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Term Sheet to Closing: Finance Due Diligence Checklist for Indian Startups

What investors actually look at during Series A due diligence — and how CA firms can help startups prepare.

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May 04, 2026
Term Sheet to Closing: Finance Due Diligence Checklist for Indian Startups

Finance Due Diligence for Startups

Receiving a term sheet is exciting — but due diligence is where deals fall apart. CA firms that prepare their startup clients in advance dramatically improve closing rates and valuation outcomes.

Financial Statements

Audited financials for last 3 years (or since incorporation). If unaudited, investor-grade management accounts with a clear audit trail. MIS for last 12 months.

Revenue Quality

Investor will scrutinise revenue recognition: is it upfront, milestone-based, or subscription? Ensure revenue is properly deferred where applicable under Ind AS 115.

Cap Table & ESOP

Clean, up-to-date cap table in an Excel model and/or Carta. ESOP pool, vesting schedules, and any convertible notes must be documented.

Compliance Health Check

GST filings, TDS returns, advance tax payments, and ROC filings must all be current. Any notices or pending demands must be disclosed upfront — surprises kill deals.

Unit Economics

Prepare a model showing CAC, LTV, gross margin per cohort, and payback period. Investors will build their own model — give them clean inputs to work with.

Bank Statements

Last 24 months of all bank account statements. Reconcile to books. Unexplained cash withdrawals or round-trips are major red flags.

At Adeptix Global, our dedicated finance professionals work as an extension of your team — handling the heavy lifting so you can focus on client relationships and growth. Talk to our experts to learn how we can support your practice.

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Jinesh Pagaria

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