The difference between the first and second meetings.
By Marc Rosenberg and Peter Fontaine*
CPA Firm Mergers: Your Complete Guide
For now, let’s define the letter of intent as a written offer made by the buyer to merge in or acquire the seller. (A thorough definition is given later in this post.) It is a relatively short, simple, non-binding offer, subject to
- further negotiations,
- performance of due diligence and
- a formal vote by the buyer’s partners.
MORE ON MERGERS: Want to Merge? Ask for Data | Merger Prep: Getting to Know You | One Times Fees Is a Steal! | The Merger Process in 21 Steps | Looking to Grow Your Firm? How to Find a Seller in Four Steps | 13 Ways to Screw Up a Merger | 15 Can’t-Skip Merger Terms to Decide | 14 Keys to a Successful Merger | Mergers 101: When Negotiations Aren’t Really Negotiations | 5 Steps to Take Before Merging
Before the LOI Is Prepared
The first meeting was the “get-to-know- you” meeting. The purpose of this meeting was simply to introduce each firm to the other, give each a chance to “kick the tires,” get a feel for the personality and style of the other and to share some very basic information, all of which is designed to help each firm decide if they wish to go to the next stage.
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