Managing in a downturn: integrated solutions

Integrated Solutions for Crisis Situations

In today's volatile market, Canadian companies face diverse challenges. Management teams need to be nimble enough to quickly identify risks and to develop plans of action, while still managing day-to-day business functions. Managing through a downturn requires coordination and insight across every function of your business.

Rapid solution implementation

Because the financial landscape can change very quickly, Canadian companies should not underestimate the importance of rapid solution implementation. How quickly you respond in a time of crisis could have an enormous impact on the overall success of your company in the months and years ahead.

How PwC can help

PwC understands that a global crisis requires a global perspective. Effective solutions demand a coordinated, tailored approach in order to maximize returns and minimize loss exposure. As industry specialists, the PwC team can help assess your needs and help you rapidly implement a plan of action by focusing on three key steps:

Evaluate

• Provide assessment of overall performance and priorities
• Review depth and scope of strategic, operational and financial needs
• Act quickly to identify major risk factors
• Identify industry team members with relevant experience

Stabilize

• Provide real industry knowledge to facilitate planning
• Develop plan of action for stabilization and crisis management
• Provide ongoing assistance to management and stakeholder liaisons
• Provide interim management bench strength where required

Implement

• Deliver on both financial and operational needs
• Pursue parallel-track approaches where appropriate
• Get to market quickly to deliver solutions or close transactions
• Mobilize internal and external resources to implement crisis management plans

PwC integrated solutions

Audit and Assurance | Corporate Advisory | Corporate Finance | Investigations & Forensic Services | Performance Improvement | Tax | Transaction Services

 Audit and Assurance

We offer experience with complex accounting, control, financial reporting and corporate governance issues. Areas of focus include:

• Corporate reporting, including IFRS
• Regulatory and compliance disclosures
• System process and controls
• Bill 198 and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance
• Risk management

  Corporate Advisory

Our team will focus on the stabilization and swift recovery of your business. We will oversee the turn-around process, help drive change and support decision-making. Key areas include:

• Options analysis
• Stabilization
• Restructuring
• Interim management (CRO, operational support, Board assistance)
• Stakeholder management
• Lender liaison
• Implementation of plan

  Corporate Finance

Our team offers an industry-focused approach that provides our clients with professionals who understand their markets and business attributes. Areas of focus include:

• Non-core divestitures
• Equity monetization
• Distressed sales
• Private debt placements
• Private equity
• Public company advisory
• Facilitating lender exit

 Investigations & Forensic Services

We provide qualified professional resources to identify and analyze vulnerabilities, investigate fraud, and advise on fraud risk management and mitigation. With our technical skills and hands-on experience, we can advise on the following areas:

• Fraud Investigation
• Forensic Accounting
• Fraud Risk Management
• Physical Security Reviews
• Intelligence Screening
• Anti-Money Laundering Investigations
• Foreign Corruption Investigations
• Securities Litigation
• Computer Forensics
• E-Discovery

Performance Improvement

Our team will focus on short term cash generation and P&L improvements across all aspects of your business. We drive revenue, reduce working capital, help to plan and execute operational restructuring, and bring our broad experiences in enterprise risk management and fraud investigations.

• Cash line improvement
• Working capital reduction
• Risk management — risk identification, assessment, mitigation and monitoring
• Short term cost reduction — SG&A, procurement, contract labour, manufacturing, asset optimization, distribution, contract billing
• Operational restructuring
• Distressed supply chain remediation
• Facility rationalization
• Treasury
• Fraud

Tax

Our team offers a deep understanding of regulatory requirements and tax implications, with extensive experience in implementing creative and complex solutions. We focus on:

• Foreign currency debt transactions
• Cash tax reduction or deferral
• Maximizing value of tax attributes
• Layoff and restructuring implications
• International structure or cash repatriation alternatives
• Transaction structuring

Transaction Services

Our independent financial advice can help you conserve shareholder value and maximize short term cash in today's unstable global credit markets. We can help you to:

• Compare strategic financing options
• Understand supplier aspects and possible repercussions, including current/future covenant and financial statement impacts
• Communicate in a clear and informative manner with board, officers, employees, the public and other stakeholders.

Our services include:

• Comprehensive cash flow modeling to help you understand current cash burn, as well as alternatives and contingencies
• Analysis of cost reduction plans
• Working capital analysis linking to cash flow needs
• Supplier, forecasting and net debt analysis