DUE DILIGENCE IN VENDOR ACQUISITION
FINANCIAL DUE DELIGENCE IN VENDOR ACQUISITION
The main types of information typically present in the report include:
- A complete review of the vendor's historical financial information
- Quality of earnings – a summary calculation of free cash flows (FCF). Free cash flow is the measure of the cash flow the company produces after deducting the expenditure on assets.
- Risk evaluation – this encompasses capital structure, liquidity, and a detailed growth analysis.
- Debt – the vendor must be transparent about any contingent liabilities that were not disclosed in financial statements.
- Other issues – those that may be exclusive to the vendor or industry. This may include the influence of related-party relationships, complex international aspects to the company that may have an effect on transfer pricing or taxation, or significant changes in the regulations of the industry of the vendor
DUE DELIGENCE IN A INVESTMENT TRANSACTION
The due diligence of the target company
generally covers the following financial and legal matters :
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Minutes of Board Meetings and shareholder meetings
- Audited Financial Statements
- Contracts with Customers.
- Employment Contracts and employee benefits
- Pending litigations – for and against the company
- Status of tax assessments under direct and indirect taxes
- Property Title deeds, Software Licenses
- Licenses, Permits and regulatory approvals
- Review of long outstanding Receivables and realisability of other assets.
- Liabilities if any not provided in books of accounts
- Customer Information and Order book
Business, Acquisition Legal and Accounting
Due Diligence Checklist
Corporate Organization
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1. Review Incorporation Documents of the Company.
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2. Obtain Certificate of Status/Good standing for the Company.
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3. Review by-laws of the Company.
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4. Conduct a corporate review of the minute books of the Company.
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5. Focus on validity of major corporate actions.
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6. Obtain a list of countries and states where the Company is or should be qualified to do business
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7. Review partnership or joint venture agreements, if any.
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8. Perform asset searches in jurisdictions where principal assets are located.
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Public Document Review
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9. Review all publicly filed documents of the Company.
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10. Perform Internet searches in respect of the Company.
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11. Review all press releases and media articles relating to the Company and the industry.
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12. Review all management speeches.
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Financial Statements And Forecasts
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13. Review audited and un-audited consolidated financial statements of the Business and the Company and notes thereto and review any financial forecasts.
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14. Review monthly or interim reports prepared by or for management concerning financial or operating matters relating to the Business and the Company.
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15. Obtain copies of letters to the Company's auditors with respect to current, pending or threatened lawsuits or Company with respect to current, pending or threatened lawsuits or litigation or regulatory actions by or against the Business and the Company.
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16. Obtain budget projections or business plans for the Business and the Company and review with Company officials to determine any material changes in the financial position of the Business and the Company and compare past budgets and projections with actual experience in order to assess the accuracy of management estimates.
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Taxes
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17. Request copies of tax returns and any audit reports (federal, state or local) for the last five years.
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18. Note the date of the last tax audit and obtain a list of nay notices received or notices of assessment contemplated by Internal Revenue Service.
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19. Evaluate the effect of changes in tax laws, to the future operation of the Business.
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20. Assess any potential tax liabilities.
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Audits
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21. Arrange full "due diligence" meeting with the auditors of the Company to review and consider the following matters in respect of the Business:
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(a) the financial statements and financial forecasts;
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(b) any recent, proposed or contemplated changes in the accounting policies of the Company;
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(c) the relationship of the auditors and management concerning, among other things, access of the auditors to any necessary information and including any difficulties with any prior audit or reports on the financial statements;
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(d) the substance and resolution of any recent significant accounting policies or issues discussed between the Company and its auditors with respect to the preparation of the financial statements;
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(e) the adequacy of the companies internal controls and accounting methods with respect to financial matters, including their internal reporting system, the recording of sales and expenses and other matters;
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(f) the comments and opinions of the auditors with respect to the general fairness of the accounting policies and the presentation of the financial statements;
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(g) the function or role, if any, of the auditors in respect of the preparation and issuance by the Company of interim unaudited financial statements; and
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(h) the actual post-audit results relative to interim unaudited results or with respect to any projections, forecasts and budgets prepared by the management of the Company prior to the completion of any audit on the financial statements.
