What does a corporate financier do?

A corporate financier is like a Project Manager and will orchestrate the deal and the process, which will typically include the following:

• Business valuation from the base information
• Suggest options for the structure of the deal
• Produce a Heads of Terms document (HoTs)
• Funding search and identification of one or more relevant funders
• Preparation of the information required by funders including the media pack
• Identification and introduction of additional experts required to effect a transaction
• Introduction of additional team members/investors in specific functional areas
• Liaison with all parties involved
• Control and ongoing driving of the process towards a successful purchase completion

Do I need a corporate financier to support me on a transaction ?

The short answer is probably yes. If you have a capable external accountant who is well versed in buying and selling businesses, they can do a good job but a Corporate Financier’s role is exclusively to work on merger and acquisition transactions and therefore, this gives them a specific focus.

It is very important not to cut corners and select a partner to work with you based on price alone. Price is important but a proper assessment of what skills and strengths each party might bring to the table when supporting you will be very important.