FAQ

We offer a wealth of corporate data, including business profiles, financial records, ownership data, Ultimate Beneficiary Owner (UBO) data, and credit risk data for more than 50 million companies.

Our data covers a wide range of geographic regions, but our primary focus remains on the emerging markets, including the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific, where we have specialised expertise.

Our data is collected from multiple reliable sources such as governmental authorities, local commercial registrars, official gazette announcements, etc. It undergoes a thorough verification process to maintain the integrity of the data and ensures that it meets the highest standards of reliability.

The data is available in various formats, including CSV, JSON, XML, and API, allowing easy integration into different systems and platforms.

The frequency of data updates varies by country and jurisdiction. While most countries are updated monthly, some are updated quarterly or semi-annually.

Cedar Rose offers customised data sets tailored to meet specific business requirements. You can select the type of data, format, attributes, and update and delivery frequency that best suits your needs.

We offer data samples upon request. Please contact our sales team to discuss your requirements, and we will provide a sample data set to help you evaluate the quality and relevance of our data.

We have implemented a comprehensive suite of data cleansing checks to ensure the accuracy and reliability of our data. Our processes include rigorous validation to identify and correct errors, standardisation to unify data formats, and mapping to align information across different datasets. Additionally, our data is subject to translation/transliteration facilitating seamless integration and enhancing the overall quality and usability of the data.

Yes, we provide historical data. This data can be crucial for trend analysis, forecasting, and historical comparison. The availability and extent of historical data may vary depending on the data set.

We adhere to all relevant data privacy laws and regulations, including GDPR. We ensure that all data is collected, processed, and stored in compliance with these standards to protect the privacy and rights of individuals.

Risk management is the process of identifying, weighing, and prioritising risks to minimise their impact on your organisation’s financial and non-financial results (market reputation, brand protection etc.).

Consequences may include financial losses, reputational damage, negative impact on the brand, regulatory non-compliance, exposure to regulatory actions and fines, and a risk on business continuity.

Investigative due diligence is a comprehensive process used in corporate investigations to ensure that there are no major risks or undisclosed issues with upcoming business decisions. It involves a deep dive into the background and operations of an individual, business, property, or other subject of interest. This type of investigation can reveal a range of information, from unethical practices to illegal activities that may have been suppressed or hidden.

Investigative due diligence is crucial for making informed decisions and negotiating terms in transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, partnerships, and investments. It is typically carried out by our professional team which includes business analysts and fraud investigators with expertise in various fields, including combatting money laundering, Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF), compliance, law enforcement, business and accounting, international affairs and human rights.

The process typically includes:

• Background Checks: Investigating the history of the business or individual, including past dealings and reputation.
• Financial Analysis: Reviewing financial statements and records to assess financial health and stability.
• Legal Compliance: Ensuring that the entity complies with all relevant laws and regulations.
• Operational Review: Examining the management structure, supply chain, and manufacturing processes for potential risks.
• Environmental Impact: Assessing compliance with environmental standards and potential liabilities.
• Human Resources: Conducting employment and education history checks as part of an in-depth background check is a powerful investigative approach throughout the recruitment and selection process.
• Human Intelligence: Discreet approaches to well-placed sources within the business circle of the subjects to understand their general reputation, possible political exposure or involvement in red flags.

A due diligence investigation is conducted methodically, often by a team of experts, to ensure a thorough examination of the subject in question. Here’s a general outline of the process:

• Planning: Define the scope and objectives of the investigation based on the nature of the transaction or partnership.
• Data Collection: Gather all relevant information from various sources, including public records, financial documents, legal filings, and other pertinent data.
• Analysis: Examine the collected data to identify any discrepancies, risks, or areas of concern. This may involve financial analysis, legal compliance checks, and market research.
• Discreet Interviews: Conduct interviews with well-placed sources to gain insights into the operations and culture of the entity.
• Site Visits: The visits can be discreet site visits or managed site visits entailing a visit to the physical locations of the business to assess the operational realities and verify information provided in documents.
• Risk Assessment: Evaluate the potential risks identified during the investigation, considering their impact and likelihood.
• Reporting: Compile the findings into a comprehensive report that outlines the risks, opportunities, and recommendations for the client.
• Decision Support: Provide support to the client in making an informed decision based on the due diligence report, which may include negotiating terms or restructuring the deal. 

The depth and breadth of a due diligence investigation can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the deal and the level of risk tolerance of the client. It’s a critical step in any significant business decision to ensure transparency and protect against unforeseen liabilities.

