Lesson 1Commercial and administrative compliance: licenses, food hygiene, health and safety, regulated authorizationsLearn how to check if the target business follows commercial, admin, and sector rules, including licenses, food cleanliness, health and safety, and other needed permissions to run lawfully.
Mapping required licenses and permitsReviewing food hygiene and safety recordsHealth and safety risk assessmentsSector‑specific regulated authorizationsConsequences of missing authorizationsLesson 2Documents to request from seller and buyer: checklist with required corporate, financial, lease, employment, IP and tax documentsThis part gives a practical list of papers to ask from seller and buyer, covering company, money, tax, lease, worker, IP, and regulation records needed for a strong due diligence file.
Corporate and governance documentationFinancial statements and management reportsTax, social‑security, and audit recordsLeases, property, and environmental filesEmployment, IP, and key commercial contractsLesson 3Employment due diligence: employee list, contracts, collective agreements, transfer obligations and information dutiesUnderstand how to check the workers' situation, including lists, contracts, group agreements, automatic transfer rules, and how to handle info and talk duties to staff reps.
Obtaining and analyzing employee listsReviewing employment contracts and clausesCollective bargaining and workplace agreementsAutomatic transfer of employees on saleInformation and consultation obligationsLesson 4Tax and social-security checks: VAT, local business tax (CFE), outstanding liabilities, recent tax auditsLook at how to check VAT, local business taxes, pay charges, and social security payments, find unpaid debts, and look at recent tax and social security checks that may show hidden risks.
Reviewing VAT registration and filingsChecking local business tax and CFE statusSocial‑security and payroll contribution reviewAnalyzing recent tax and URSSAF auditsManaging discovered tax and social liabilitiesLesson 5Accounting and financial checks: valuation of goodwill, stock accounting methods, recent P&L and balance sheet reviewLearn to look at money statements, value ideas, and accounting ways for goodwill, stock, and reserves, and use recent profit-loss and balance sheets to spot trends, odd things, and if earnings last.
Understanding the structure of the P&LBalance sheet and working capital reviewGoodwill valuation methods and driversInventory and cost accounting policiesIdentifying red flags in financial trendsLesson 6Environmental, real-estate and planning checks regarding the premises and permitted useLearn to check environment, land, and planning limits on the place, confirm allowed uses, and spot dirt, nuisance, or rule-breaking risks that could stop work or need fixing.
Reviewing title, easements, and occupancyZoning, planning rules, and permitted useEnvironmental reports and contamination risksHealth, nuisance, and neighborhood issuesRemediation duties and allocation of costsLesson 7Intellectual property and digital assets: trade name, trademarks, domain name, phone number and website rightsUnderstand how to find and secure IP and digital goods, including trade names, marks, domains, phone numbers, software, and site content, and confirm ownership, regs, and licenses.
Identifying trade names and trademarksDomain names, websites, and hosting rightsPhone numbers, social media, and listingsIP ownership, licenses, and assignmentsInfringement risks and brand protectionLesson 8Material assets and inventory checks: fixtures, movable equipment, maintenance records, warrantiesLearn to check if fixtures, equipment, and stock exist, their state, and ownership, look at upkeep records, and check warranties, leases, and loans that may affect the goods bought.
Listing fixtures and movable equipmentPhysical inspection and condition reportsMaintenance logs and service contractsOwnership, leases, and financed assetsInventory valuation and obsolescence risksLesson 9Lease due diligence: verifying existence, term, clauses on assignment, landlord consents and formalitiesUnderstand how to check the shop lease, confirm it exists and its time, look at transfer and control change parts, and spot landlord okay needs and steps for valid transfer.
Confirming lease existence and key termsRent, charges, and indexation mechanismsAssignment and subletting restrictionsLandlord consent and waiver proceduresLease renewal, termination, and optionsLesson 10Corporate and identity checks on the seller and on encumbrances affecting the fondsLearn to confirm seller’s identity, power, and right to sell, and spot burdens like pledges, liens, or grabs on business goods, making sure clean title and good transfer.
Verifying corporate existence and good standingChecking powers of representation and signingReviewing corporate decision‑making approvalsSearching for liens, pledges, and seizuresAssessing impact of encumbrances on the sale
