the job community? How does the compensation rank versus industry averages? Are there a clear division of responsibilities between the senoir management and the Board of Directors? Are there a clear organization structure chart in the company which all staff are aware of? Do all staff have a role description including main responsibilities, tasks and goals? Is there a human resources strategy that promotes employee development? Are basic human resource compliance requirements met? If not, do the exceptions pose material legal risk? Due diligence response Rating 3
Quality of assets
Due diligence item Real estate: Are the location and the facilities suitable for the business? Machinery and equipment: What are the costs for repairs? What are the costs for deferred purchases? What are the costs for new investments short term? Due diligence response Rating 3
Structure of purchase transaction
Due diligence item Will the purchase of the company be highly leveraged? What liabilities need to be assumed? Is the company safely capitalized in its current condition? How do cash flow ratios stack up against the industry and competitors? Due diligence response Rating 5
Other risks
Due diligence item Is the labor unionized? Would critical staff remain if the company is sold? Due diligence response Rating 4
Are there any risks involved in assets or companies recently acquired by the company? What are the financial liabilities and guarantees (including terms of any lease, mortgages, third party debt and intercompany loans)? What is the general health of key personnel? Are there any recent casualty losses and to which extent are they covered by insurance? Are heavy government regulations prevalent in the industry, or is there potential for such regulation? Are there any current or pending material litigation, including employees, customers, suppliers, government –related etc.? Are operations unusually susceptible to weather, political events, or other generally uncontrollable events?
Due Diligence Analysis Chart
Other risks
Structure of purchase transaction Quality of assets Human capital
Competitive environment
Customers Prospects for the future
Business condition
Brand value Financial performance
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Rating
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[Company Name]
Due Diligence Document List
[Date]
Document list
Financial documentation Current annual business plan 5 years of audited financial statements 3 years of federal and state tax returns 6 months of bank account history Insurance policies Liability Workers' compensation Life insurance on key personnel Health coverage Documentation of recent claims Other Legal documentation Articles of incorporation Amendments to articles Bylaws Office leases Other facilities leases Equipment leases
Reviewed
Date reviewed
Notes
Yes
06/16/04
Formal business plan exists; includes financials, strategic direction, and resource requirements for year
Intellectual property Patents Trademarks Copyrights Trade secrets Strategic agreements Agreements with suppliers and vendors Selling agreements Special customer agreements Press releases or news articles regarding The company Competitors Suppliers The industry Research Industry publications Research reports Web site references Consultant documentation Other Available competitor information List of major customers List of major suppliers and vendors List of strategic partners and alliances Personal information about key employees to use for performing background or credit checks
Signed permission forms to perform background credit checks