Information request list, explained simply
It is normally a spreadsheet with one row per request, recording priority, the responsible person and status. Financial requests usually come first, because they are on the critical path.
Most core financial requests are predictable, so sellers can prepare them before the process starts.
Sample request tracker
SamplePriority items are requested first so analysis can start in week one.
Velonix publishes a free FDD checklist (Excel) with request lists for six deal types, ready to copy into your request letter.
Core financial requests and purpose
| Request | Why it is asked |
|---|---|
| Monthly trial balances, three years plus year to date | Base data for all financial analysis |
| Bank statements for the same period | Test of recorded revenue against cash received |
| Receivables and payables ageing | Working capital and collectability testing |
| Revenue by customer and product | Concentration and trend analysis |
| Payroll registers | Owner compensation and headcount trends |
| Debt and lease agreements | Identification of debt and debt-like items |
| Budget and forecast | Comparison of plan with actual results |
| Items management proposes as one-off | Starting point for adjustments |
Worked example
The buyer’s team sends Alder Creek a list of 120 items, of which 15 are marked priority. The seller delivers those 15 in the first week, including trial balances, bank statements and ageing reports. QoE work starts immediately and the remaining items follow over three weeks.
Alder Creek Manufacturing, Inc. is a fictional company. All figures are illustrative.
Why it matters in a deal
The speed and clarity of responses set the pace of the transaction. Sellers who prepare the core items in advance shorten the process.
Red flags
- Items left “in progress” for weeks
- Responses that contradict data already provided
- Summaries supplied in place of source documents