When you’re heading into a deal, clean and defensible financials are what protect your valuation and keep the process moving. FirmKey gets your books deal-ready, from quality of earnings to due diligence support, through network partners who have sat on both sides of the table.
M&A Accounting Services for Every Side of the Deal
Whether you’re an owner preparing to sell, an investment bank running a process, or a PE firm managing a portfolio, the financials have to hold up under scrutiny. FirmKey’s network partners deliver the accounting support each side needs:
- Owners preparing to exit: get your books clean and your earnings defensible so you protect valuation and avoid surprises in diligence.
- Investment banks: give your clients a data room and quality-of-earnings package that keeps the process moving and buyers confident.
- PE firms: get diligence, close, and portfolio-company accounting handled without adding headcount at the fund or the portco.
Get deal-ready
- M&A and premarket readiness
- Financial due diligence (sell-side and buy-side)
- Data room creation
- Cash-to-accrual conversion
- Opening and closing balance sheets
Prove earnings quality
- Quality of earnings (QofE) analysis, including QofE-light and red-flag reviews
- Quality of revenue analysis
- Net working capital analysis
- 409A valuations
- Audits by qualified CPA firms
Execute and integrate post-close
- Post-transaction integration (systems, ERP, accounting software)
- Interim controller support
- PE portfolio-company accounting
- Add-on and bolt-on acquisitions
- Investor reporting, lender reporting, and board packages
M&A Readiness And Premarket Readiness
FirmKey’s network partners excel in preparing businesses for successful mergers and acquisitions through comprehensive M&A readiness and premarket readiness support. This includes strategic financial planning, due diligence preparation, dataroom creation, and ensuring that your financial processes, controls, and reporting are optimized for the transaction.
Pre-M&A Accounting Readiness
Pre-M&A accounting readiness involves preparing a company’s financial records and systems to withstand scrutiny during due diligence and ensure a smooth transition post-acquisition. This process focuses on accurate financial reporting, efficient processes, and minimizing risks associated with the transaction.
Due Diligence
A thorough review of financial records and systems ensures a smooth and successful due diligence process. This often includes preparing and receiving and audit.
Value Enhancement
A well-prepared financial house can help maximize the company’s value to potential buyers.
Post-Acquisition Integration
A strong accounting foundation facilitates efficient integration after acquisition and makes your business more valuable to potential acquirers.
Risk Mitigation
Identifying and addressing potential issues early helps mitigate transaction risks.
Audits and Audit Preparation
FirmKey’s CPA firm partners are highly experienced in guiding businesses through the audit process and executing audits as part of pre-M&A readiness. Preparing for and successfully completing an audit provides third-party assurance of a company’s financial health and accuracy, building confidence among potential buyers. A thorough audit can enhance credibility, support valuation expectations, and reduce transaction risks.
Audits conducted by qualified CPA firms.
Ensuring financial statements (income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements) are accurate, well-documented, and audit-ready.
Reviewing revenue recognition practices, expense classifications, and identifying discrepancies before the audit process.
Strengthening internal controls to maintain data integrity and enhance financial reporting accuracy.
Coordinating effectively with auditors by providing necessary documentation and addressing inquiries promptly.
Reviewing and implementing any recommendations or findings from the audit to optimize readiness for the transaction process.
Due Diligence And Quality Of Earnings Analysis
FirmKey’s network partners offer due diligence accounting and quality of earnings analysis, ensuring accurate and thorough financial assessments. FirmKey’s network partners have worked both sell-side and buy-side, because being able to articulate a business’s key earnings drivers is incredibly valuable. Whether it’s buy-side or sell-side M&A accounting, their expertise includes:
- Financial due diligence
- Sell-side and buy-side QofE analysis
- QofE light and red flag analysis
- Quality of revenue analysis
- M&A readiness
- Net working capital analysis
Specialized Accounting Solutions For Mergers And Acquisitions
FirmKey’s network partners offer transaction advisory services, deal structuring, financial valuation, and M&A tax preparation. They understand the complexities of M&A transactions and deliver tailored solutions such as:
- Internal controls for M&A transactions
- Transaction advisory for M&A
- M&A tax advisory services
- Cash flow analysis for mergers and acquisitions
- Specialized M&A accounting support for private equity firms
- Add-on and bolt-on acquisitions
- Diligence and integration
- Finance and accounting diligence
- Cap table work
- Pro forma analysis
- Restructuring accounting clean up
Post-Transaction Integration And Financial Reporting
Effective post-transaction integration is critical for M&A success. FirmKey’s network partners provide post-transaction integration and M&A financial reporting support, including:
- Systems integration
- ERP integration
- Accounting software integration
- Financial reporting compliance for M&A
- Customized financial packages for investors, lenders, and boards
- Investor reporting
- Board packages
Get Deal-Ready Without the Overhead
When a transaction is on the line, you don’t have time to recruit, hire, and onboard. FirmKey’s network partners plug in fast, no full-time hire, no recruiting lag, no onboarding curve, and no cost to get started. Get the M&A accounting expertise you need, exactly when the deal demands it.
Not yet deal-ready? See our M&A Readiness page.