Bill Wiersema, a Principal with Miller Cooper, discusses the key components of acquisition due diligence.

Summary: Bill Wiersema is a Miller Cooper Principal, the Director of Costs and Operations Consulting, the Chairman of the Manufacturing and Distribution Industry Group, and a member of the firms audit department. In addition to audit services, Mr. Wiersema assists individuals and business entities with acquisitions, sales, and mergers of privately owned companies. (www.millercooper.com) Relevant Experience Mr. Wiersema has designed cost systems for more than 100 companies throughout the U.S. in dozens of industries including manufacturing, distribution, services, and printing. He has also prepared Fee Studies for local governments. Mr. Wiersema's M&A work includes conducting due diligence procedures, presenting findings to bankers and investors, producing financial projections for business operations, and preparing financing proposals and business plans for banks and investors. Mr. Wiersema's newest book is The Miller Manufacturing, Distribution and Retail Guide, which was published by CCH. In addition, he is the author of Activity Based Management: Today's Powerful New Tool for Controlling Costs and Creating Profits, an industry handbook published by the American Management Association, and Steps to a Successful Service Shop: Essentials of Financial Management. Mr. Wiersema has also conducted dozens of seminars and workshops on cost and management issues, including appearances before the Manufacturing Section of CPA Associates International. Education and Professional Activities Mr. Wiersema has been a contributing editor to Electrical Apparatus since 1994. His articles have also appeared in such recognized industry publications as Journal of Cost Management, Journal of Accountancy, Corporate Controller, and APICS: The Performance Advantage and Insight. He has also been featured in Emerging Practices in Cost Management, a compilation of the most recognized articles in the cost management field, published by Warren, Gorham & Lamont. Most recently, Mr. Wiersema has been elected to the Board of Directors of Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate in Economics from Northwestern University and before joining Miller Cooper, was a Graduate Fellow in Accounting at the University of Illinois. Mr. Wiersema is a member of the AICPA, the ICPAS, and the American Management Association. He is also certified by the American Production & Inventory Control Society.