Simon Nichols
SOFTWARE – M&A AND DUE DILIGENCE INSIGHTS
Software M&A deal volume has remained stable but there are indicators of growth in M&A volume, largely driven by SaaS transactions, of which there were 2,107 in 2024.
Private Equity Backed Business
We work with Private Equity Investors and their portfolio companies. Creating value across the investment cycle.
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TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
Securing Private Equity investment puts your business on a fast-paced track for development and growth. Maximising value for your stakeholders.
PE investors typically look to invest over a three-to-five-year period. With a focus on value creation, you need to have the right advisers by your side from the get-go. Supporting you on a challenging but exciting journey. There’s no time to waste. Your advisers need to be proactive and nimble providing value aligned to your changing needs every step of the way.
As a PE backed business ourselves, we understand this context. Allowing us to “step into the shoes” of our clients. At Cooper Parry our DNA is all about working with fast growing businesses – whether PE backed, Owner Managed or earlier stage entrepreneurial. Private Equity is a critical part of our business. Not just an add-on. We’ve built a dedicated PE team, attracting the best talent out there. Providing you with a fully integrated joined-up service which understands your needs.
WHY CLIENTS LOVE US
YOUR GROWTH JOURNEY
Your business journey doesn’t end once you’ve got PE investment in place. It’s just a new and critical phase in the evolution of your business.
We provide services to a whole range of PE backed businesses. Our team focusses on supporting you across the investment lifecycle whether that’s with accounting and audit, tax or supporting you around M&A. Given our experience, our team are likely to have seen the issues you are facing before – providing invaluable support and insight.
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Over the years we’ve built strong relationships with many PE investors and alternative lenders. Our Deals team have significant knowledge and experience from working with the businesses they invest in, making CP a valuable partner. Forging connections and opportunities for both the investor and the PE backed business.
We know PE investors and their portfolio companies want to work with advisers who understand private equity. You need to know that your advisers have experience of helping to deliver successful investments. Adding value to the business during the investment cycle. You can be confident we’ll be your “true” partners through the entire PE investment lifecycle.
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ACQUISITION
We work extensively with both PE investors and their portfolio companies supporting them on both initial investments as well as subsequent buy and build strategies. Our Deals team works both buy and sell side providing M&A advisory services and transaction services covering financial, tax and legal. Our team works with many PE backed businesses who are fuelling growth through a series of acquisitions supporting them on multiple transactions aligned to overall growth objectives.
PLANNING FOR GROWTH
After acquisition by a PE investor, typically the demands on the leadership within the portfolio will change. You’ll be very focussed on delivering your business plan but at the same time also need to meet the needs of your investors which can involve significant increases in reporting needs and the development of new key performance indicators. Often during the transition, you’ll require additional support particularly in the finance area – we support businesses going through this transition by providing accounting support including interim cover as well as developing new reporting dashboards.
VALUE CREATION
Investing in key areas such as people, processes and controls as well as revenue growth and operational improvements is critical to delivering value. Additional PE investments in areas such as bolt on acquisitions may be an integral part of your business plan. Ensuring you maximise value as you execute your plans getting the right balance between short term strategies whilst positioning the business for the longer term is critical.
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
Your business will be focussed on executing your plans. Demonstrating your track record and demonstrating the value being created is critical to support the overall investment. Whether you need accounting support or an audit that adds value our team are there to support and challenge. We understand the key value drivers to support clients in presenting their track record in the context of PE investment.
When it comes to audit, we’ve created a process like no other, focused on collaboration and technology. Each audit is tailored for our PE backed audit clients and where they stand in the portfolio company lifecycle. We focus on the key value drivers and underlying earnings.
Ensuring alignment with what PE investors need. For example, reporting dashboards. We’re experts on the latest accountancy standards (both FRS 102 in the UK and IFRS) and making businesses more efficient. Alongside this expertise, we have a big team that makes quick decisions.
EXIT READINESS
Ultimately the investment cycle may culminate in the sale of your business. We’ll help you maximise value at the time of exit through planning ahead and supporting through our exit readiness assessment to avoid unpleasant surprises Our Deals team can work with you well ahead of a transaction, so you are properly prepared for the sale process. Getting this right is critical.
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We believe that one of the best ways to learn is to spend time with people who have ‘Been there. Done that. And got the t-shirt’.
On a regular basis we host informal roundtable events for both PE backed businesses, or those about to embark on that exciting journey and PE investors and alternative lenders.
We know from feedback that our guests really appreciate getting the inside track, sharing experiences along with insights on the M&A landscape.
Want a seat at the table? Get in touch if you’d like to be kept informed about our events.
KEY STATISTICS FROM 2023
PE BACKED AUDITS FOR CLIENTS WITH TURNOVERS FROM £15M TO OVER £1BN
0
PE BACKED CORPORATE FINANCE DEALS
0 %
TRANSACTION SERVICES DEALS INVOLVING PE
0 %
COOPER PARRY BOLT ON ACQUISITIONS TO DATE
0
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HOW COOPER PARRY CAN HELP
We provide services throughout the PE investment lifecycle.
Our Outsourced Business Services can become an extension of your finance team. Supporting you from pre-deal through to managing the reporting demands brought by PE backed rapid growth.
Growth through bolt-on acquisitions create a different set of challenges though they will give you access to new skills and capabilities. We’ll help you make sure that robust internal controls are in place to support growth.
Added to this we’re proud of the whole award-winning Cooper Parry team. Our culture and approach mean we create long lasting relationships with our clients. We have a breadth of experience across sectors and industries.
