Summary: <a href="https://www.complianceandethics.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/turteltaub-adam-200x200.jpg"></a>By <a href="mailto:adam.turteltaub@corporatecompliance.org">Adam Turteltaub</a><br> <br> Mergers and acquisitions create stress, opportunity and risk both for the organization and the compliance team. In this podcast, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergiovleal/">Sergio Leal</a>, who until recently was head of M&A compliance at Ericsson along with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jan-sprafke-4a0007b4/">Jan Sprafke</a>, the company’s chief compliance officer, share their advice for compliance professionals in the midst of a transaction.<br> <br> They stress that the compliance team needs to be involved during the entire lifecycle, from target identification to due diligence to post-acquisition integration. This will help the organization avoid unanticipated liabilities and risks.<br> <br> To ensure success the compliance team needs to be embedded in the M&A team. Meet with the stakeholders regularly to ensure you are aligned with their processes. When you do, remember that compliance is just one piece of a very complex puzzle.<br> <br> Be prepared to move quickly. The <a href="https://www.complianceandethics.org/lisa-monaco-on-voluntary-self-disclosures-in-mergers-acquisitions-podcast/">DOJ amnesty program</a> for issues discovered in an acquisition has a rapidly ticking clock.<br> <br> At the start of an acquisition or merger, they recommend focusing on three areas:<br> <br> * The ultimate beneficial owner<br> * The operations of the business<br> * The already existing compliance program, if any, and internal controls<br> <br> Be especially vigilant if the acquired entity had some government ownership or government contracts. And, be very diligent if there is not a compliance program already in place.<br> <br> Listen in to learn more about how to be an integral part of mitigating the risks of mergers and acquisitions.
