CFOs at investor-backed companies will soon be tasked with leading their firm through a successful exit. In a recent webinar, Tom Pierce, Managing Director of CFO Advisory Services at Consero, and Steve Isom, CFO of Bloomerang, discussed why exit readiness needs to be an immediate priority, the critical role CFOs play in driving value creation during a transaction, and how CFOs can build the right team to balance day-to-day financial operations with strategic exit planning.
Why is Exit Readiness a Priority Today?
Exit activity is already beginning to recover from the inventory glut created by historically high interest rates. For investor-backed firms, it’s not a matter of “if,” but “when” an inbound offer will arrive. With exit pace accelerating, every CFO in-seat will soon need to be prepared to answer affirmatively when their CEO and Board ask, “Are we ready for an inbound offer?”
The Challenges:
1. Timing Uncertainty: Companies can’t control when an inbound offer arrives and put a deal at risk if they aren’t ready when it does.
2. Higher Standards: CFOs will face deeper diligence and tougher valuations compared to the 2020-2021 zero-interest era.
3. Operational Balance: CFOs have a dual mandate of overseeing exit preparedness and daily financial operations.
Before that question (and offer) arrive, exit preparation should already be part of the CFO’s daily responsibilities, as they’ll be expected to lead the transaction while overseeing regular financial operations.
How CFOs Can Get Exit Ready
To overcome these challenges, CFOs need to be strategic about beginning to present and tell the story of the business to an acquirer. Pierce and Isom provide a field guide for getting started.
Download our complimentary e-book on Exit Readiness Preparation to learn more.
