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Corporate finance advisory for China deals and capital moves
Make high-stakes financial decisions in China with clarity. From M&A advisory and valuations to capital structuring, our corporate finance team provides the strategic insight foreign investors need to grow or exit in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.
MSA guides foreign invested enterprises through every phase of M&A transactions in China. From acquisition and divestiture to restructuring and joint ventures, we provide critical insights for informed decisions. Our comprehensive support spans the entire process, from initial identification to successful completion and post-transaction compliance. Leveraging our expertise in accounting, regulatory requirements, compliance, and taxation, we facilitate seamless entity setup, restructuring, and liquidation
Corporate Finance Services
Target identification: We provide focused target identification for M&A in China, delivering a curated list of potential acquisitions that meet your specific criteria.
Corporate Valuation: Our corporate valuation services across various sectors, assist with tax planning, financial reporting, M&A transactions, restructuring, and dispute resolution. These services include special purpose valuation, damage assessment valuation, intellectual property valuations, and asset appraisal for insurance and purchase price allocation.
Financial modelling and forecasting: Our financial modeling services specialize in M&A analysis, providing in-depth merger models to assess the financial impact of proposed deals. We focus on projecting key metrics like EPS, offering comprehensive insights beyond basic valuations. Our models deliver detailed financial statements, forecast projections, and crucial analyses, empowering informed decisions on mergers and acquisitions by evaluating the combined financial health and potential synergies.
Commercial and financial due diligence: Commercial and financial due diligence provides a comprehensive assessment of a target company’s market position, operational performance, and financial health. We dive deep into market dynamics, competitive landscapes, and revenue streams, while analyzing financial statements, identifying potential risks, and uncovering hidden opportunities.
Deal structuring and transaction advisory: We advise on optimal deal structures, considering financial, legal, and tax implications, to maximize value and minimize risk. Our advisory services includes negotiation support, due diligence coordination, and seamless transaction execution.
Pre-IPO Advisory and Reverse Takeover Advisory: We provide expert guidance through the listing process, covering regulations, detailed financial and business planning, and effective group structuring for successful IPOs. Our services extend to ongoing monitoring of your business, ensuring compliance with listing requirements through diligent oversight of operations, controls, and governance. For reverse takeovers, we identify suitable listed companies, offer negotiation support, and develop post-RTO M&A strategies to drive business growth.
Benefits of our Transfer Pricing Services
Data-driven decision-making: We leverage advanced analytics and predictive modeling to provide actionable insights and optimize financial strategies.
Long-term growth partners: We are committed to your sustained success, providing ongoing support and guidance beyond the initial transaction.
Proactive risk mitigation: We anticipate market shifts and regulatory changes, protecting your investments before they’re threatened.
Special purpose valuation
Accurate valuation of specialized properties, crucial for tax assessments and rateable values in both public and private sectors, demands a comprehensive approach. We analyze management, capital structure, cash flows, and asset market value, ensuring a strategic and research-driven process. Our valuation methodology includes meticulous planning, financial statement adjustments, value estimation, and going concern assessments. Leveraging our deep experience across Greater China, we provide expert special-purpose property valuations, support adaptive reuse initiatives, and manage property disposals and acquisitions.
Damage assessment valuation
Damage Assessment Valuation provides precise estimates of losses resulting from accidents or disasters, encompassing damage extent, replacement costs, and restoration timelines. Our expert teams, drawing from diverse fields, deliver tailored assessments for complex cases. Recognizing the unique nature of each situation, we meticulously consider all influencing factors to ensure accurate valuations. This individualized approach, combined with our extensive experience, allows us to deliver exceptional damage valuation services.
Intellectual property valuations
Intellectual property valuation is complex, influenced by market share, barriers to entry, growth forecasts, and economic lifespan. Our team possesses a deep understanding of these parameters, ensuring accurate and insightful valuations. We provide expertise in evaluating IP for mergers and acquisitions, asset identification and prioritization, informed financial decision-making regarding IP maintenance, commercialization, and sales, and assessing technology prospects before R&D investment. Furthermore, we assist in prioritizing research projects based on their potential value.