Understanding the risk level of potential business partners involves a multi-faceted approach that includes: 

• Research: Conduct thorough research on the potential partner’s business history, market reputation, and financial stability.
• Credit Checks: Review credit reports to assess the financial health and creditworthiness of the business.
• Legal Compliance: Verify that the partner complies with all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Operational Analysis: Evaluate the efficiency and reliability of the partner’s operations, including supply chain management and production processes.
• Strategic Alignment: Ensure that the partner’s strategic goals align with your own, reducing the risk of conflicting objectives.
• Risk Management Strategies: Develop strategies to mitigate identified risks, such as contractual safeguards or insurance coverage.
• Continuous Monitoring: Establish a system for ongoing monitoring of the partner’s performance and risk factors.

By combining these steps, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the risks involved and make informed decisions about engaging with potential business partners.

Yes, Cedar Rose’s due diligence solutions offer global coverage. We provide a range of services including investigations, reports, professional background screening services worldwide, as well as customised services based on our clients’ requirements. Cedar Rose has expanded its coverage to include information on companies across over 250 countries, ensuring comprehensive support for international business risk assessments. This global reach is backed by Cedar Rose’s extensive experience and trusted resources, making it a reliable choice for due diligence needs.

The credibility of corporate information sourced for due diligence investigations is of utmost importance. The information must be accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive to ensure a reliable assessment of potential risks. Here are some key points that highlight the credibility of such information:

• Credible Sources: Due diligence investigations are conducted via approaches to the ultimate commercial authorities ensuring a broad and detailed view of the company in question.
• Regulatory Compliance: Information used in due diligence must comply with legal standards and regulations to maintain its validity.
• Verification Processes: Thorough research, including cross-referencing and validation checks, is conducted to assess the reputation and track record of the business.
• Specialised Datasets: Specific datasets, such as news media, company reports, and legal filings, are critical to the due diligence process and are carefully curated for accuracy.

Overall, the corporate information used in due diligence investigations is considered highly credible due to the rigorous processes involved in collecting, verifying, and presenting the data.

When evaluating potential business partners, it’s important to be vigilant for certain red flags that could indicate underlying issues. Here are some common warning signs to consider:

• Unrealistic Expectations: Partners who want more than they are willing to pay for or have expectations beyond what your team can deliver.
• Lack of Transparency: If a potential partner is not open about their business practices or financials, it could be a sign of trouble.
• Poor Financial Health: Reviewing credit reports and financial statements can reveal if a partner is in a precarious financial position.
• Legal and Compliance Issues: A history of legal troubles or non-compliance with regulations can be a major concern.
• Operational Inefficiencies: Inadequate management or operational processes can lead to problems down the line.
• Strategic Misalignment: Differing long-term goals and strategies can cause conflicts and hinder collaboration.
• Reputation: Negative market reputation or poor reviews from previous partners can be indicative of potential issues.
• Ideas Without Execution: Partners who are all about grand ideas but lack the ability to execute them can be a liability.

It is crucial to approach due diligence with a critical eye and uncover any potential risks or issues that may not be immediately apparent. By being aware of these red flags, you can better protect your interests and ensure a more fruitful partnership.

Technology plays a crucial role in assessing partner risks by providing tools and frameworks that help organizations understand, manage, and mitigate the risks associated with their business partners.

At Cedar Rose, we pay extreme attention to enabling our clients to assess the risk of the subject under investigation, whether a company or a person, via our automated Risk Indicators’ methodology.

This methodology assesses the companies and individuals risk up against a pool of risks via the usage of complex algorithms. The final assessment allows our client to understand whether the subject under investigation is assessed as a low, medium or high-risk subject.

Risk assessment is a critical component of business operations, and technology has significantly enhanced the ability to evaluate and manage these risks. A real-world example that illustrates the importance of thorough risk assessment involves the energy giant Enron.

Enron’s Collapse: One of the most notorious corporate scandals in history, resulting from widespread accounting fraud and unethical business practices. Enron Corporation, an American energy, commodities, and services company was once a titan in the sector, but it collapsed in late 2001 due to fraudulent practices and accounting scandals. The company’s downfall can be partly attributed to a failure in risk assessment, both internally and by its business partners, including its auditing firm Arthur Andersen (which was one of the five largest audit and accountancy partnerships in the world and was later dissolved). Enron’s complex financial statements and the use of off-the-books special purpose entities (SPEs) were not properly scrutinised, leading to a significant overstatement of profits and underreporting of liabilities. The scandal prompted major regulatory reforms, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to improve corporate transparency and accountability.

How can a due diligence process prevent corporate scandals like Enron’s?

A standard due diligence process can prevent corporate scandals by thoroughly assessing a company's financial records, governance structures, and ethical practices. It involves detailed financial analysis including tracing financial transactions by investigating supply chains to detect irregularities, evaluation of compliance with laws and regulations, and identification of potential risks. Due diligence helps identify and mitigate issues early by promoting transparency, enforcing strong governance and ethical standards, and ensuring continuous monitoring. These measures enhance the company's integrity, safeguard its reputation, and ensure long-term sustainability.