Our culture at CP is special. We pride ourselves in our staff retention rate and the average tenure within our team is seven years. We recruit and retain the best when it comes to our people. We know consistency is important to our clients. This is reflected in our Private Equity team.
M&A INSIGHTS AND SECTOR SNAPSHOTS
Alex Ydlibi
Waste & Recycling: M&A Round Up 2024
Circularity ambitions and new technologies, alongside cost pressures and evolving end-customer compliance requirements, have created an exciting backdrop for M&A.
Loren Docksey
MENTAL HEALTH & PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES: MARKET OVERVIEW
In the face of a strained NHS, there is a growing market for highly specialised independent sector provision across the spectrum of psychological services.
Loren Docksey
Healthcare Services: H1-24 Market Overview
The sector is navigating political change amidst the backdrop of strained public health services.
Simon Nichols
Sector Snapshot: IT Managed Services
Despite the economic turbulence marked by inflation and escalating interest rates in 2023, the IT services sector has shown remarkable tenacity.
Alex Ydlibi
SECTOR SNAPSHOT: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
“The professional services sector has seen a noticeable increase in M&A."
Loren Docksey
SaaS M&A Snapshot: Q1 – 24 Update
High-performing businesses with demonstrable growth continue to be sought after by investors.
Simon Nichols
PRIVATE EQUITY STRATEGY – BUY & BUILD
For a buy and build strategy to be successful, businesses need a clear and well-defined strategy, to deliver maximum returns and synergies.
Loren Docksey
M&A MARKET UPDATE – 2023
M&A Markets continue to show resilience in the face of a challenging environment.
Niall Chantrill
FROM TRENDS TO TOMORROW: HEALTHTECH
“Whilst the challenging economic climate has impacted M&A volumes overall, HealthTech M&A activity has remained stable in 2023, demonstrating the sector’s attractiveness to both financial investors and strategic acquirers."
UPCOMING EVENTS
1 minute read
FROM SEED TO SCALE: SUPERCHARGE YOUR START UP WITH EIS 🚀
- Tuesday 8th July
- 1-2pm
- Online
1 minute read
SCALING STATESIDE PART 3: HOW TO RAISE FUNDING IN THE U.S.
- Wednesday 9th July
- 1-2pm
- Online
1 minute read
FRS 102: Mastering The New Changes
- Wednesday 9th July
- 14.00pm - 15.00pm
- Online
1 minute read
FOUNDERS’ SOCIAL: SUMMER SESSION
- Wednesday 9th July
- 6-9pm
- Odyssey Bar & Lounge, Hoxton Square
1 minute read
THE MANCHESTER BUSINESS CLUB
- Thursday 10th July
- 9.30am
- Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
LATEST NEWS
REVIEWS
BSAP, JUNE 25
“Great communication.”
“Wonderful."
LAURA, JUNE 25
“Although the service we have received has been extremely good, there has been long delays in partner reviews.”
“We're sorry you've experienced some delays - let's work together in future to relieve these issues."
GARETH, JUNE 25
“Great relationship with Audit Partner and Audit Manager which means resolutions are reached quickly on difficult and complex issues. The accounts are put together in an efficient and well presented manner. The audit team generally adopt a logical and pragmatic approach. Only real negatives were that Kennedy audit was a more a drawn out process than perhaps it needed to be. Reconciling the consolidated accounts back to the Cooper Parry calcs was complex and there were some small discrepancies. As discussed with the Audit Partner I do have some concerns on the level of fees.”
“Thanks for the feedback Gareth - we'll reach out again directly to address your concerns."
AATAP, JUNE 25
“Great conference, helpful team and super service. Thank you.”
“Brilliant to hear."
CHERILYN, JUNE 25
“The account were turned around quickly, and we were kept up to date with the progress of the audit”
“Brilliant to hear."
LUCIE, MAY 25
“Easy communication, always get back to me promptly, provide advice when needed, like the Inflo system very user friendly.”
“Fabulous Lucie, thank you."
HAYLEY, MAY 25
“The recent external audit and financial statement preparation were executed with professionalism and thoroughness. The auditor team demonstrated strong technical expertise and diligence, ensuring the process was both comprehensive and transparent. Their approach to testing, particularly in collaboration with the ASCL PD team during the first week, was highly effective and contributed to a smooth progression of the audit work, especially given its proximity to the annual conference. One area of improvement would be the timeline planning. The current schedule presents significant pressure in ensuring all necessary work is completed within tight deadlines. We have already discussed the potential benefits of moving some of the audit activities forward and setting clear dates in advance. Proactively scheduling key milestones would allow for better resource allocation and smoother execution. Another area of improvement would be the team working with their internal colleagues to check the partial VAT and advise on the changes to make for the next financial year. Additionally, the format and content of the audit findings report received positive feedback from elected officers. Its clarity and structure enabled effective review and discussion, reinforcing its value in financial oversight. Overall, the service provided was impressive, and the auditors’ commitment to delivering a high-quality review is appreciated. With a few refinements to planning and scheduling, the process could become even more efficient in future audits.”
“What valuable, detailed feedback - most appreciated."
PAULINE, MAY 25
“Great team, fit well into our office, professional approach whilst both friendly and very supportive. Pleasure to work with.”
“We love working with you too."
MARION, MAY 25
“Communication was excellent and timely and the upload and action processes very smart and effective. Audit staff were friendly and helpful throughout the process.”
“Great feedback, thanks for taking the time to respond."
EDWARD, MAY 25
“Just very easy to deal with, all very relaxing to be honest!”
“'Relaxing' is such an amazing compliment! Thanks"