Business acquisitions and fraud: mitigating the risk

Vicky Richards (+44 20 7089 4930, victoria.richards@duffandphelps.com) is a London-based director in Duff & Phelps’ disputes and investigations practice. She has specialised in forensic accounting and investigations since 2004. Tjeerd Krol (+31 20 851 5164, tjeerd.krol@duffandphelps.com) lives in Amsterdam, where he is a managing director for the disputes and investigations practice. He focuses on forensic accounting, financial reporting and expert assistance in (commercial) disputes.

When eyeing up a promising business acquisition, the possibility that the target conceals a fraud is seldom foremost in the buyer’s mind – yet this eventuality could render the deal disastrous. Vicky Richards and Tjeerd Krol of Duff & Phelps set out some practical steps that purchasers can take to reduce the risk.