Publication
Navigating the Nuances of Investment Due Diligence
https://www.toptal.com/finance/due-diligence-consultants/investment-due-diligence
Stela is available for hire
Hire StelaStela Ivancheva
Verified Expert in Finance
Finance Expert
Location
Sofia, Bulgaria
Toptal Member Since
September 5, 2017
Stela has 15+ years of cross-border M&A experience in Southeastern Europe working for EY’s Transaction Advisory and the investment banking arm of Raiffeisenbank. She's worked on a $990 million acquisition by Telenor, a $400 million acquisition by a TV group, and a $195 million disposal by Advent International among numerous other deals. She enjoys freelancing as a way to leverage her M&A and financial analysis expertise for clients worldwide.
Career Highlights
Director
Baker Tilly Klitou and Partners Ltd.
Associate Director
Raiffeisenbank International A.G.
Senior Manager
Ernst & Young Bulgaria EOOD
Education Highlights
Bachelor's Degree
American University in Bulgaria
Certification Highlights
Valuer of Intellectual Property and Other Intangibles
Chamber of Independent Valuers in Bulgaria
Valuer of Commercial Enterprises and Receivables
Chamber of Independent Valuers in Bulgaria
Case Studies
Industry Expertise
Software Expertise
Other Expertise
Work Experience
Director
2016 - PRESENT
Baker Tilly Klitou and Partners Ltd.
- Led the sell-side and buy-side financial due diligence projects in the financial services, hospitality, and manufacturing industries, in Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus.
- Conducted the forensic investigation of a failed top five Bulgarian bank, helping the attorney general build its case against the bank’s directors. The investigative report was included in the body of evidence presented in court where hearings started in May 2018.
- Acted as the project manager and key client contact in an advisory project for a Cypriot bank on non-performing loan portfolio management. Analyzed the non-performing debtors and developed a decision tree for a redesigned workout process.
- Advised two banks on the implementation of IFRS 9: Financial Instruments. Designed methodologies for calculation of impairment, drafted policy and procedures documents, and supported management in obtaining approval for the new processes launched.
- Performed the valuation of three companies engaged in the gaming industry for the purposes of M&A deals totaling $80 million.
- Completed several regulatory compliance exercises in the financial services industry to confirm that the businesses were adequately capitalized.
Focus areas: Financial Advisory, Financial Modeling, Corporate Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Freelance Consultant
2014 - PRESENT
Miscellaneous Contract Work
- Prepared a profitability and working capital analysis on an electricity trader with a turnover of $10 million on the request of its investors, who wanted to understand why the business was not generating cash despite reporting profits.
- Analyzed the value chain of a DIY retailer with a turnover of $45 million, with a focus on the terms of trade with its main supplier to help the retailer's investors assess whether those terms were fair.
- Compiled financial analyses included in the information memorandum for a Bulgarian bank with total assets of $90 million.
- Developed a financial model and an indicative valuation for an innovative startup based on a unique technology with application in the oil & gas and utilities industries.
- Prepared financial models for several startups, including a computer maintenance store, a service to provide remote medical consultations online, a summer camp operation, and a water bottling business.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Modeling, Business Planning, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Associate Director
2013 - 2015
Raiffeisenbank International A.G.
- Contributed as a key member of the sell-side advisory team in the largest M&A deal in Bulgaria in 2015, the sale of the tile manufacturer KAI Group by Advent International to Mohawk Industries for $209 million.
- Supported and facilitated the sell-side process for a Slovenian transport and logistics company.
- Prepared the information memorandum and the management presentation as part of the sell-side mandate for a Bulgarian internet service provider.
- Performed the valuation of a Bulgarian metal mining company with a turnover of $200 million for the purposes of reporting to the shareholders.
- Conducted market research on the Bulgarian electricity sector and prepared presentations on potential acquisition opportunities for strategic investors such as AES and Enel.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Senior Manager
2003 - 2013
Ernst & Young Bulgaria EOOD
- Performed the buy-side financial due diligence of the second largest Bulgarian mobile operator for Telenor, which subsequently acquired the company.
- Managed the prefinancing due diligence of the largest Bulgarian food production group, with a turnover of $40 million, for a mezzanine debt investor.
- Led a large team executing the buy-side financial due diligence of the Serbian incumbent telecom for Telekom Austria.
- Conducted a business plan execution review of a leading Bulgarian gas retailer and service station network for its main lender, ING.
- Played a key role in the vendor due diligence of a large Greek generic pharmaceuticals group.
Focus areas: Valuation, Corporate Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Due Diligence
Manager
2002 - 2003
Ernst & Young Audit OOD
- Led the statutory audit of Varna Port, the largest Bulgarian seaport with a turnover of $20 million employing 1,200 dockers.
- Supervised a large team in a cross-border project to audit the electricity distribution operations in Moldova of Union Fenosa, a large Spanish gas and power utility.
- Conducted an audit of a large Bulgarian non-ferrous metal smelter, part of a metal production group in Southeastern Europe.
Focus areas: IFRS Audit Planning, Management, Audits
Audit Supervisor
2000 - 2002
Arthur Andersen OOD
- Led the teams performing the audits of the Bulgarian National Electricity Company and the largest thermal power plant in Bulgaria.
- Performed key sections of the audit of a Bulgarian telecommunications company (incumbent telecom), including a review of core operating processes.
- Organized and personally executed the main procedures of the audit of an electrical appliances producer owned by an Israeli investor.
- Managed the audit of the Bulgarian operations of the advertising agency, Ogilvy & Mather.
Focus areas: IFRS Audit Planning, Management, Audits
Senior Auditor
1998 - 2000
Ernst & Young AFA OOD
- Conducted audits of several small and medium-sized companies engaged in manufacturing, telecommunications, retail trade, and other industries.
- Oversaw the process for the compilation of the financial statements of the audit clients.
- Coordinated the audits with the tax advisory provided by other departments within the firm.
Focus areas: Management, Audits
Other Experience
Education
1992 - 1996
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Applied Economics
American University in Bulgaria - Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Certifications
FEBRUARY 2017 - PRESENT
Valuer of Intellectual Property and Other Intangibles
Chamber of Independent Valuers in Bulgaria
NOVEMBER 2016 - PRESENT
Valuer of Commercial Enterprises and Receivables
Chamber of Independent Valuers in Bulgaria