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22. Discuss the nature and scope of the review and examination by the auditors of the financial statements.
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23. Discuss the nature and scope of the review and examination by the auditors of any financial forecasts.
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24. Review and discuss any oral or written supplementary financial or management reports or letters to management prepared by or initiated from the auditors to the Company or its financial officers with respect to any aspect of the Company's system of accounting, financial reporting or record-keeping.
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25. Review and discuss transactions by the Company with any affiliated companies and the method of reflecting these transactions in such Company's financial statements.
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Real Property, Plant and Equipment of the Business
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26. Obtain list of all real properties, leased or owned, with description of use.
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27. Obtain and review title opinions on owned property including reviewing reporting letters and opinions from solicitors and others with respect to acquisition of such property.
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28. Obtain and review surveys on owned property. Review term, termination rights, rent, whether net lease, defaults, assignability, etc.
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29. Obtain and review copies of all leases for leased property.
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30. Obtain a list of physical assets tied to financial statements.
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31. Consider a physical examination of principal plants and properties.
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32. Obtain particulars regarding commitment by the Company for fixed asset additions and particulars regarding proposed capital expenditure programs.
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33. Consider reviewing any major encumbrances on or over real property and leases referred to above.
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34. Obtain a list of machinery and equipment and other personal property.
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35. Obtain a list of personal property.
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36. Encumbrances on or over personal property.
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Intangibles of the Business
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37. Obtain a list of all product names from the Company.
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38. Ensure all product names have been duly registered as trademarks of the Company.
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39. Obtain a list of all patents, trademarks, copyrights and tradenames so as to order searches.
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40. Determine the status of such patents, trademarks, copyrights and tradenames.
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41. Determine if there are any disputes or infringement claims regarding any of the foregoing or any intellectual property claims of other persons.
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42. Obtain a list of proprietary processes controlled by the Company.
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43. Review contracts granting or receiving licenses for intellectual property rights.
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44. Review contracts granting rights to future products developed by the Company.
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The Products of the Business
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45. Examine and operate each product particularly new products to assess appearance, function, design, etc.
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46. Assess the threat of obsolescence for each significant product line.
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47. Review new product and service plans and development progress.
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48. Compare the products with those of competitors, and assess the threat from new competitors.
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49. Perform an analysis of unproven technology, using experts if necessary.
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The Industry
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50. Estimate the size of the industry, present and projected, in each significant product line, and compare Business growth projections with anticipated market size for consistency.
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51. Review government and trade reports and trade literature regarding the market segments of the Business.
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52. Analyze competitors' SEC and other filings for unanticipated trends or developments.
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53. Review any internal or outside studies of the Business, the market and the products.
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54. Interview trade association personnel concerning trends of relevance.
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55. Assess the effect of macroeconomic trend (e.g., interest rate fluctuations, inflation rates, economic growth rates).
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56. Assess the comparative strengths and weaknesses of competitors in terms of the dominant competitive factors int he industry (e.g., price, service, performance, etc.)
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57. Determine whether research and development (R&D) expenditures are consistent with industry practice.
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Marketing and Distribution
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58. Evaluate the importance of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), present and future.
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59. Analyze each significant contract regarding contingencies, extent of warranties and other service obligations, rights of cancellation, etc.
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60. Check material contracts with customers for completeness, to determine existence of side written or oral commitments, or other terms that materially vary Business contracts.
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61. Evaluate the extent to which the Company finances any customer purchases from the Business and obtain a coy of documentation.
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62. Review model sales contract, sales representative agreements and dealer agreements used by the Business.
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63. Evaluate the adequacy of the distribution network, the degree of control over distribution, etc.
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64. Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing personnel.
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65. For new products, estimate the cost of introduction, and determine whether the cost is adequately reflected in cash flow projections.
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66. Assess the likelihood of discontinuation of products or services.
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Technology
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67. Review the research and development plans of the Business to determine whether any radical changes in product direction are anticipated and what cost burden will be imposed on the Business in coming years.
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68. Evaluate the effectiveness of research and development personnel and organization to assess the capacity for technological innovation of the Business.
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69. Review royalty contracts for contingencies, etc. and contact the licensees to determine the existence of any agreement or understanding that varies the terms of the contracts.
