Mergers and acquisitions
For many businesses, mergers and acquisitions are an integral part of their growth strategy. The experts at Coexist can support you in the strategic decision-making process by providing independent and objective advice, specifically when it comes to planning, risk and opportunity assessments, and due diligence work.
The benefit of Coexist’s expertise becomes apparent, for example, when the accounting team examines financing issues, analyzes financial data and identifies potential synergies, when the legal team prepares and negotiates agreements, analyzes taxation issues and contractual obligations, or when the HR team devises an integration strategy after evaluating the existing talent pool. This is all done according to an informed, synchronized process that gives decision makers the most complete and accurate picture possible.
This stacks the odds in favour of the project—viable on paper—achieving the anticipated level of success.
Key areas of expertise:
- Strategic planning
- Business valuation analysis
- Development and drafting of disclosure documents required for the transaction process
- Support during negotiations and due diligence review
- Drafting or editing letters of intent, confidentiality agreements and other contracts
- Analysis of disputes, contracts, agreements
- Organizational culture audit
- Evaluation of existing teams—competency profile
- Potential synergies analysis
- Tax analysis and recommendations
- Post-merger or post-acquisition organizational structure audit and recommendations
- Getting approvals required for investments and competition
- Support in finding sources of funding and implementing the financing structure
- Development of the integration strategy
- Planning of internal communication strategy
- Coordination of human resource management practices
- Change management/li>
- Personal coaching and team building
Business transfer and succession
The transfer of a business—or succession planning—is a crucial step that requires careful consideration. It should take into account the interests, skills and strengths of the existing managers, outline the steps to ensure the new owners, whether family members or not, are properly prepared, and establish the optimal conditions for the current owners’ withdrawal, from a financial, taxation, legal, and human perspective
A Canadian study published in 2019 showed that as they approached retirement, close to 50% of family business owners still had no succession plan, hurting the new owners’ chances of success
For this type of transaction, Coexist’s accounting team zeroes in on the business valuation and financing structure while the legal team tends to the purchase agreements and other contracts. Meanwhile, the HR team focuses on coaching both the current and new owners, skills development and drafting an internal communication plan, to help ensure everyone is on the same page as they move forward.
Key areas of expertise
- Tax and estate planning
- Succession planning
- Business valuation and financing structure
- Review of legal structure and recommendations
- Drafting or review of financing contracts, agreements, and arrangements
- Drafting or review of the purchase agreement
- Coaching/training new owners and their team
- Coaching or supporting the current owner
- Skills development and management
- Team building
- Internal communication plan
Turnaround and restructuring
Ever-changing market conditions can have devastating effects on business performance and lead to problems that require critical decision-making.
In this type of situation, Coexist would provide support and help you examine potential solutions before making difficult decisions, allowing you to be as reactive and consistent as possible. While the accounting team performs a financial assessment and drafts a restructuring plan, the legal team would negotiate and draft arrangements with creditors, and the HR team would manage team building to quickly meet the conditions favourable to a recovery.
Key areas of expertise
- Financial and tax analysis
- Risk identification and analysis
- Organizational structure audit
- Development of a recovery or financial restructuring plan
- Sources of funding and support during negotiations
- Support in making arrangements with creditors
- Drafting or review of contracts, agreements and arrangements
- Development of the recovery strategy or turnaround plan
- Coaching and support for directors
- Team building
- Change management
Business startup
Initiatives to support small business ownership have recently been bolstered by the development of a vibrant start-up ecosystem. The challenges facing the next generation of entrepreneurs are nonetheless the same as before, with fewer than 50% of small businesses hitting the five-year mark, and less than 30% making it to 10 years.
Given this reality, Coexist’s “Swiss knife” approach promotes the long-term success of start-ups by covering every key aspect of development. The accounting team oversees the implementation of sound management practices using a financial dashboard, the legal team prepares the incorporation and shareholder agreement, and the HR team presents tailored total compensation, corporate culture and talent acquisition strategies
Key areas of expertise:
- Incorporation
- Drafting of shareholder agreement
- Drafting of standard contracts (employment, service, etc.)
- Implementation of accounting structure and chart of accounts
- Establishing performance indicators and financial dashboard
- Coaching founders and directors
- Support in defining the corporate culture and values
- Implementation of basic HR programs/policies (compensation, benefits)
- Talent acquisition strategy
- Trademark registration
- Bookkeeping
- Advice during launch and bank of hours for consulting as needed
Other services
From your tax return and tax planning to personnel management coaching and more, the three independent partner firms that make up Coexist can also help you meet everyday challenges. Reach out to us today!
Reach out