Pre-Close Finance Merger Integration Plan
Covers all financial pre-close planning tasks. Accompanying reports — RAID Log, Milestones, Next 14 Days, and Executive Dashboard — reflect status as of T-60 (60 days before close). For the integration after close, see Day 1 M&A Finance Plan and 100-Day Finance Post-Merger Integration Plan.
By Joe Aberger
Before the deal closes, Finance has to know exactly what it's buying. Every number the board approved gets tested — quality of earnings is verified against true operating performance, five years of financials are analyzed, AR and AP aging is reviewed, tax returns are assessed, open audits are identified, and every contingent liability on the balance sheet is documented and quantified. While diligence runs, the team is simultaneously building the financial infrastructure for Day 1: the preliminary opening balance sheet, purchase price allocation, pro forma combined P&L, chart of accounts harmonization, synergy tracking framework with named owners, and every control, approval threshold, and bank signatory the combined entity needs to operate from the first hour.
Nothing moves to Day 1 without the CFO certifying to the IMO that billing is live, AP is funded, wire authorities are confirmed, integration cost codes are in the GL, and no open blocker threatens a clean close.