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70. Evaluate other professional affiliations of management or research and development personnel (e.g. academic) to assess the likelihood of competing claims on technology of the Business.
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71. Determine whether the Business's exports are consistent with export control laws.
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Production
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72. Assess ability of production facilities to handle anticipated volumes, and whether the cost of new plant and equipment is consistent with anticipated cash flow.
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73. Evaluate product and process obsolescence, and compare production facilities to those of industry competitors to determine future competitiveness, both technical and economic.
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74. Inquire into anticipated plant closings as well as plans for new facilities.
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75. Evaluate adequacy of management information systems and inventory control programs.
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76. Assess exposure from single source suppliers, and evaluate the contingency plans of the Business for responding to interruption of supplies.
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77. Contact major suppliers to determine their satisfaction with the Business, and their plans to retire, reduce, or raise the price of, key supplies and components.
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78. Review material contracts with suppliers.
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79. Review agreements, subcontractors and manufacture of the Company's products; any "private label" supply or purchase contracts.
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Other Contracts and Commitments
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80. In respect of all material contracts, review for assignability, enforceability, breaches and escalation clauses.
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81. Obtain copies of all:
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(a) franchise, user or licence agreements and ancillary documents;
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(b) franchise, user or licence registrations or disclosure documents;
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(c) government licences and permits;
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(d) warranties of products sold and warranty claim history;
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(e) contracts with and liabilities to insiders or other affiliates;
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(f) secrecy or non-competition agreements;
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(g) membership agreements;
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(h) powers of attorney and agency agreements;
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(i) contracts or arrangements which individually provide for the payment or receipt by the Business of, say, $10,000 or more, including but not limited contracts from purchase and sale of goods and services; and
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(j) all other contracts which materially affect the Business;
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82. Review proposed contracts or negotiations.
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83. Obtain all material consents of private persons or entitles required to be obtained by or on behalf of the Business.
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Acquisition Agreements Respecting the Business
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84. Obtain and review copies of all
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(a) acquisition agreements;
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(b) filings with government agencies made in connection with the acquisitions;
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(c) other closing documents for the acquisitions.
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Management and Employees of the Business
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85. Investigate the prior experience of management and directors in the same industry and the same size company, their experience with large firms etc. Also investigate their reputation in the industry.
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86. Review prior transactions between the Business and insiders for fairness, propriety, full disclosure, etc.
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87. Determine whether any significant defections from management are imminent and assess their effect on competitiveness.
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88. Obtain copies of all personnel policies.
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89. Obtain copies of all employee handbooks.
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90. Obtain a complete employee list of the entire Business, setting out names, job titles, addresses, age (where available), salary and length of service.
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91. Analyze written employment contracts with regard to:
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(a) name of employee;
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(b) description of position;
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(c) term of agreement;
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(d) salary;
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(e) special benefits;
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(f) severance obligations of the employer;
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92. Obtain copies of any agreements which employees are required to sign:
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(a) confidentiality agreements;
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(b) invention assignment agreements;
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(c) conflict of interest declarations;
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(d) non-competition agreements;
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(e) non-solicitation agreements;
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(f) agreement with governments or government agencies, including military procurement contracts;
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(g) agreements with competitors;
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(h) and any other agreements with employees, such as loan agreements, consulting agreements.
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93. Obtain a description of all pending labour disputes or disputes within past five years.
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94. Obtain copies of all current labour contracts, including any collective bargaining agreements.
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95. Obtain copies of any pending applications for union certification, labour board proceedings, outstanding grievances or arbitration awards.
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96. Obtain copies of any outstanding complaints under the Human Rights legislation.
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97. Obtain sample employment applications.
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98. Obtain copies of forms used for evaluation of applicants including written instructions to all persons who interview applicants.
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99. Obtain copies of pre-employment tests.
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100. Obtain copies of any complaints, proceedings or orders under applicable affirmative action or pay equity legislation.
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101. Obtain copies of most recent affirmative action plan.
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102. Obtain copies of material safety sheets.
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103. Obtain sample copies of educational material distributed to employees in compliance with Health and Safety Act legislation.
