Advisory Services

The overall approach taken by Irish Banks in assessing loan proposals has fundamentally changed since the global financial crises of 2007-2008. Banks are typically adopting a more comprehensive and centralised assessment process with a primary focus on understanding the sustainable repayment capacity supporting each proposal.

This assessment usually requires an appraisal of a business’s historical performance as well as financial projections addressing expected trends. Such an approach is being applied to both new facilities and restructuring requests.

At FDC we have an established team in place to assist our clients to successfully negotiate their debt with the various banks.

We understand the bank’s requirements and can liaise with the bank on your behalf to secure the optimum outcome.

Services include:

• Assistance with loan arrears and restructuring proposals
• Vulture Fund negotiations
• Assistance with new loan applications

FDC has extensive experience across a broad spectrum of sectors and business structures.
We advise clients who wish to raise funds or financially restructure their business. In addition, we provide advice and assistance with disposals, mergers or acquisitions.

Key Services include:

• Business assessments
• Business and strategic plans
• Banking proposals
• Cashflow and financial projections
• Due diligence
• Financial performance monitoring and review
• Direct negotiation of deal terms

FDC has developed a strong contact network of private equity firms, angel investors, corporate and business banking contacts as well as a wide-ranging client base actively looking for projects in which to invest.

The Employment and Investment Incentive (EII) allows individual investors to obtain income tax relief on investments made, in each tax year, in EII certified qualifying small and medium sized companies (“SMEs”).

The EII Scheme offers one of the few remaining income tax reliefs and is one of the last remaining sources of total income tax relief (including for example rental income). In addition, it provides the SME with funding at a competitive cost of finance and with no repayment due until the end of the four-year investment period. The current EII Scheme will run until 2020.

Since the establishment of FDC in 1973 we are recognised as the premier Agri accountancy and advisory firm in Ireland.

Our consulting services focus on our clients’ most critical issues and opportunities from strategy development to implementation.

We work with our clients to create and maintain a sustainable and profitable enterprise through increasing productivity, reducing costs or advising on change management and business transformations.

Our focus is to help farm and agri-business owners identify where improvements can be made in existing operations or advise them on planned investments, to achieve lasting and beneficial change for their farm and agri-business.

Our expertise in agri-business is unrivalled and our approach focuses on long term sustainability and innovation.

Agricultural Lending

SMEs remain the backbone of the Irish economy as family-owned SMEs account for 75% of all enterprises in Ireland and for half of private sector employment.

Operating as a full-service independent group for over 45 years, FDC has extensive experience in assisting generations of family-owned and family-operated businesses. We recognise that family businesses have strong cultures and unique concerns, measuring success differently – not just in terms of profit and growth.

Family businesses face unique challenges in relation to governance, ownership and management. Continuity remains a key challenge for family business as according to recent studies over 70% of family businesses do not transfer successfully. We support family businesses in managing transition, maintaining growth and minimising risk.

With the rising number of inter-generational family businesses, we remain proud of our commitment to family business sustainability and assisting future generations in the following key areas;

• Structuring/Restructuring the family business for continued growth
• Strategic Planning
• Succession and next generation
• Exit Strategies
• Wealth Preservation
• Financing the growth of the family business
• Successor mentoring

At FDC we recognise that passing on your business and developing your exit strategy is one of the most important business decisions for any entrepreneur.

We provide a comprehensive and professional service to assist our clients through this important process. Our aim is always to ensure that the value of the business is not reduced by your retirement and remains sustainable.

Ensuring that the process is as tax efficient as possible is imperative to preserve your lifetime’s work.

When setting up your own business, there are three possible structures you can choose to adopt:

• Sole trader
• Private limited company
• Partnership

Whether your business requires €10 or €10 million, there are only two kinds of finance: debt, which is borrowed and equity, which is traded for ownership of the company.

Apart from the basic decisions regarding structures, debt and equity you have many other issues to address including borrowing terms, available security and potential personal recourse. We at FDC can provide specialist assessment and advice on the appropriate business funding structure for both new and existing clients.