The period immediately following the close of an M&A deal is a fragile one for customer relations. If you don’t address misgivings and fears, you could face substantial customer attrition — and imperil the value of your acquisition. Learn why customers depart following a merger and how you can create a plan to prevent it. […]
Retaining Customers After Your Acquisition Read More »
By Michael Cecere, CPAGray, Gray & Gray, LLP Do you know how your money is being invested? Or, if you are the one responsible for managing an investment portfolio, what assurance are you giving your clients that their money is being invested as they would wish? If you can’t answer these questions, you probably do
Having an Investment Policy Statement is… a Good Policy! Read More »
Before starting M&A negotiations, both buyers and sellers can benefit from setting a “walk-away price.” Consider it a safeguard measure. An amount below (for sellers) or above (for buyers) the walk-away price signals the end of merger negotiations. For sellers, anything below the walk-away price grossly undervalues the company’s assets and earnings, and suggests that
What’s the "Walk-Away" Price and How Do I Determine It? Read More »
Employee benefits can be critical to the success of an M&A deal’s integration phase. If handled poorly, the process of transferring and restructuring benefits might alienate key employees — and even expose buyers to legal claims. To avoid such consequences, review your target company’s current benefits package before the deal closes. In particular, keep an
Why Buyers Need to Pay Attention to Employee Benefits Read More »
How quickly can you sell or acquire a business? As with most major transactions, it depends. Once parties agree to merge, deals typically take six to 18 months to conclude. The selling company’s size and industry, the complexity of the transaction, and the buyer’s ability to get financing, among other factors, can all affect timing.
It’s About Time: Keep Your Deal Moving — But Not Too Quickly Read More »
By Richard A. Hirschen, CPA, CGMAGray, Gray & Gray, LLP The federal government recently announced that the nationwide unemployment rate dropped to 5% in October, the lowest it has been since 2008. Professions like architecture, engineering and design are not immune to the effects of the tightening pool of workers. Not only is it more
Protecting Your Firm’s Most Valuable Asset: Its People Read More »
By Richard Hirschen, CPA, CGMAGray, Gray & Gray, LLP Every year architectural and engineering firms spend money – lots of money – trying to generate new business and new projects. Your firm’s investment in marketing can run the gamut from advertising and direct mail, to a website and public relations, to entering design competitions in
Accounting for Marketing Expenses in Overhead Rate Calculations Read More »
By C. Joseph Ciccarello, CPA, MSTGray, Gray & Gray, LLP If you have built a flourishing chain of businesses over the years, your life has no doubt been focused on operational and financial issues related to the business. But it is essential that you also pay attention to your personal finances. In particular, you need
Has Your Succession Plan Kept Up With Your Success? Read More »
By Karen Timmermans, CPAGray, Gray & Gray, LLP “Should I buy my new car, or lease it?” Of the thousands of inquiries we get every year about corporate and personal finances, this question is among the most common, and is usually delivered with great passion and concern. The personal nature of choosing a new vehicle,
A Final Answer to the Buy vs. Lease Dilemma Read More »
By Paul J. Gerry, Jr., CPA, PFS Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP If you’re like most American businesses, you use an accounting application that is housed and accessed on-site. Most likely that application is QuickBooks, which is far and away the most popular accounting application for small and medium sized businesses. And with good reason.
Is the QuickBooks Era Over? Read More »