Asset valuation
We provide comprehensive asset appraisal services for both establishing fixed asset records and determining insurance valuations. We understand that accurate fixed asset valuation can be complex and time-consuming, particularly in contexts like Chinese joint ventures, where valuation disputes are common. We empower clients by facilitating control over the valuation process and ensuring the appointment of qualified valuators. Leveraging our economic expertise and thorough business and industry research, our highly professional team delivers precise asset valuations. This ensures sound financial records and supports effective business planning, regardless of your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a transaction, fund raise or restructuring in China? Below are the questions we are asked most often by foreign investors and Chinese founders.
What kind of corporate finance projects does MSA support in China?
We support buy-side and sell-side M&A, minority investments, joint ventures, business valuations, restructurings, capital increases, shareholder exits and pre-IPO positioning. We can act as financial advisor, project manager or technical support alongside your investment bank.
How are companies typically valued in China?
The most common methods are Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), market multiples (EV/EBITDA, EV/Revenue, P/E) benchmarked against listed peers in Hong Kong, Shenzhen or Shanghai, and precedent transactions. For asset-heavy businesses, net asset value adjustments are also used, and certain regulated transactions require a formal valuation report from a licensed Chinese valuer.
What due diligence should I run before a China transaction?
At minimum: legal, financial, tax, HR and compliance due diligence, plus background checks on the seller or partner and anti-bribery red-flag screening. Reviewing licences, related-party transactions and tax compliance is especially important given China's fast regulatory change.
How long does a typical M&A transaction take in China?
From signed term sheet to closing, most cross-border deals take 4 to 9 months, depending on sector, size, antitrust review, foreign investment approval and SAFE foreign exchange registration. Adding pre-closing restructuring can extend this further.
What approvals are required for cross-border investment into a Chinese company?
Depending on sector and deal size, approvals can include MOFCOM / Commerce Bureau filing, SAMR registration, SAFE foreign exchange registration and, in some cases, NDRC approval or antitrust clearance. Sensitive sectors on the Negative List face additional scrutiny.
Can MSA help us with post-deal integration?
Yes. Once a transaction closes, MSA supports post-merger integration on finance, accounting, tax, HR and compliance — including ERP alignment, chart-of-accounts conversion to group GAAP and building a local finance team. Consistent execution after closing is often where value is won or lost.
MSA is one of the most customer friendly incorporation firms in China. They took the time to understand our business and key objectives, then tailored the whole incorporation process accordingly.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
EOR & HR
Can Highly Recommend MSA!
MSA has been outstanding in providing comprehensive EOR services. Their team is incredibly knowledgeable about local employment laws and regulations, ensuring full compliance at all times.
RH
Rick H.
Verified on G2
5/5
Incorporation
Positive Experiences with MSA Throughout Whole Process
MSA was great to work with during the process of setting up our representative office in Shanghai. They were always responsive, clearly explained all required steps, and kept us on schedule.
JD
Jim D.
Verified on G2
5/5
Incorporation
Excellent Service for Company Incorporation and Compliance
We needed to set up a WFOE in China quickly to meet an important client deadline. MSA handled the entire process from start to finish, including registration, bank account setup, and initial compliance.
LN
Lisa N.
Verified on G2
5/5
Tax & Accounting
Help with Tax Matters in Malaysia
MSA's tax advisory team helped us navigate a complex cross-border tax situation between China and Malaysia. Their advice was practical and always tailored to our specific business structure.
VU
Katherine B.
Verified on G2
5/5
Tax & Accounting
Excellent Experience with MSA, 100% Recommended
From the very first consultation, MSA demonstrated deep expertise in Asia business services. They helped us restructure our regional operations for better tax efficiency.
VU
Jeanne Y.
Verified on G2
4.5/5
Advisory
Global Standards, China Know-How
We were looking for a partner that understood both international standards and local Chinese business practices. MSA turned out to be exactly that kind of partner.
TG
Tom G.
Verified on G2
5/5
EOR & HR
Entering HK and China First via EOR Then Setting Up Our Subsidiary
MSA helped us enter the Chinese and Hong Kong markets quickly through their EOR service, while simultaneously handling the full subsidiary setup process.
SS
Sinan S.
Verified on G2
5/5
EOR & HR
Our Experience with EOR Services Switching to MSA
Switching our EOR services to MSA was one of the best decisions we made. The transition was seamless, and we saw immediate improvements in both service quality and cost efficiency.
VU
Dennis K.
Verified on G2
5/5
Tax & Accounting
MSA Promised and Delivered Effortless Transition
When we decided to switch our accounting and compliance services to MSA, we were nervous about the transition. MSA made it completely stress-free with a clear migration plan.
