In order to evaluate a transaction as well as a target company, Financial Due Diligence (FDD) is a critical tool to explore and analyse the financial position of that company, the value drivers and dependencies, the internal systems and processes, and the risks and limitations existing and arising.
Although the Tax Due Diligence (TDD) can be separated from FDD, tax risks can significantly impact the market value of the target company. Therefore, we usually combine the TDD in the FDD to analyse the compliance of the target company. Particularly, in Vietnam, analysts conduct an FDD exercise by obtaining and reviewing extensive information (documents and data) of the target’s key areas including operations background, finance, accounting, tax and employment etc. to identify key findings, issues and risks of such company or transaction that an investor/buyer is considering to invest. Below are some specific items that an FDD may include:
· Business background and operations (corporate and ownership structure, organisational structure, key operations, products/services, customers and suppliers etc.)
· Financial Analysis (detailed analysis and comments on trading results (revenue and expenses), assets and liabilities, owner’s equity, related party transactions, working capital, cash flow etc.)
· Accounting compliance (accounting team, system and key process, procedures and policies etc.)
· Tax compliance (VAT, CIT, Foreign Contractor Withholding Tax)
· Labour & Human resources compliance (focus on PIT and compulsory insurances)