Check the story behind the presentation
A polished website, introduction or set of accounts can leave important questions unanswered. You may be considering a partnership, acquisition, investment or a relationship with a supplier whose claims need checking. PDC's business background enquiries help establish which parts of the account can be verified and which deserve further attention.
The value lies in asking the right questions before a commitment is made. An investigation is not a substitute for financial, tax or legal due diligence. It can add a focused factual layer to the work of your professional advisers, particularly where the people and business history behind an opportunity are important.
Choose checks relevant to the decision
We discuss what you have been told, what you already know and the potential consequences of an inaccurate claim. A proportionate brief may examine corporate history, identified business connections and inconsistencies in publicly available information. The availability and reliability of records differ by country.
- Does the legal entity match the name and registration details you have been given?
- Is the stated operating history consistent with the available records?
- Which directorships or connected businesses merit a closer look?
- Are there material gaps that your advisers should raise before you proceed?
Prepare the brief
Provide the proposed transaction or relationship, the exact company details and the names of relevant principals. Include the claims you would like verified and documents legitimately supplied to you. A company number is often more useful than a trading name alone, especially when several businesses use similar names.
Explain the timetable and any confidentiality requirements around approaching third parties. If an enquiry could alert a prospective partner to your interest, this needs to be considered before work begins. Tell us which checks your accountants, solicitors or internal team have already completed so that effort is directed towards the gaps.
Read findings in context
A report should separate verified records, unresolved discrepancies and matters requiring specialist interpretation. A historical business failure is not automatically evidence of dishonesty; a clean search is not a guarantee of future conduct. The objective is to improve the quality of your questions and decisions, rather than give an automatic approval or rejection.
Where an issue needs clarification, consider whether a documented explanation from the other party would resolve it before commissioning wider work. This keeps the enquiry useful and proportionate.
Questions you may have
Is this the same as a financial audit?
No. Investigative due diligence addresses the agreed background questions. Your accountants and legal advisers should handle financial assurance and specialist transaction advice.
Can you check overseas interests?
Discuss the countries and entities involved. PDC offers international enquiries, but local records, practical access and reporting times will affect what can be checked.
Can I start with free checks?
Yes. Confirm the exact company through the relevant official register and compare its filings with the information supplied. Our guides explain useful starting points and their limitations.