VC
Victoria C.
Verified on G2
5/5
EOR & HR
We Did Payroll Optimization with MSA, Worked Like a Charm
Our payroll processes across multiple Asian entities were fragmented and inefficient. MSA consolidated everything into a streamlined system that reduced errors significantly.
CY
Chris Y.
Verified on G2
5/5
Tax & Accounting
Tax Declaration and Accounting Support, + IFRS Reporting
MSA handles all our tax declarations and accounting in China with exceptional accuracy. Their team also provides IFRS-compliant reporting which simplifies our global consolidation.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
EOR & HR
MSA Onboarded Our Team via PEO: Can Recommend Absolutely!
We needed to quickly onboard a team of 5 engineers in China without having a local entity. MSA's PEO solution was perfect — fully compliant and operational within 2 weeks.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Tax & Accounting
Our Go-To Partner for Solving Tax and Cashflow Issues
MSA has been our go-to partner whenever we face tax or cashflow challenges in China. Their proactive approach means they often identify issues before they become problems.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
4.5/5
Advisory
Dedicated Service Solving Issues
What stands out about MSA is their dedicated approach to problem-solving. When we had a complex visa issue for one of our employees, they worked tirelessly until it was resolved.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Tax & Accounting
Tax Optimisation in China
MSA's tax optimization strategies saved our company a significant amount in our China operations. Their team identified several tax incentives we were eligible for but hadn't been claiming.
WH
Wilson H.
Verified on G2
4.5/5
Tax & Accounting
Cost Savings Through Accounting- and Tax Restructuring
We engaged MSA to review our accounting and tax structure in China. Their recommendations led to substantial cost savings while keeping us fully compliant with local regulations.
ES
Edouardo S.
Verified on G2
5/5
Incorporation
Nanjing Company Incorporation
Setting up our company in Nanjing was made straightforward by MSA. They handled all the local government interactions, documentation, and registration processes efficiently.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
4.5/5
Tax & Accounting
We Liquidated One of Our Subsidiaries in China with MSA
Liquidating a Chinese subsidiary is notoriously complex. MSA managed the entire process professionally, handling tax clearances, employee settlements, and deregistration.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Incorporation
Excellent Help with Setting Up WFOE in Shanghai
MSA provided excellent support throughout our WFOE setup in Shanghai. They were transparent about timelines, costs, and requirements from the very beginning.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Incorporation
Establishment of Our RO with Guidance of MSA
We wanted to explore the Chinese market but were not ready to set up a full company. MSA guided us in making the right choice based on our company's activities and goals.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Incorporation
MSA Went Far and Beyond During Our WFOE Set-Up in China
Interest, response time, diverse cultural backgrounds, and assistance in different languages made our WFOE setup experience exceptional.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Tax & Accounting
MSA Set Up Our WFOE in Shanghai and Works from Our Accounting System
Clear advice and instructions during the setup. And the ability to work in our accounting environment, so we can easily consolidate the financials at headquarters level.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Incorporation
MSA Helped Setting Up Our Subsidiary in China
We saw business opportunities in China and were debating whether to set up a company. Due to the excellent guidance of MSA we were able to successfully establish our subsidiary.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Tax & Accounting
Our Go-To for China Tax Issues and Support
Responsive and proactive team that listens to our issues and comes with practical and quick solutions.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Incorporation
Great Support Setting Up WFOE in Beijing
Ability to speak Dutch, clear and fast communication, and guidance and advice along the way made the process smooth.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Advisory
Great Backoffice Support
They require very little input from our side, but if we need some clarifications, they are quick to respond.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Advisory
Fast and Easy Entry to China
Communication was very fast and easy, services clearly communicated. MSA made our market entry straightforward.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Incorporation
Starting Our JV in China with the Support of MSA
Knowledge, responsiveness, and cultural understanding made MSA an invaluable partner for our joint venture setup.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Advisory
Great Partner to Complement Our Own Service Portfolio
They add value to our customers while respecting that we are the primary contact for them.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Incorporation
Great Assistance During Company Incorporation in China!
Professional expertise and English proficiency made the entire incorporation process smooth and efficient.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
5/5
Advisory
Great Support in China
They cover also smaller cities in China, providing excellent support regardless of location.
VU
Verified User
Verified on G2
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