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104. Obtain copies of Health and Safety reports filed with government authorities in the last 12 months.
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105. Obtain a summary of all worker's compensation claims in last 12 months.
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106. Obtain summary of current:
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(a) vacation plan
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(b) paid holiday
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(c) bonus plans
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(d) commission payment plan
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(e) overtime pay
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(f) shift differentials
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(g) sick pay
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(h) personal days
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(i) paid funeral or bereavement leave
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(j) work clothing benefits
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(k) housing arrangement
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(l) other
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107. Consider whether the transaction is likely to result in the loss of key employees to retirement.
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108. Assess the adequacy of the labour supply for each operation division.
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Benefit Plans of the Business
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109. Review management, employment, incentive, deferred compensation and bonus agreements.
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110. Review employee health and welfare plans, whether insured or uninsured.
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111. Review each tax-qualified retirement plan and any related trust or insurance contracts including but not limited to any fully funded non-contributory employee pension plan, any key management incentive plan and any investment savings and profit sharing plan (as amended to date).
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112. Review the two most recent actuarial valuation reports.
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113. Review the most recent Summary Plan Description for each employee-benefit plan.
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114. Review the three most recent Annual Financial Reports and summary annual reports (including all supporting schedules and audit reports) for each employee-benefit plan.
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115. Review documents relating to union employees' participation in any multi-employer pension plan.
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116. Review correspondence with Internal Revenue Service concerning ongoing planned audits or pending determination reports.
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Stock Option/Purchase Plans
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117. Determine if any stock option or purchase plans exist for officers or employees of the Company.
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118. Compare the Company's stock option or purchase plans with those of competitors to assess the Company's ability to obtain and retain skilled employees.
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Insurance
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119. Obtain and review copies of all insurance contracts; list of pending claims, disputes with insurance companies or denials of coverage.
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120. Review any key-man insurance and present value calculation.
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121. Review product liability insurance, including description of claims history.
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Environmental Matters
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122. Identify where finished product, inventory and raw materials are being stored.
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123. Identify methods of waste disposal:
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(a) paperboard waste;
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(b) hazardous waste;
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(c) effluents.
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124. Determine whether they are any drums or waste buried on plant premises.
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125. Determine whether any plants are subject to an environmental compliance schedule, consent order or administrative order and whether any plant received notice that it is not in compliance with applicable environmental laws.
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126. Determine if any plants operate under an air or water pollution permit.
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127. Determine if any plants have underground tanks. If so, obtain a description of them including age.
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128. Provide general information about the age of the plant(s), former operations, prior land use, prior owners to the extent possible.
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129. Determine whether any environmental audits or assessments have been done. If so, obtain copies of reports.
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130. Describe the status of the environmental clean-up efforts in progress.
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131. Determine what steps have been taken to ensure compliance with the Environmental laws.
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132. Determine environmental problems, and what the Company plans to spend between (dates) on environmental matters.
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Government Regulations and Grants Respecting the Business
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133. Analyze all government grants as to amounts, repayment of principal and/or interest obligations, any conditions or undertakings in favour of the government as to the use to which funds must be put, or events which may trigger a repayment obligation and any rights of ownership in any asset produced as a result of the project funded by any grant.
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134. Determine all statutes and regulations to which the Business is subject and confirm, to the extent practicable, that the Company is in compliance therewith.
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135. Obtain all material governmental consents required to be obtained by or on behalf of the Company.
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Legal Proceedings and Claims Respecting the Business
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136. Review with the auditors and with officers of the Company any current, pending or threatened lawsuits or litigation or regulatory actions by or against the Company.
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137. Review pleadings and other documents relating to any such lawsuits, litigation or regulatory actions.
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138. Obtain opinions of counsel, if necessary, as to the likelihood of success of litigation and its materiality to the operations of the Business and consider the degree to which any losses may be uninsured.
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139. Obtain and review:
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140. a list of litigation and administrative proceedings currently pending or pending during the past three years and counsel handling same;
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141. copies of consent decrees and applicable injunctions, etc.;
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142. a description of all threatened claims or proceedings;
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143. copies of regulatory compliance correspondence;
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144. lists of any audits or proceedings conducted by Internal Revenue Service.
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